KEN McCarron has been conducting horse sales in Orange for the past 45 years and reckons nothing has affected the industry as much as last year's equine influenza (EI) crisis.
But the industry is starting to get back on its feet, with more than 200 horses involved in Friday's sales in Orange - the first since August last year.
Asked if he could compare EI to any other crisis during his more than four decades involved in the horse industry Mr McCarron said: “No, nothing at all.”
“It was a great disaster for the horse industry and not just thoroughbred racing, but also trots, equestrian, rodeo and pony clubs.
“It cost millions of millions of dollars. But we're past it now and horses are free to go anywhere provided they have a permit.”
There were about 70 riding horses for sale yesterday, with the other 140 odd going to be sold and used for meat to be sold overseas.
Mr McCarron can't understand why people get upset with horses being used for pet food.
“People say it's a sad thing they're sold for meat, but it's a lot better for that to happen to them than die in a field,” he said.
During his time at the Orange saleyards Mr McCarron said about 65,000 horses had been sold, with the most in one day being 428 more than 20 years ago.
“It leads to a lot of money being spent in Orange,” he said. “We've got approximately 130 motor vehicles here today and about 80 per cent of them come from other districts.
“So all those people are spending money in Orange, whether it's a meal, a tank of petrol, a new tyre or a pack of cigarettes.”
The next closest horse sales in NSW are at Young and Camden, meaning there is always a big turnout in Orange. Mr McCarron added: “We haven't had one since last August, so this is a big yarding.”