Student employees at the Equestrian Center prepare for new additions to the stables

The Quarter Horse Unit, at Fresno State’s Student Horse Center, is getting ready for some new additions to the classroom. Several mares will give birth this spring with the help of dedicated student staff members.

The Quarter Horse unit is just one of two places on campus where students care for and train horses. It’s also home to some of the school’s most unique classes and experiences in the equine sciences.  

Programs in the equine sciences give students hands-on experience with horses throughout the year and during breeding season – one of the most important times of the year for the program.

Whether the students are getting paid or volunteering their time, their professors prepare them well.

Equine science major and upcoming graduate Katelyn Williams was on call for the birth of baby horses as an intern last year. When the time came, Williams dropped everything and got to work.

“I was at a practice at 9:00 at night last spring and I got a call from my professor saying he needed my help with the birth,” Williams said.

Emilee Rose, head of breeding and reproduction, said this year they’re preparing for several mares to give birth.

“We currently have five mares that are about to full out this year,” Rose said.

Programs in the equine sciences offer classes in horse production, horse management, stable management, equine nutrition and colt training for horses that compete in rodeos.

Student staff members take care of rodeo horses, train them for competition and prepare them for the breeding season.

Kait Blevins, a student trainer at Fresno State, is also on the rodeo team and she cares for Virgil, a former rodeo champion horse.

“He is currently open for the 2025 breeding season,” Blevins said.

For information on horses for sale or available for breeding visit jcast.fresnostate.edu.