From Birth to Yearling
Stages of growth: Day 1 to Sale
Foaling begins
Mares are watched 24/7 as their due date approaches. Their teats become engorged and ‘’waxing” (presence of colostrum which has a honey-like appearance) occurs a few days prior to foaling. When the mare shows the first signs of labour she is brought into a foaling yard so she has a clean, safe and quiet place to foal. We are present during the foaling and check the presentation but most mares foals without difficulty and it is best to allow them to foal undisturbed. Foal is born
Once the foal is delivered we quietly monitor them and allow the mare and foal to bond undisturbed. The foal should make attempts to stand within 30 minutes and nurse within two hours. The mare should pass her placenta within three hours and we examine it to make sure it is intact. We assess the colostrum quality of the mare and ensure the foal receives adequate nutrition and antibodies to give them a good start to life. Early education
Within the first few days of life we start handling the young foals. A head collar is placed and they are taught to lead. This early education and human interaction is crucial for the rest of the foal’s life and we like to commence the handling process early to ensure it is stress-free for our young horses. First farrier visit
The young foals get their feet trimmed for the first time at 10-14 days of age. Our farrier and vet perform weekly conformation exams to assess each foal’s progress. It is crucial to address any conformation issues within the first few months of life before the growth plates of the distal limb close. Conformation corrections
There are different methods utilised to help correct angular limb deformities. The farrier trims the foals every few weeks and sometimes places an equitane extension under the hoof to help support the limb and encourage growth to correct any abnormality. If more intensive treatment is required we are very fortunate to have a state-of-the-art surgical facility on site where transphyseal screw surgeries can be performed. Weaning
As the foals get older, they become more mature and independent. At approximately 6 months of age they are weaned from their mothers. They come into the barn for a week where their education continues. They receive further handling and learn to lead without the guidance of the mare. They are then turned out into a paddock with a nanny, who helps them to settle and reduce any anxiety. Identification
Each weanling gets their own unique brand which helps identify them for the rest of their life. The vet records the brands and markings of each weanling. A microchip is placed and the weanling is registered with the Australian Stud Book. Ongoing education
Each month, the weanlings come into the barn for a few days of regular handling and continuation of their education. They learn to go on the walker and get rugged which gives them a head start when they begin their yearling sale preparation and a solid foundation for their future racing careers. Sale selection
Representatives of the sale companies begin visiting the farm from August to inspect the yearlings. In consultation with the sales companies and our clients, we decide which sale is the most suitable market to present each individual horse. Factors taken into consideration include physique, pedigree and precociousness. Yearling Preparation
By now the young horses have celebrated their first birthday (August 1st) and will soon come in to begin their yearling sale preparation. Their growth and development during this period is paramount for their future athletic careers. We monitor their progress each day and adapt their nutrition and exercise accordingly.
Stage 1
Foaling begins
Mares are watched 24/7 as their due date approaches. Their teats become engorged and ‘’waxing” (presence of colostrum which has a honey-like appearance) occurs a few days prior to foaling. When the mare shows the first signs of labour she is brought into a foaling yard so she has a clean, safe and quiet place to foal. We are present during the foaling and check the presentation but most mares foals without difficulty and it is best to allow them to foal undisturbed.
Stage 2
Foal is born
Once the foal is delivered we quietly monitor them and allow the mare and foal to bond undisturbed. The foal should make attempts to stand within 30 minutes and nurse within two hours. The mare should pass her placenta within three hours and we examine it to make sure it is intact. We assess the colostrum quality of the mare and ensure the foal receives adequate nutrition and antibodies to give them a good start to life.
Stage 3
Early education
Within the first few days of life we start handling the young foals. A head collar is placed and they are taught to lead. This early education and human interaction is crucial for the rest of the foal’s life and we like to commence the handling process early to ensure it is stress-free for our young horses.
