MANDAN, ND (KXNET) — People from as far away as Canada and Mexico are coming to North Dakota in search of the perfect horse at one of the largest quarter horse sales on the continent. If you've been through Mandan this week, you may have heard a lot of whinnying.That's because there are more than 1,500 young horses being brought to town for the Hermanson-Kist All Breed Horse Sale. "We got a one-shop deal. I mean there's one for everybody," said Dave Hermanson, who was busy keeping an eye on his own horses that he brought to the sale at the Kist Livestock Auction House. Many of the horses on sale were born in North Dakota, while others were brought in from other states. They have a wide variety of breeds and types of horses available for any cowboy or cowgirl, including riding horses, brood mares and yearlings, all who are waiting for new pastures. The sale, one of the largest in the nation, wasn't always this big since it was first founded by Hermanson and Fred Kist in 1982. "It grew a lot. The first sale that me and Freddie had here, I think we had a 120-head," said Hermanson. Over the years, the sale just continues to grow, and Hermanson says he's learned a lot from many years of experience. "Me and a friend of mine from Iowa had two sales here before me and Freddie started it, and two sales before that at Missouri Slope at Bismarck. So, actually for me it's been like 46 years." Dave Hermanson, who's raised horses all of his life, is co-founder of the Hermanson-Kist All Breed Horse Sale in Mandan Almost a half-century's worth of raising and selling horses, Hermanson attracts cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country. "I mean the people that come here are from Texas, Missouri, Virginia, Michigan, and New York City," said Matt Lachenmeier, General Manager of Kist Livestock Auction Sales. Unlike other livestock auctions, Lachenmeier says work begins long before the first horse trailers show up. "This week is one of them weeks we start cleaning. We get to prep about a week and a half before this sale and kind of do our fall cleaning and get ready for all these colts that are coming in," said Lachenmeier. Cattle producers wait for Congress to renew Farm Bill He says his crew works very hard to prepare the holding pens for the horses, animals that require a little more tender love and care. He points out that they have to ensure there is plenty of hay for them before they arrive. "We go through about two semi-loads of hay just to get the yards ready. So, that comes out to about 60 haybales," explains Lachenmeier. Lachenmeier says they have around 65 workers on site to care for thousands of horses, each waiting for their turn in the sale barn. "These guys that we have hired for it are specially selected. They grew up with horses, still have horses, and they know the type of care it takes to handle them," he said. The sale has become well-known for turning out high-quality horses, many of which will travel to new homes and ranches all over the continent. Hermanson credits the environment and the help he gets for the success of the sale. "It's the best facility there is with the best yard and office staff," expressed Hermanson. The Hermanson-Kist sale runs through Saturday, September 21, at Kist Livestock in Mandan. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW