The whole auction starts at 5 pm per their website. Anyone know if they are doing the real estate first? Then the other stuff?
Real estate is supposed to go first
I have lusted after Bulgari Boy for 2 years, actually tried to contact them about him months ago when I was shopping. If I hadn’t recently bought a pony I’d take a chance on him. I’m sure/hope he goes to a good home.
I still cannot imagine getting to this point when obviously they had a crapload of money, how totally sad. Like they could not have done the right thing by these horses ages ago.
I’d be happy to try to answer questions if you pm me. I would guess none of the young horses are in any danger as there is a lot of interest. None of the colts are gelded. 
The 2 4 year old colts are started but only walk trot under saddle. Some of the 4 year old mares are as well but they weren’t shown under saddle. Yes some of the older as in 9 yr old mares are unsound. So only broodmares. But they should already be approved so should be fine if that is what you are looking for. The 14 yr olds really aren’t that old and should sell just for their breeding. Yes breeding records aren’t being released but none were re-bred because they were tired of doing it so I don’t know about breeding soundness being an issue but you never know. She said you could have your vet do a BSE on them but obviously too late now.
Lucena was so sweet. Didn’t see her move but she was a real doll but not started.
I am not surprised to learn that most of the males are not gelded. The Sims bred show dogs (Rottweilers, I believe) before they got into horses, and show dog breeders don’t castrate the males.
A couple of things - some of the horses listed as Oldenburg may be with ISR/ONA, while others (probably most of them) are registered with OHBS/GOV. The imported ones for sure are registered with the latter, and probably most of the older ones, as the Sims originally bred specifically for that registry. Ditto for the breeding approvals - most of the mares are probably approved by OHBS/GOV, although they may also hold approvals with ISR/ONA, RPSI, AHS, etc. Just pointing this out in case it is a factor for some folks.
[QUOTE=pamisioux2;6460040]
no success on getting any additional information from auction co or HLF on the training the horses have had, or on possibly getting additional health records/breeding records upon sale. Auction house, not unexpectedly referred me to HLF and they are not returning calls when I left a message. So sad as these horses all deserved better.[/QUOTE]
Meant to add - that is what I feared. The auction company may not be willing to say, “The leftovers are getting on a truck after the auction”. Without doubt, the next question would be “Where are they going?”, and they would not want to have to answer that question.
Also, HLF has always been very tricky to deal with. In years past, they would ask for advice and guidance, but then ignore much of that advice and do “their own thing”. And they also became quite suspicious that anyone willing to help them was trying to cheat them in some way. They had opportunities in the past several years to sell horses for reasonable prices, but they had unrealistic ideas of what the horses were worth. If someone offered $7500 for a weanling, they would demand $15,000. If someone offered $10K for a broodmare, they would demand $20K. If someone offered $25K for a young, unlicensed stallion, they would want $50K. Counteroffers were simply ignored - i.e., the prospective buyer would never hear back from them. And so it went…:uhoh:
I was shown two horses, (4-5 yr olds) and watched another being ridden by prospective buyer. Mixed reactions, PM if you have questions.
I am 99% certain all thier Oldenburgs are registered GOV. That was the only registry they used to my knowledge.
I spoke to Gloria that is from the auction company and got some information…
If you are planning on bidding from a distance and having someone else pick the horse up you need to give the driver an ORIGINAL NOTARIZED POA allowing the auction company to release your horse purchase to the driver.
Any horse that does not sell will still be owned by Highlife Farms. There may be the possibility to negotiate privately with Highlife Farm next week if you are interested in buying a horse that did not sell. Gloria was unsure what, or if, Highlife had planned for any horse that did not sell.
I thought I read somewhere in the auction co disclosure that is a horse sold after the auction (within a certain time period) they had to be notified as a comission was due.
[QUOTE=hluing;6460627]
I am 99% certain all thier Oldenburgs are registered GOV. That was the only registry they used to my knowledge.[/QUOTE]
I think you are probably right in most cases - maybe all. However, I believe HL did hold a few ISR, RPSI and/or Westfalen inspections there, so there is a possibility some of ones listed as “Oldenburg” may be ISR/ONA.
Did someone mention in this long thread the plan for hand-over of passports/registration papers? Do they get passed to the buyer at time of sale, or will they be mailed separately by HL or the Auction company?
[QUOTE=bluehof;6460874]
Any horse that does not sell will still be owned by Highlife Farms. There may be the possibility to negotiate privately with Highlife Farm next week if you are interested in buying a horse that did not sell. Gloria was unsure what, or if, Highlife had planned for any horse that did not sell.[/QUOTE]
Oh, I truly hope that is the case! I also hope HL is reasonable about sales offers!
They had a large number of mares inspected by AHS. I do not recall the year for certain, but I think it was around 2007. I do not know how many were accepted. I am so sorry for these horses. I am in the midst of retiring so many of my own that I can’t take on anything, but wish those who will be trying to help them land softly all the best. I can’t understand the mentality that has allowed this to happen. So sad.
It will be interesting to see how this auction goes.
There is one extraordinarily wealthy breeder posting on facebook that she’s already registered to bid online.
I’d thought this was a bank liquidation type of sale, but apparently (from what I’ve inferred from facebook) it is the owners of Highlife having the auction. This makes it more sad, to me. I realize some people have posted negatively about Highlife, but looking at the money they put into their horses and facility this must have been their dream at one point and they were ‘one of us’ (breeders), so it’s sad to see a fellow breeder go belly-up.
I’m about 99.9% sure I’ll be going tomorrow. I’ve been worrying about Cletus (the mini donkey) for a week. If it doesn’t look like there’s any interest in him, I’ve been given the go-ahead by the SO to buy him, assuming he’s relatively tame. We close on our new farm Monday – I guess I’ll find out tomorrow if a miniature donkey is meant to be our first new addition 
-Gigha
Gigha,
I think Bluehof said she would take the mini donkey and the pony stud…she just needs a place to keep them until she can get down here to pick them up…maybe there is another one you can rescue? It is such a sad situation! So many nice horses…I’m glad to hear that those that don’t sell will at least stay at the farm a bit longer.
Thanks to all who are helping these horses!!
I’ve been lurking on this thread because I have such a hard time understanding why someone would handle their dispersal in this fashion. Looking at the lists and lists of things that are for sale, I would have hoped there would have been a better way … it’s just so sad.
My best wishes to all of you that are in the position to help out these animals. Like many have already stated, there are several that are almost guaranteed to get bids and find good homes but the others might not be so lucky.
Those that are attending, please keep us posted!
I have also been lurking on this thread! From what i understand, this is not a dispersal sale due to lack of money. They are just downsizing, and this is the easiest way to sell all of the things that have been accumlated. I spoke with the auction house and i was told that bidding would start at 5k for the youngstock inculding the young horses that are undersaddle. The older mares and ponies bidding would start at 1k. The three very nice stallions, bidding will start at an undisclosed higher amount and they have reserves.
I could not get a clear answer about the horses that do not sell. The auction house said they would be returned to the seller/ owner. Not sure what that means for those animals.
Anyone else with the same info?
[QUOTE=eks;6461403]
Gigha,
I think Bluehof said she would take the mini donkey and the pony stud…she just needs a place to keep them until she can get down here to pick them up…maybe there is another one you can rescue? It is such a sad situation! So many nice horses…I’m glad to hear that those that don’t sell will at least stay at the farm a bit longer.
Thanks to all who are helping these horses!![/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, I am not going to be able b/c I cannot get an original POA notarized and in the hands of a person to transport the horses. So if they sell then great, but if not I will contact Highlife next week to see if I can arrange a private sale.
So to the person wanting to bin on the mini-donk do it and best of luck!!
I am confused. I thought that most of the horses did not have a reserve and now the bidding on the younger horses will start at $5,000?
[QUOTE=bluemoonfarms;6461541]
I am confused. I thought that most of the horses did not have a reserve and now the bidding on the younger horses will start at $5,000?[/QUOTE]
Most auctions start the bidding on anything at a level they THINK is a good #. If there are no bidders, they will back down the number until some action starts.
