What’s up guys?!
I JUST got back from the Salmon Select Sale in Salmon Idaho! If you’re not familiar with this event, it’s a multi-day horse and mule sale that happens once a year in Salmon. This was the 46th anniversary of the sale! There were 130 horses and 60 mules for sale. This isn’t your ordinary auction.
Something For Everybody
The Salmon Select Sale has something for everybody. Although I typically ride English or in a trail/endurance saddle, I had a wonderful time watching all of the western events. They also had plenty of music and entertainment going on the whole weekend. There was even a wolf howling contest!
This Isn’t Your Average Auction
I know many of us have really strong negative emotions associated with auctions, but this is truly a one-of-a-kind event, and it’s not like any type of auction you’ve ever been too. Walking down the rows of stalls, you could see how well cared for all of these horses and mules were. Most of them were FINISHED horses and mules, meaning they were FULLY trained and ready to go. Some of them were already money earners in their jobs. This isn’t an auction that somebody brings their old nag to to get rid of.
This is the type of auction that people train their horses and mules for all year long for and bring only the BEST ones to show and sell. Prior to the auction, they have various competitions that you can enter in to showcase your horse or mule’s best talents. Potential buyers can speak with consignors and even try out the horses or mules they’re interested in.
Confidence in Shopping at the Salmon Select Sale
I didn’t buy a horse or mule at the sale, but if I was truly shopping, I wouldn’t hesitate. Many of the consignors have been going to this sale for years, and have reputations to uphold. Nobody wants to misrepresent a horse or mule only to have their reputation tarnished for next year’s sale. You can talk to people that bought horses and mules from the very consignors that are there selling. Everybody is friendly and happy to share their experiences with various sellers from over the years.
If I was in the market for a mule ESPECIALLY, I would be shopping here. Good mules can be few and far between depending upon where you live, so the Salmon Select Sale is a great place to see many good BROKE gentle mules in one place. People traveled from all over the U.S. to come to this sale in Idaho.
Salmon, Idaho- A Great Place to Visit
I didn’t know what to expect when we got to Salmon, but it is a REALLY cool little town. They have great restaurants, gorgeous 360-degree mountain views, the river, a ton of neat mom-and-pop places and plenty of friendly faces. Art, culture, music, horses and mules are staples in Salmon, and I can’t wait to go back next year.