LEAMORE Horses is a successful trading yard specialising in buying National Hunt store horses and flat yearlings to produce for four-year-old point-to-points and breeze-up sales respectively with a view to selling them.

When we are buying horses we start to narrow down our search by thoroughly researching pedigrees before the sales start. When we go to the sales we usually have quite a tight budget. Due to this we are more open minded about the sires of the horses we buy. We are very particular about the dam’s pedigree, there has to be evidence that the dam is capable of breeding winners and if it is a first foal the second dam must be strong as the likelihood of them being able to win a race is going to be fairly poor if nothing else in the family can win.

Athletic

The individual must look like an athlete.

The must be well balanced physically – same angle of shoulder and quarter, good ratio between length of back and neck, enough bone for body type. They need a good outlook – neck well set on to the shoulder with a kind eye and pleasant expression.

We love a horse with a strong second thigh and hocks low to the ground, likewise a short cannon in front is ideal. Of course we like their front limbs to be straight and correct but this is an area where certain issues can be forgiven if we are happy with everything else.

While the horse should look like an athlete they should move like an athlete too. The most important criteria for us buying a horse is a good active swinging walk – they should drop their head and allow every part of their body to move effortlessly, covering plenty of ground.

Sometimes a horse just catches the eye and in that instance we will compromise on our usual criteria as those individuals just have a certain je ne sais quoi.

Do

1. Do your homework – know your horse’s pedigree inside out including all updates.

2. Create a simple well designed door card that is distinctive and noticeable.

3. Make sure your horse knows how to walk properly through plenty of hand-walking at home.

4. Build a proper topline through correct work on the lunge and walking rather than over feeding. This will also improve a horse’s walk.

5. Ensure your horses are fit enough as the sales can really take a toll on a young horse if he doesn’t have enough ground work done.

Don’t

1. Don’t be afraid to approach people to ask them to look at your horse!