The 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.
Today the Barn stands as the oldest original
structure on the core campus. Perfectly
located in the Cole Facility and directly across
from Meyer Hall. Students are only a step away
from the history of the Barn and the future of the
equine industry. The Barn has undergone many
changes since its construction, but the structure is
almost completely original.
Breeding Shed
The Breeding Shed was built in 1940 while the
Barn was breeding thoroughbreds. Later in the
1980's tease walls and the phantom were installed.
The Shed is used for breeding and teaching needs.
Reproduction Lab
The Horse Barn is a fully equipped commercial
breeding facility. We have some of the most
advanced reproductive equipment enabling us to offer
top notch reproductive services as well as advanced
teaching for our students.
The lab is equipped
with Incubators, Ultrasound machine, CASA Machine,
Cell Freezer and Liquid Nitrogen Tanks.
- Stallion Collection, shipping, freezing of semen
and storage
- Artificial Insemination with fresh and shipped
cooled semen
- Mare Care and Foaling services with Foalert system
and 24hr care
- On hand Colostrum Bank
- Located only minutes from Veterinary Medical
Teaching Hospital
- Located only 20 minutes from Sacramento
International Airport
Foaling Stalls
We offer 12' x 22' foaling stalls that have the
floors rubber mat lined and sealed as well as the
walls plastic lined so that the stall can be cleaned
between foaling. As well as offering Foalert
system so that no foal is missed and 24hr care, we
can assure a happy and healthy foal. With the
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital only minutes
away we can offer state of the art foaling services
and peace of mind that Veterinarian assistance is
only a stones throw away.
Mare Motel
We offer a 10 stall Mare Motel for our Breeding and
Foaling clients. The stalls are cleaned daily
and have individual runs. With timed lights as
well early breeders are of no concern with changing
weather. Each stall is securely shut during
evening feeding so that your mare receives the
appropriate light schedule. The Budweiser
Clydesdales stayed in our Mare Motel during the
Opening and Dedication of UC Davis's Robert
Mondavi
Institute for
Wine and
Food.
Exercise Areas
As part of our Production Internship the students
learn about exercise programs for both the yearlings,
mares
and stallions. We are equipped with a 20' Priefert Hotwalker
and a 45' diameter roundpen.
Arena
Our arena is located directly across from Meyer Hall
and can be seen from La Rue Road. Our arena is
mainly used by Barn personnel for exercise of
Stallions, Mares, Yearlings and weanlings. A
great sized arena that was built in the 1960's, the
arena is perfect for Western events and driving.
The arena is home to the Draft Horse and Driving
Club as well as the Rodeo Club. It is also
used by the Polo Club during Picinc Day.
Pasture
We also have 5 acres of irrigated pasture split into
three sections located above the Arboretum and just
west of Old Davis Road. It is perfect for our
horses once teaching is done to go to pasture and be
horses. Most of our herd is maintained in
pasture year round.
