1. Pick the right sale for the individual foal: Comparing the results of various sales, in previous years, can help you to choose. Once you have narrowed down the options you should consider the size of the sale. Your horse might stand out more at a smaller sale. You should also consider how popular the sale is and who will be in attendance. The foaling date may determine what sale you choose, a late foal may need more time to develop and would therefore be better suited to a later sale.

2. Creep feed before weaning: Providing a nutritionally balanced creep feed for the foal will increase pre-weaning growth and acquaint the foal with the feed it will eat when weaned.

3. Reduce stress during weaning: The more abruptly you deprive the mare and foal of each other, the more traumatic the experience will be. Handling your foal frequently and accustoming him to a routine early on will help to minimise stress levels at weaning time. Having a good health programme in place from birth, including vaccination and deworming schedules, as well as regular hoof trimming is very important. Turn weanlings out in paddocks in groups for the day to keep their heads right and stress levels very low.

4. Use of the farrier from an early age is very important: From about three to four weeks of age your foal should see a farrier on a monthly basis.

5. Get to the sale in plenty of time: Especially if you are going to a sale in the UK, foals take longer to recover from the travel. Ideally, allow at least one day prior to the sale so that the foal has time to adjust to its new environment and rest before the busy sales day ahead.

Key points