Lantern Hill Farm Sales Prep Schedule, Fall Foal Sales (Assumes a sales date in November)

Feeding Foals for Fall Sales

Wean foals at four months to minimize post-weaning 'slump' at sale time. Or: If a late foal, take foal from dam at sale time and ship right into sale.

• We use interval weaning (mares are removed 2 or 3 at a time, and foals are allowed to stay with their herd).
• Foals have been eating 16% protein concentrate with their dams since 2-3 weeks of age.
• We don’t use creep feeders, but do put out extra mangers for foals, which will share them in groups as their dams eat.

Once foals are weaned, most will eat 1-2 quarts 16% protein ration 2-3 times per day. Rice bran oil will be added (slowly, to avoid loose stools), usually about ½ ounce per feeding.

Foal Sales Prep for Fall Sales

• Foals start coming in stalls at 2 p.m. and being groomed about Sept. 30.
• After a week, they will wear blankets and 'mane tamer' hoods. (Don’t forget the red pepper.)
• While foals are being groomed, let them wear a chiffney bit without the shank attached.
• If the foals are to be hand walked or put on a walker, start them for about 10 minutes each about the first week of October, working up to half an hour.
• About 2 weeks before the sale, foals begin walking in chiffney bits and are taught to stand.
• Schedule foot trims no closer than one week before sale ship-in, and use turpentine on bottom of feet to toughen them against rock-dust show rings.

Lantern Hill Farm Sales Prep Schedule, Keeneland September Yearlings (Assumes a sales date of 9/15)

January

• Separate colts from fillies, yearlings still living outside in groups.
• All yearlings come in daily for breakfast and to have feet picked out.
• Keep "no-chew" in manes and tails.
• Treat dermatitis with mineral oil or tamed iodine, as needed.
• Give annual vaccination boosters per schedule.
• Worm monthly on rotation.
• Trim feet every 3-4 weeks throughout year.
• Use poultice, sweats or blisters as soon as bumps or injuries occur.

February

• Take survey radiographs.
• Check testicles on colts.
• Last evaluation for surgical interventions: strips or trans-physeal bridges.

March

• Start to bring in during day when possible, giving individual feeds as needed.
• Schedule sugeries if required.

April

• Larger paddocks of colts may need to be separated into smaller groups.
• Fillies usually OK turned out together.
• Larvicidal dose wormer: Panacur double dose every day for 5 days.
• Curry to remove winter coats, some sales companies will inspect by April 30.
• Practice walking briskly to and from paddocks, strong colts start wearing chiffneys.

May 1st

• Split colts into 1-3 per paddock.
• Turn out nights, inside during day.
• Adjust feeding schedules; new grass may cause some to be fat.
• Curry body only and pick feet.

June 1st

• Start immature yearlings on walker or in round pen: 10 minutes/day, increase to 20 minutes by the end of two weeks. Walk only on walker; may use light jog in round pen.
• Add 1-2 oz. rice bran oil to diet or M.A.S.S. feed supplement.
• All sales yearlings should now be wearing chiffneys to go to and from paddocks.

July 1st

• All yearlings now on late turnout (7 p.m.), in during the day.
• All yearlings start on walker: 10 minutes/day to start, then increase by 10 minutes per week until they are up to 1 hour.
• Individualize exercise according to needs; work schedule 6 days/week, or less.
• Fat yearlings will jog in the round pen or go out with a pony horse for 15 minutes.
• Thin yearlings or those not eating well will go on Zantac or Gastro-Guard.
• Most yearlings will be bathed in plain water after working; medicated soap used as needed.
• Groom daily, no stiff brushes on manes or tails.
• Furacin or other skin dressing on cuts and bald spots.
• Use hoof dressing around coronets and on heels.
• Cold mud poultice on swellings: tendons, ankles, etc.

Mid-July

• All colts turned out in single paddocks.
• Pull Coggins and EVA tests.
• Rough in manes by pulling, no scissors or clippers.
• Braid "split" manes into thick plaits, leave in no more than 2 days.
• Practice walking, turning, standing for inspection.
• End of July - last vaccinations.
• Dentist - check teeth.

Mid-August

• Put on first sales shoes, turpentine soles and nail holes to toughen foot.
• Last worm.

September 1st

• Take repository films and scope for sales company, obtain vet certs if needed.
• Measure for halters.

Sales Week

• Shoe for sale and dress feet.
• Pull mane and clip, fit halters.
• Stop oil in ration.
• Sudsy bath and scrub whites and feet.