Stage 4
First farrier visit
The young foals get their feet trimmed for the first time at 10-14 days of age. Our farrier and vet perform weekly conformation exams to assess each foal’s progress. It is crucial to address any conformation issues within the first few months of life before the growth plates of the distal limb close.
Stage 5
Conformation corrections
There are different methods utilised to help correct angular limb deformities. The farrier trims the foals every few weeks and sometimes places an equitane extension under the hoof to help support the limb and encourage growth to correct any abnormality. If more intensive treatment is required we are very fortunate to have a state-of-the-art surgical facility on site where transphyseal screw surgeries can be performed.
Stage 6
Weaning
As the foals get older, they become more mature and independent. At approximately 6 months of age they are weaned from their mothers. They come into the barn for a week where their education continues. They receive further handling and learn to lead without the guidance of the mare. They are then turned out into a paddock with a nanny, who helps them to settle and reduce any anxiety.
Stage 7
Identification
Each weanling gets their own unique brand which helps identify them for the rest of their life. The vet records the brands and markings of each weanling. A microchip is placed and the weanling is registered with the Australian Stud Book.
Stage 8
Ongoing education
Each month, the weanlings come into the barn for a few days of regular handling and continuation of their education. They learn to go on the walker and get rugged which gives them a head start when they begin their yearling sale preparation and a solid foundation for their future racing careers.
Stage 9
Sale selection
Representatives of the sale companies begin visiting the farm from August to inspect the yearlings. In consultation with the sales companies and our clients, we decide which sale is the most suitable market to present each individual horse. Factors taken into consideration include physique, pedigree and precociousness.
Stage 10
Yearling Preparation
By now the young horses have celebrated their first birthday (August 1st) and will soon come in to begin their yearling sale preparation. Their growth and development during this period is paramount for their future athletic careers. We monitor their progress each day and adapt their nutrition and exercise accordingly. A yearling preparation
11 weeks of a preparation
Yearlings playing in paddock
The horses are brought in from the paddock to the yearling barn where they are handled and the preparation process begins. Grooming the yearlings
Each afternoon the yearlings are groomed. This helps ensure they each have a healthy coat by the time inspections begin but also acts as a form of massage therapy which stimulates healthy blood circulation and muscle recovery post-exercise. This relaxing time also helps form a bond between the horse and the handler. Handwalking the yearlings
Hand walking is an important part of the education process, ensuring that the horses form a routine and learn how to behave whilst on the end of a lead. Horses on the walker and lunging
As part of the education process we break the yearlings to a roller, lunge them for the first time and introduce work-out programs on the walker. Shoeing the yearlings
The horses receive their first shoes and are tended to by the farrier. Each horse is individually assessed by the farrier and then shod accordingly. On farm inspections
The on farm inspection process begins and our horses are assessed by potential buyers who have the opportunity to visit the farm. We welcome all buyers to the farm. Yearlings are x-rayed
Each yearling is x-rayed by Padraig, our resident veterinarian, within 6 weeks of the sale. A set of sales radiographs consists of 36 images of all the major joints of all four limbs. This is accomplished while taking into account the safety of the horse and personnel. Manes pulled and ears clipped
The horses have their manes pulled and their ears clipped as the final product begins to take shape before heading to the sale. Yearlings arrive at the sale
We take great care in ensuring that each individual yearling arrives to the sales complex safe and sound. Even though a lot of the hard work has already been done, it is of highest importance to us that every horse and member of staff arrives safely Pre-sale Scoping
A racehorse needs sufficient oxygen to race to their full potential. Scoping involves the insertion of a flexible endoscope with a camera attached through one nostril to the back of the throat. This technique allows a visual examination of the structure and function of the larynx and upper respiratory tract. Final grooming for auction
Getting a horse ready for the ring is the last chance we have to ensure that each yearling is presented to the best it can be and to also ensure that we get a great result for our clients. We take immense pride in presenting out yearlings for auction.
