"We arrived at the sales location on Beaulie Road at about quarter to 10am in order that we could see how the ponies where being
treated on arrival at the sales ground.
I am glad to report that all ponies where unloaded and taken to the pens with the minimal of fuss. I
think the aggisters are to be commended on there handling in fact.  
On walking pass the 1st few pens I noticed a cob of about 15hh in one of the holding pens that I was a little concerned about the condition of.
After raising my concerns with my friend, who was attending a horse sale for the very first time, we decided that we would come back
and see the horse in an hour or so once it had been booked in so that it could be identified with it's sale number. 
We then carried on around both the official sales site and the unofficial gathering that happens under the trees at each of these sales.
There were quite a few cobs pulling traps as you would expect at this type of event but I?m happy to say they where all in very good condition
and about 90% had hay and water when tied up.
I witnessed a few Shetlands changing hands within this area, at what I would deem a reasonable price, between £350 and £500 pounds. 
Back in the main sales area we headed to the pens to have another look for the coloured cob.
He had been registered as lot 147. 

 














As you'll see from the photos his feet and legs were in a bit of a state.
The poor boy didn't look as though he had ever seen a farrier in his life. He was only 2!
There where chunks missing from his hooves. They were severely splayed and he had sand cracks that travelled all the way to the coronary band.
His back legs were bald in places with what appeared to be either mud fever or mites.
I proceeded to go and talk to the RSPCA officers that were in attendance. 
He was able to tell me that he too, was worried about the cob but that it had been inspected by the on site vet and passed as fit to sell.
The poor man was very apologetic for the fact that he couldn't do more but his hands were tied by the law!!
He did let me know that he was going to write an official report to the auctioneers stating that they weren't happy with the state of the cob though.  
In further discussion with the RSPCA inspector I learnt that a well known local dealer wasn't in attendance
at this sale but some of his associates were! however they do expect him to be there on the 4th and 25th of September. 
We then spent an hour actually watching the auction. The ponies were going through at lower than I would have expected of prices.
The cheapest equine of the day was a yearling filly sold for 45 guineas. Most of them were making over 150 guineas though.
The cob went through the ring for 1400 guineas, a good price, and went to a local man who will care for him and sort his issues out, so that is good. 
Some more typical sales photos.

The two coloured ponies were so relaxed and having a lovely time.
They were being typical youngsters playing for most of the time.
They had the pen to themselves.
 
And so ends another New Forest Sale.
 
Report by T.L.