By Scout Nelson
Information shared by South Dakota State University highlights upcoming events hosted by the Equine Teaching Facility and the Department of Animal Science. The university will hold a public open house on March 28 and a horse sale later this spring. These events celebrate the long history of the campus horse barn and provide opportunities for community engagement and education.
The open house will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 28. The event celebrates the 100th anniversary of the universities on campus horse barn located west of Medary Avenue on the north edge of the Brookings campus.
The building was originally constructed to house draft horses that helped farmland used by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The station used these acres to test new agricultural ideas and practices that could benefit farmers across the state.
Today, agriculture remains a major part of the university’s teaching programs. The horse barn continues to support hands-on learning for students, faculty members, and visitors. Many of the original features of the building remain because only limited renovations have been made over the years.
“It really is an icon here on the corner of campus,” said Rosie Nold, assistant dean for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and faculty supervisor of the Equine Teaching Facility (horse unit). “The barn has been the center of numerous classes, outreach activities and student-centered activities such as Little International. The specific details have changed in terms of how it serves the university and the public, but it's always been there.”
Students studying animal science use the facility to gain real world experience in equine care and management. The horses used in the teaching program support a wide range of activities.
“I think it's just a great outdoor classroom,” said Jennifer Eide, Equine Teaching Facility manager. “It’s special to have this herd of horses that can do anything from little kids’ classes up to adults and then fill in all the needs of the animal science department, whether its Little International, state FFA and other things like that.”
Visitors attending the open house will be able to tour the historic barn. The event will take place alongside the Little I Red Barn Reception at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum for those interested in both activities.
In addition, the university will host a horse sale on May 2 at 1:30 p.m. at the SDSU Animal Science Arena. About 10 horses are expected to be offered, including yearlings and 2-year-old horses.
The horses were raised at the Equine Teaching Facility and have been used in the department’s teaching program. Each horse is registered with the American Quarter Horse Association and has received recommended vaccinations and health care. Additional information is available on the SDSU equine program webpage.
Buyers will be able to view the horses on the morning of the sale or schedule visits before the event by contacting the SDSU Department of Animal Science.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, General