Week 1
Yearlings playing in paddock
The horses are brought in from the paddock to the yearling barn where they are handled and the preparation process begins.
Week 2
Grooming the yearlings
Each afternoon the yearlings are groomed. This helps ensure they each have a healthy coat by the time inspections begin but also acts as a form of massage therapy which stimulates healthy blood circulation and muscle recovery post-exercise. This relaxing time also helps form a bond between the horse and the handler.
Week 3
Handwalking the yearlings
Hand walking is an important part of the education process, ensuring that the horses form a routine and learn how to behave whilst on the end of a lead.
Week 4
Horses on the walker and lunging
As part of the education process we break the yearlings to a roller, lunge them for the first time and introduce work-out programs on the walker.
Week 5
Shoeing the yearlings
The horses receive their first shoes and are tended to by the farrier. Each horse is individually assessed by the farrier and then shod accordingly.
Week 6
On farm inspections
The on farm inspection process begins and our horses are assessed by potential buyers who have the opportunity to visit the farm. We welcome all buyers to the farm.
Week 7
Yearlings are x-rayed
Each yearling is x-rayed by Padraig, our resident veterinarian, within 6 weeks of the sale. A set of sales radiographs consists of 36 images of all the major joints of all four limbs. This is accomplished while taking into account the safety of the horse and personnel.
Week 8
Manes pulled and ears clipped
The horses have their manes pulled and their ears clipped as the final product begins to take shape before heading to the sale.
Week 9
Yearlings arrive at the sale
We take great care in ensuring that each individual yearling arrives to the sales complex safe and sound. Even though a lot of the hard work has already been done, it is of highest importance to us that every horse and member of staff arrives safely
Week 10
Pre-sale Scoping
A racehorse needs sufficient oxygen to race to their full potential. Scoping involves the insertion of a flexible endoscope with a camera attached through one nostril to the back of the throat. This technique allows a visual examination of the structure and function of the larynx and upper respiratory tract.
Week 11
Final grooming for auction
Getting a horse ready for the ring is the last chance we have to ensure that each yearling is presented to the best it can be and to also ensure that we get a great result for our clients. We take immense pride in presenting out yearlings for auction.
A day in the life
of a yearling in sales preparation
Morning Check
First thing each morning we check for left over feed and examine each horse to make sure they are bright and alert. Then we take their temperatures. Tacking up the Yearlings
We tack the yearlings up to prepare them for their daily exercise routine. Yearlings on the Walker
The yearlings spend time each day on the walker as part of their exercise routine. Hosing of Yearlings
The yearlings are hosed after exercise to allow them to cool down. Grooming
The yearlings are groomed each day to ensure their coats are healthy and to also check them over thoroughly. Parade Practice
Each yearling goes for a walk while their boxes are being cleaned. During this time they practice parading and standing up, which they will be expected to do during inspections at the sales. Paddock Time
Each horse spends adequate time in the paddock each day to allow them to kick up their heels. Rugging of Horses
At the end of the day each horse is fed and rugged and put to bed.
6 AM
Morning Check
First thing each morning we check for left over feed and examine each horse to make sure they are bright and alert. Then we take their temperatures.
8 AM
Tacking up the Yearlings
We tack the yearlings up to prepare them for their daily exercise routine.
10 AM
Yearlings on the Walker
The yearlings spend time each day on the walker as part of their exercise routine.
12 PM
Hosing of Yearlings
The yearlings are hosed after exercise to allow them to cool down.
2 PM
Grooming
The yearlings are groomed each day to ensure their coats are healthy and to also check them over thoroughly.
4 PM
Parade Practice
Each yearling goes for a walk while their boxes are being cleaned. During this time they practice parading and standing up, which they will be expected to do during inspections at the sales.
6 PM
Paddock Time
Each horse spends adequate time in the paddock each day to allow them to kick up their heels.
8 PM
Rugging of Horses
At the end of the day each horse is fed and rugged and put to bed.