All saddled up for a new horse auction
Did you know that GCSurplus, Public Services and Procurement Canada's online auction for Government of Canada surplus assets, offers horses for sale?
Since 2020, GCSurplus has held a unique annual online auction for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). For more than 85 years, the RCMP's horse breeding program has earned a reputation for raising some of the world's finest sport horses. However, not all of these beautiful animals meet the strict requirements necessary to join the world-famous Musical Ride, and the ones that don't are auctioned off.
The RCMP selects horses for auction based on factors such as colour, temperament, size and suitability for the Musical Ride program.
As auction coordinator, RCMP Staff Sergeant Mario Cournoyer will be managing this horse auction. "I take great comfort in knowing the horses identified for sale will find serious buyers and good caretakers. I particularly enjoy meeting with the horse buyers."
The horses' well-being: Our priority
In terms of logistics, Michael Tsoukanas, Team Lead for Operations at the Ottawa GCSurplus warehouse, works with the RCMP team to confirm many of the auction details, ensuring that all documentation is received in due time. "We need to make sure that our divestment team can produce the sale listings in accordance with the RCMP's instructions within the planned timeline." This close collaboration between GCSurplus and the RCMP ensures the success of the auction and finds the best possible home for each horse.
This auction is unique because it deals with live animals, not inanimate assets. "At every stage of the process leading up to the auction, we ensure the most ethical care and treatment. Selling a live animal is completely different from selling any other government surplus item. Most horse buyers are very knowledgeable and rightfully demanding. The health and well-being of our horses is our number one priority. All of our decisions are based on what's best for the horses," insists Staff Sergeant Cournoyer.
For example, the minimum starting bid of $5,000 ensures that the horses are purchased for riding or being kept as pets, not for slaughter or commercial sale. Moreover, the RCMP and GCSurplus reserve the right to refuse any offers as they deem necessary and appropriate.
Staff Sergeant Cournoyer adds: "Our team goes beyond the horse auction industry standards to provide a series of medical and physical documents, including pedigree, vaccination certificates, X-rays, photos and videos, to ensure full transparency and as much information as possible for potential buyers."
While all of the horses have excellent bloodlines, not all of them meet the criteria required to join the Musical Ride. "Some horses might not be able to withstand the rigour of the Musical Ride program but can handle different tasks," Staff Sergeant Cournoyer clarifies.
The horse breeding farm
The RCMP chose the Hanoverian breed for the Musical Ride program because it was looking for a warmblood breed that had a "calmer" temperament. "We choose bloodlines that excel in trainability and a good work ethic. Stallions and mares are matched to produce appropriate size and colour. Also, this hardworking breed has the substance and strength to handle the travel associated with the tour, as well as the work required by the Musical Ride," explains Karen Ryan, Manager of the RCMP Musical Ride breeding farm, who started at the farm in 2004.
She's passionate about her work with these horses and finds witnessing the birth of a foal deeply satisfying. "The emotions of watching our beloved youngsters perform in a Musical Ride show, reaching their goal and potential, it fills all of us with a sense of healthy pride."
Check out the GCSurplus horse auction for more details.
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