Auction is the main place to buy horses. Monthly. 100-300 head. Amish farmers, Mennonites, English — all together.
How They Choose
10 seconds. Experienced Amish looks: legs (straight? swollen?), back (swayed = old), teeth (age), eyes (calm = good horse, whites showing = nervous). 10 seconds — decision made.
Prices
Draft horse: $3,000-8,000. Driving (Standardbred): $500-3,000. Foal: $500-1,500. Old horse: $200-500 (bought out of pity, given pasture to live out their days).