Hoover Auction – PA

Animals’ Angels has been monitoring Mel Hoover’s Pennsylvania auction for more than a decade — and thanks to this sustained presence, conditions appear to have improved. In the past, our investigators documented horrific cases of injured and downer horses left to suffer. But under constant scrutiny, Hoover himself was overheard admitting he no longer allows this because it caused him “too much trouble.”

Yet while these changes show us that our persistence pays off, troubling issues remain. Hoover, the notoriously hot-tempered auction owner, continues to accept tired, thin horses, and his sales floor is still dominated by kill buyers. What stood out most during our latest visit was the sheer number of Standardbreds flooding the auction.

Background

Hoover’s Auction has long been a destination for horses no longer needed by neighboring Amish and Mennonite communities. Many are Standardbreds — once raced on the track, then repurposed as buggy horses — while others are draft horses who spent their lives in heavy farm labor.

Animals’ Angels has observed the same disturbing patterns here year after year: rough handling during “testing,” horses tied for hours without water, and the ever-present activity of known kill buyers. But our most recent visit brought a new and alarming development — the sheer number of Standardbreds crowding the auction floor.

Animals’ Angels’ Investigation Report

OVERVIEW OF INVESTIGATION

Date: 10/4/25

Time on Site: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Estimated Horses: ~500 total, the majority Standardbreds (STBs), along with draft horses

KILL BUYERS PRESENT

• Rotz Livestock (Bruce & Cody Rotz): Their truck was parked behind the auction barn all day.
• Cedar Ridge Farm (Jesse Austin): Arrived at 8:20 a.m. with two horses already on board — one extremely thin and frail. Both remained inside the trailer without water until after 4:00 p.m., when the buyer finally loaded his auction purchases.

Both buyers maintained prime positions in the sale ring and bid aggressively throughout the day, underlining Hoover’s role as a favored stop for large-scale buyers of low-value horses.

CONDITIONS OBSERVED

• Standardbreds “tested” on the track next to the barn. Investigators documented rough handling, including hitting and driving horses until soaked in sweat. Several were visibly anxious, kicking in their stalls.
• Confinement: Most Standardbreds were tied to rafters from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., without access to water or the ability to move. Many displayed distress behaviors such as weaving their heads or chewing frantically on reins.
• Overall condition: While no injuries were seen, numerous horses were thin, and some appeared lethargic and weak.

AUCTION ACTIVITY

Throughout the sale, Rotz and Austin remained dominant bidders, purchasing many of the “as-is” horses offered at low prices. Their consistent presence confirms that Hoover’s auction continues to funnel a steady stream of horses into their hands.

KEY TAKEAWAY

There’s proof that Animals’ Angels’ monitoring makes a difference — Hoover’s auction is no longer the horror scene of injured and suffering horses it once was. But the neglect and mishandling continue. The constant presence of kill buyers means horses remain at risk of the slaughter pipeline.

And after our most recent visit, one fact stood out above all others: the alarming influx of discarded Standardbreds, signaling a deepening crisis for the breed.

We must stay the course. Our investigation underscores that progress can be achieved, but there is urgent work ahead. Animals’ Angels will continue to monitor Hoover’s auction, expose the truth, and give a voice to the horses who cannot speak for themselves.