With temperatures exceeding the 40 degree mark, the entire day’s offering - all classes, all divisions - continued in sound fashion, as 353 head of horses were bought and sold.

Surpassing all prior BLS “percentage of horses sold” records, the official statistics prove the power of the day’s market - only nine head of horses were no-saled by the consignor - computing to a potent 97.5 completed sales figure or a 2.5% no-sale percentage.

Folks came to gather it, and a one-of-a-kind selection of collectible tack including a Deer Lodge, MT prison-made horsehair hitched headstall attracted buyers from across the country for the annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” that launched the day’s events.

Offered by Everything Cowboy, Ennis, MT, the headstall - all original and in good condition, was built around 1910. The one-of-a-kind piece brought $2,500.

Additional noteworthy tack included a pair of Canon City, CO prison-made spurs that brought a final bid of $2,400 selling to a Wyoming buyer and a pair of early Schnitger spurs that commanded a $3,200 price-tag.

In the horse division, geldings occupied 17 of the top 20 seller’s positions - eight were grade - while two mares and a mule rounded out the top 20.

The top five averaged $4,140, top ten came in at $3,560, top 20 at $2,940, while the top 50 averaged $2,264.

Joining the BLS High Sellers Club for January 22 was Hip 68 “DL Hollywood Jazz” a 2001 AQHA Sorrel mare x Dual Jazz and out of a Be Aech Enterprise daughter.

The prettiest girl at the dance came consigned by Sarah Parrish, Whitesboro, TX and the extra-broke mare with a bright future brought $5,200 selling to Rimrock Livestock, Shawmut, MT.

Blue roan, gentle, and one-half welsh, Hip 102 “Casinos Pepper” was cute, gentle, and a heel horse prospect.

Offered by Weller Ranch, Kadoka, SD the five-year-old grade gelding sold to Cory Fitzgerald, Whitehall, MT for $4,200.

Billings Livestock was proud to offer 11 head from Lee Lopez, Lopez Quarter Horses, Meadow, SD including Hip 71 “Sugar Bars Show Off” a 1997 AQHA Sorrel stallion x Sonny Sugar.

Some came ridden and some came with pack experience and Hell’s ARoarin Outfitters, Gardiner, MT brought 11 head of Tennessee mules to town.

Topping the mule offering with a $2,100 bid was Hip 53 “Tess” a 2002 Black Molly Mule purchased by Klick’s, Augusta, MT.

With 198 horses selling on the loose, the entire session averaged $467, with the top five averaging $1,210, top ten at $1,071, top 20 averaged $940, followed by the top 50 at $777, and the top 100 averaging $625.

America’s number one loose horse market saw the top loose horse bring $1,400 followed by $1,300 and $1,150.

February 26-27 will be the next horse sale event at Billings Livestock and will feature the “February Catalog Sale” highlighted by a special, limited session of “Sons and Daughters” of Champions and Money Earners in addition to the NFR Session.

A preview of the rope horses, cutting horses, barrel horses, and saddle horses is set for Friday, February 25 at 1 p.m. Horse Palace Arena.