Horse Sense (HS): What’s your best advice for prepping yearlings?

Leah Burgess (LB): Prep your horse as an individual as much as feasibly possible, be that daily routine, the length of prep, feed or work load. They’re all different with their own personalities! Ask for help, people are always willing to give advice. Try get yourself good vets and farriers and work with them to get the most out of your horses.

HS: Do you have any tips for leading up in the ring on sales day?

LB: On sales day get the horse ready for the ring in plenty of time. You might have last minute shows so don’t leave it too late to get to the ring. Leave a couple of lots to get to the ring accounting for withdrawals and how long each lot might take to sell.

HS: What are your top tips for settling unsettled youngsters at the sales?

LB: Give them plenty of exercise in the mornings. Keeping the horses as close to their home routine as possible, be that lunging or hand-walking. Get them out around the showing areas in the mornings and the days before showing will all help to ensure they go on to show themselves at their best. Watch what other people are doing. There are plenty of experienced people at the sales. Watch them show their horses and learn from them.

HS: Anything else you think people should know about sales?

LB: Prep flies by however long you have them in for! Plan it out, but be flexible.