Even with interstate highways closed,  buyers put weather woes aside, and came to bid on the “ready to go to work” kind - including “Hitch and Giddyup” a grade team of seven and eight year-old black percheron mares offered by Randy Bancescu, Oak Lake, Manitoba.

They’re headed to star on the big screen as the team of work horses sold to John Scott, Longview, Alberta, for use in the movie production of “Little House on the Prairie”. The quiet, gentle team were the day’s top sellers bringing $4,000.

Horses are the tools of his trade so he always rides a good one and working cowboy Joe Fox, Hysham, MT brought Hip 10 “Bobbies True Bum” a 97 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Bunny Sax and out of a True Roman daughter to town.

Used on the largest contiguous ranch in Montana - J.B. Grierson Cattle Company - the real cowhorse was used branding, dragging calves, and gathering in those big pastures for the past three years.

Paul Hansen, Dillon, MT purchased the “all business” package for $3,800.

Strawn Valley Ranch, Strawn, TX, home of Peppys Boy 895 - offered six head of two-year-olds - all riding well and started on cattle - and - all buckskins or palominos - from their well-known program.

“Bingos Pep” - an 01 AQHA Buckskin Mare x Peppys Boy 895 and out of a daughter of Bingo Hickory brought $3,500 and was purchased by Chris Evans, Elwood, UT.

His mother is a daughter of Doc‘s Oak who has $29,000 in earnings and “Oaks Peppydonna” - an 01 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Peppys Boy 895 was packed with promise and purchased by Wyatt Harbert, Manhattan, MT for $3,500.

South Dakota cowboys Billy Martin of Faith, and Justin Swires from Isabel, brought a nice set of using geldings to the November offering, including Hip 72 “Sugar Hancock Bars” a 99 AQHA Red Roan gelding x Tiny Sugar Bars and out of a Quarter Hancock granddaughter.

Handy combined with pretty brought $3,100 and sold to Jack Wipplinger, Roberts, MT.

501 head were offered, including 270 loose horses. The top selling loose horse of the day brought $1,750, followed by $1,350 and $1,200. Offered as is, where is, how is, the loose horse averages include the top five at $1,290, top ten $1,090, top 20 came in at $844, while the top fifty averaged $591.

Overall sale averages - including the cataloged horses - show the top five averaging $3,610, top ten at $3,140, top twenty came in at $2,620, while the top fifty averaged $1,990.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for December 27 with the “New Year’s Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale.