Student-reared horses find new homes
Joseph Vasquez / The Collegian
Above: One prospective horse buyer on Saturday was Fresno City College student Nicole Leavitt, here looking at Sonny, a 2-year-old palomino. Below: To give buyers a sense of the horse’s form, Fresno State sophomore Katherine Hegedus rides Jewel around the pit. |
By Douglas Sulenta
The Collegian
Stretching his neck over the pen’s bars, the mahogany-colored gelding is eager for a rub on the head.
A potential buyer takes notice and stands quietly observing the horse.
“He’s lovely, and has such a good lively spirit,” said Ali Shabazz, a Fresno area farmer and Fresno State graduate.
“Should I decide to buy, this would be my first horse. Attitude is definitely something that marks a good companion.”
Shabazz joined a group of over 40 visitors and potential buyers at the open house for Fresno State’s quarter horse unit on Saturday. By day’s end, four horses had been sold for about $3,000 each.
The event showcased 11 geldings, castrated male horses that were reared by students in animal science, equestrian and other majors.
“This is a pretty low-key event,” said animal science professor Anne Rodiek, who oversees the program. “It’s a lot less exposure then a show on the coast, and less expensive too…it’s like a horse mini-show.”
She said the open house not only allows the public to observe some of the accomplishments of Fresno State students, but it also generates interest in Fresno State for younger visitors.
“All this work is done by students, for better or worse,” Rodiek said of the raising and training of the horses on the premise.
“The horses are handled by people everyday, and are totally sound,” said Thommie Haskins, a Fresno State senior and employee at the unit. “Every horse has a different disposition, just like people.”
The horses’ unusual names such as Master Quiote Jewel, Fresnos Gin N Spirit or Fresnos Mr. Mocha are more testament to the horses’ pedigree than their personality.
“The names are a combination of the mother’s name and the father’s name,” explained senior Mariam Catania. “It’s very important to know the parents; it ups the price.”
For a portion of the showing, students rode the horses to showcase their temperament and grace.
Rodiek referred to the geldings as “green-broke” because they had barely been trained to ride.
“They’re real people-oriented,” she said. However, “they’ve got the mental experience of grade-school children.”
She said transporting the horses to a larger venue would have risked stress and injury to them.
Rodiek said the open house takes place about twice a year and is generally well-attended, though she said you can never tell who will buy.
“Some act like they’re going home to get the trailer, and then you never see them again,” she said. “Others come up and ask, cash or check?
The price of the horse isn’t set in stone, Catania said, and negotiating often takes place. The price largely depends on the pedigree; reductions can be made if more then one horse is bought.
The open house is the only time when the quarter horse unit is open to the pubic without appointment, Catania said. She said the program has about 15 volunteers including non-agriculture majors, and more volunteers are always welcome.
As to the favorite horse on the premise, she said that honor is reserved for the 27-year-old stallion, Pavo de Peppy, who’s fathered many descendents.
“He’s like our mascot,” Catania said. “He’s such a sweetheart and has so much life, even though he’s so old. He really got us on the map.”
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