DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

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(Photos : Leigh Willson)

PREPARATIONS FOR LIFE AS A RACEHORSE

Kerry JackHaving spent most of their time since birth in the great outdoors doing what they do best – eating, sleeping and running – the National Sales yearlings are now slowly getting used to their new routine and are being prepared for life as a racehorse.

Very much still diamonds in the rough, they can be compared to leggy teenagers with plenty of spirit and need to be handled sympathetically. Richard Hlongwane heads up a top notch team (they call themselves the A team!) who work with the yearlings daily and gradually introduce them to the walker, teach them some manners and get them walking and standing correctly.

Their diet is carefully monitored and over the next few months their exercise will be increased and their time out decreased so that by the time the sale arrives, they are in show room condition and ready for the next phase of their lives.