Nutrition has an important role in sales preparation for all horses. If you want to maximize the value of the horse, it is essential to have the horse looking its best at sale time.

There are a number of key elements including the following:

• Size and body condition: Young horses being prepped for sale should be on a smooth growth curve to avoid growth spurts and to reach optimum height at sale time. Size for appropriate age is a plus for most disciplines, and the sale horse should normally have a body condition score at 5 or slightly higher (on a 9-point scale).

• Muscle, not fat: The modern sale ring rewards horses that have well-developed muscles rather than just being fat. Thin is not good, but obese is not desired.

• Hair coat: Slick and shiny is always good. This will require a combination of grooming, health care, and nutrition.

• Hoof quality: High-quality feet with no growth or fever rings are essential.

Sale preparation is an ongoing process for young horses. If they are weaned properly and maintained at a body condition score of about 5, there will not be as much pressure for a sudden feeding change when they are being prepared for a sale. Solid sale preparation takes a minimum of 90 to 120 days of exercise, proper nutrition, and grooming.

Having a quality feed program is essential to have horses looking and feeling their best