Student-trained horses for sale

By Jillian Yalung
The Collegian

This Saturday, Fresno State’s Quarter Horse Unit is holding its second open house of the fall semester.

The open house will allow the public to tour the facilities, learn about the programs offered at Fresno State and view horses available for sale.

The Quarter Horse Unit is an enterprise on campus that breeds, raises, trains and sells horses. It gives both students and the community an opportunity to better understand the work and time put into horses.

Working with the Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education, students are able to take part in the upbringing and training of horses by taking classes available at Fresno State.

There are also two colt training classes offered through the department for students majoring in animal science/equine science or for any student who is just interested in horses.

The unit will be selling eleven riding horses, five yearling colts and three broodmares.

The five yearling colts available for purchase are a special group because they were raised in the Equine Program and have been training this entire semester by students who are enrolled in the colt training class.

Yearlings will be on sale for $2,500, and the prices of riding horses and broodmares will vary upon the breeding and training of each individual horse.

Melinda Ramos, a technician trainee for the Quarter Horse Unit, said they will also be promoting their Young Stallion Program to the public.

Students are interested in showcasing their work and progress to the general public and attracting future buyers.

“We want prospective buyers to come out and ride,” said Ramos of the connection and experience that can be created with a buyer and a horse of interest.

All income generated from the sale of horses will go directly back to the academic programs and equine science activities.

Regarding student interaction, Ramos believes, “It is a great opportunity for students to experience and become a part of the equine industry.”

The open house will begin at 10 a.m. and will end at 2 p.m. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a short seminar on the vital signs of horses and to care for a horse.

The quarters are located at the north side of Barstow Avenue, between Cedar and Chestnut Avenues.

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