With each visit I grow a little wiser.
Some English would like to believe everything you hear about the Amish or Mennonite cultures to be bad. I know. I was one. This is what has prompted my visits. What I have been discovering in my journey is you should not believe all you hear to be true. A picture is worth a thousand words but sometimes it does not tell the whole story or the correct one. We are quick to throw harsh, negative critiques on this culture and way of living without having full knowledge. It is amazing what you may truly discover when you start walking down the path with a more open mind. This is where that journey begins, a cultural immersion.
After my last trip to PA to visit New Holland auction I was invited back by my new friends to come out to Mel’s Sale for June 14th. I was encouraged to meet more Amish and talk with new people, mostly to see the big difference between how Mel’s runs versus New Holland. They are two completely different entities.
This trip I dove a bit deeper into the culture and I was amazed at what I discovered. The Amish and Mennonite cultures are both very proud of this breed. They are committed to the Morgans. They both do things a little differently. Mennonites dress a bit more English looking and enjoy a bit more of technology of the world today. Amish are much more plain in their dress and don’t have access to those commodities of life today. Most of these owners were walking encyclopedias on what was in their barn as far as lineage. The auctioneer was spouting out world champion wins on certain horses like it was first hand knowledge. My Amish friend John took us to see his brother, meet the family, and show us his Morgans. Benny had no idea we were coming. He and his oldest son took every Morgan out and showed it with pride. All these things, the knowledge, the care and the pride taken showed me these people truly careabout their horses.
Auctions are part of the Amish and Mennonite culture. This is more than presenting horses for sale. This is a social event. It is aplace to meet besides a church gathering. The auctions are not going away. For this culture it is currently the one and only way to sell a horse to another Amish or Mennonite that might have a better use for him or her than what the owner can give. Brokers exist in this program because there are few ways for them to move horses. They don’t have trucks or trailers. They may not have easy access to veterinary care. (I know it’s even hard for me in TX). Currently there is no door back into the English world with easy access. There is no way to gain new knowledge about care, handling, training of horses unless you are taught it. Well what if we could find a way to open that door? How much better would it be for the horses?
Attending Mel’s Stable Sale was, I have to say, a great experience and I’m glad I did. It was not what I had imagined. I arrived early to the sale to go around and see some horses listed. Ones to keep an eye on, plus the one Morgan Safenet was there to bid on for a private party. As I walked the aisles I have to say everyone was friendly but at the same time a bit guarded. I thought it was because I was “English”. I let it go…just walked around like I belonged. I took photos…asked before hand…no one disapproved. In fact I talked directly to Mel Hoover who owns and runs the facility. He was guarded at first too, but after I explained my being there and what we were trying to do, he became quite open. Mel’s Sale is a very nice setting. Mel has had issue with “rescue” groups coming in, taking photos, posting them to the internet and then those people sharing to slander the Amish and Mennonite culture in general without knowing the whole story or presenting it accurately. Mel is protective of both these cultures. When he thought I was there as a rescue he first assumed I would be attempting the same things as I was taking photos. Mel does not allow photos mostly for the reason he does not find it fair to post them online where the Amish can’t find out how they are being spoken about and no way for them to defend themselves as most don’t have acomputer. He asked me directly if I have seen any horse be abused on these grounds today? I said no…I find quite the opposite. I assured him that was why I was there…to help share the truth. To try and open some closed doors. Mel Hoover is an upfront and smart man. He doesn’t tolerate any drama or slander. He simply does not allow it. If you are there to cause problems you are out. Banned from coming. Mel said brokers used to come and he would catch on that some horses would go sale to sale…be back at his. When he confronted them and asked them why these brokers did this, they could not give him a good reason. Mel told them it was no good for the horses and he also does not allow it to happen at his sale. Brokers who do this are not allowed back in. This sale showed it. It was predominantly an Amish and Mennonite sale. There were a handful of English but didn’t seem there to buy. From where I sat, I found Mel to be an awesome but tough guy who ran and managed a great auction facility. It is also a sale that has some very nice quality Morgans run through it.
Mel’s Sale is quite different from New Holland type auction. There are reputable sales out there that are part of this culture. I feel they get judged pretty harshly. To say that horses need to be “rescued” from the Amish is simply just not true. There are good and bad situations everywhere, same in the English world. From my perspective there are SO many great doors that could open between our culture, the English, and these two different cultures, the Amish and Mennonite that would benefit the breed and the horses. There is a huge market for horses who are fit for second careers,entry level show strings, and top show strings “stuck” within these worlds because our doors don’t open back. With the active concern about our breed and how to help it, this is one steady place we are “losing” these beautiful horses. We have to find a way to bridge the two worlds together and open this door back up. Morgan Safenet is going to work hard to try and do that and our hope is that many will join in. Breeding and registering more is not the only answer. That will not break the cycle that some are currently in. We have to look at each other’s differences and not judge but see how together we can make adifference for this beautiful breed. One thing that holds true across the cultural divides is the pure love for this breed.
Colleen Saint Loup
Founder Morgan Safenet