Sales Preparation for Thoroughbred Foals & Yearlings

Preparing a Thoroughbred foal or yearling for the sales requires far more than good handling and presentation. A successful sales preparation programme combines expert nutrition, careful management and targeted supplementation to support healthy growth, muscle development, soundness and condition. Whether you're preparing for Tattersalls, Goffs or another major sale, the right nutritional programme can help your youngster look, move and perform at its very best.

Build from the inside out

Every successful sales preparation programme begins with a balanced diet. Breeding Syrup provides a concentrated source of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids to support normal metabolism and energy production during preparation. It's particularly useful for fussy eaters, ensuring they continue to receive the nutrients they need even if feed intake fluctuates during periods of stress or when away from home.
Maintaining healthy growth is equally important. As exercise intensity increases, so too do the demands placed on the developing skeleton and immune system. Bone-Biome provides targeted nutritional support for healthy bone development while also supporting the gut microbiome and immune function, two areas that can be especially challenged during periods of increased stress.
For weaker or later-maturing individuals struggling to develop muscle and topline, MyoMax EQ supplies high-quality amino acids to support lean muscle development, helping youngsters present to their full athletic potential.

Looking the part

Condition sells. A healthy coat and good body condition are often the first things buyers notice. Carron Oil provides a highly digestible source of omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain condition while promoting exceptional coat bloom and shine.
Feet also deserve special attention. Strong, well-maintained hooves are essential during sales preparation, particularly as youngsters spend more time walking on hard surfaces. Combining Acti-Hoof with Hoofcare offers the perfect inside-and-out approach - supporting hoof growth nutritionally while helping maintain hoof quality externally.

Managing stress

Sales preparation is stressful. Increased handling, exercise, travel and unfamiliar surroundings can all affect behaviour, appetite and gut health.
For youngsters that tend to worry, Tryptocool can be fed daily throughout preparation to support a calm outlook and healthy hindgut function. Then, when they arrive at the sales complex, Chillax can provide additional support to help them stay relaxed and focused without compromising their natural behaviour.
Some youngsters also struggle to maintain condition on higher concentrate intakes. Neutragast supports both stomach and hindgut health, making it an excellent choice for poor doers or horses showing signs of digestive discomfort during preparation.

Supporting soundness and recovery

Increased exercise inevitably places greater demands on joints. For youngsters that are less fluent in their movement or working regularly on firmer surfaces, Flexyl HA helps maintain healthy joint lubrication and mobility, supporting comfortable movement throughout preparation.
Busy days at the sales complex can also lead to significant sweat losses. Electrolyte Gel is an ideal addition to the evening routine, helping replace electrolytes lost through exercise while encouraging horses to drink and rehydrate when away from home.

Be prepared

No sales preparation kit is complete without first aid essentials. Plusvital Poultices and Wraps are invaluable for managing minor knocks and other issues, while the Effivet range, including Liquid, Gel and Effident, provides rapid, effective skin and mouth care. Better still, they're completely safe and will not result in a positive dope test, making them ideal both at home and at the sales complex.

Every horse is different

No two youngsters prepare in exactly the same way. Some need additional support for muscle development, others for digestive health, hoof quality or temperament. The most successful sales preparations are those tailored to the individual horse, ensuring they arrive at the sales healthy, confident, comfortable and looking their very best.
After all, when it comes to sales preparation, attention to detail can make all the difference.