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The Kalona Sales Barn has long been a point of livelihood and commerce for horsemen locally and across the nation dating back to the 1800s. The business in and around Kalona deals primarily with transportation and work horses; however, outside the boundaries of the rural community, the horse market faces a pressing issue that some local experts say could eventually effect what has been a way of life for many.
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is a bill under current legislation that would ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and stop the domestic and international transportation for such slaughter.
Lobbied through the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in conjunction with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the bill passed in the House of Representatives in September. Funding was cut for the USDA to inspect slaughterhouses in the United States, which forced them to shut down and led to the transportation of horses to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada.
According to Devon Mullet, owner of the Kalona Sale Barn, the arrival of this bill spawns an increased horse population resulting in a depressed market.
"Everything goes in cycles with livestock, but if you take the culling process out, it will affect everything," Mullet said. He went on to speculate a domino effect on the local economy. He said sellers and buyers traveling to the Sale Barn might not be as apt to come if they aren't making enough of a profit. This, he said, could subside money spent at local gas stations on fuel to get them there and at restaurant where they might eat dinner along the way.
"Iowa is known for raising hogs and corn, we're located in the middle. [Horse] Buyers come from all corners of the United States," Mullet said of the commerce that equine sales bring to Kalona.
Mullet estimated 30 percent of the 700-800 horses bought and sold out of the sale barn each month go to Amish families. He said they commonly buy Standardbred racehorses that aren't fast enough to race. He said Standardbreds, bred for trotting speed, are known best in this area for pulling buggies.
He said they used to be able to sell a horse for $700-$800. Today he said they are worth a mere $50-$100.
"They're [lobbyists] causing more harm and grief on animals," Mullet said. He described the increasing presence of older and thinner horses for which farmers must provide care.
Local large animal veterinarian Ken Harris said larger populations of horses could make livestock owners less likely to spend money to participate in a vaccination program and treat for parasites.
In addition to making farm calls across 10 counties in Iowa, Harris serves as the veterinarian inspector at the Sale Barn. He and several other local horsemen have worked on implementing programs to provide health care to livestock on smaller farms.
Equine dentists Rick Wilson and Travis White are two who have spent time caring for animals in the area. Harris spends time at Stringtown's stables assisting the visiting horse dentists. According to Wilson, equine dentistry is essential care which helps owners save money on feed. By grinding the enamel points on longer teeth, horses are able to get more nutrition out of their feed.
Wilson and White, both based in the Quad Cities, cover a lot of ground, providing care for racehorses and show horses at large stables in Chicago and smaller communities where the population is largely Amish, such as Arthur, Illinois and Kalona.
"Our Amish clientele is growing," Wilson said while at Stringtown. "They understand the need."
Mark Schlabach, whose father runs Stringtown Stables, helped to organize their visits.
"It's centrally located in the community so people don't have to travel far," Schlabach said of the dentists' monthly visits.
Harris became involved with the project when he met Wilson and White's boss, Ron Chenoweth, at the Eastern Iowa Veterinarian Annual Spring Clinic in Des Moines. Harris is one of the few large animal vets in the area and must be present to administer sedation to the animals.
"I've really enjoyed working with these guys," Harris said. "They're providing a service here that I can't provide."
However the question arises, if the value of horses continues to decrease, will farmers go on paying for services brought into the area?
Harris said those who raise horses feel the largest impact. "The nice ones will still bring in a good price," He said. "But the horses that are below average will be pretty much worthless."
Harris points to economic problems facing the farming community for the decline of a historically agrarian nation.
"The really scary thing is that our population is so many generations removed from agriculture," he said. "Many farm children have cried and cried about their animal going to market," Harris said of the business end of raising livestock.
