1940's photo of the Animal Science
Horse Barn
The Department of Animal Science Horse Barn has
been a mainstay of the University of California,
Davis since its foundation in the early 1910s. The
Horse Barn began as a carriage house for draft
horses and mules used in agricultural work for the
university. It later became a remount station
for the US Army standing several stallions including
the thoroughbred stallion Gunrock, son of Man O'
War, who started as the mascot for the men's
basketball team in 1924 and later served as the
official mascot for the university. The barn
also served as a successful Thoroughbred breeding
operation from the 1930s through the 1960s. It
has, recently, become a promising performance horse
breeding operation producing quality quarter
horses, mules, and warmbloods. The Percheron
draft horses have even returned to the barn.
The Horse Barn strives to educate its
students about all aspects of equine reproduction
and management
via hands-on experience. Today, the barn houses two AQHA stallions, a Selle Francais stallion, and a world champion Mammoth Jack.
These stallions are offered to the public and all
proceeds directly benefit the equine education
program. Tours are available by appointment and
we are open Monday through Friday
from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
