Spring at MSU’s Horse Farm: Foals, Future Farmers, and a Legacy of Champions

CORN, SOYBEANS, AND SOD...OH MY!

Mid-Michigan Agri-business is booming. Farmland in Ingham, Clinton, and Eaton Counties covers almost 475,000 acres, or five times the size of Detroit. The business of agriculture in Ingham County alone is worth about $51 million annually. Leading the way for Michigan agri-business is the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU.

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As one of the top agricultural colleges in the country, MSU conducts cutting-edge research in crop science, animal husbandry, and sustainable farming. The university also offers 20 undergraduate majors within the umbrella of the CANR. MSU is teaching the next generation of farmers how to feed the nation in the best possible ways. But beyond the continuing legacy of farming and agriculture, beyond the crops, it’s my opinion that the BEST part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the MSU Horse Farm. Why? It’s Spring and there are foals!

LOOK AT ALL THE BABIES!!!

The Horse Teaching and Research Center at MSU houses one of the oldest continuous Arabian horse breeding programs in the United States. It has  been ranked as one of the top 25 breeders of national champion Arabian horses for the past several years. In 2019, they had bred the most national champions in the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals.

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The farm also boasts draft and other working breeds giving students hands-on experience. MSU also has several clubs and teams for equine enthusiasts including the MSU Rodeo Club which hosts the Spartan Stampede Rodeo and sends teams to compete in National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association events.

JUST CALL ME TEN

Provided you haven’t been out of the country within the previous seven days, the Horse Teaching and Research Center allows visitors to take a self-guided tour 8:00am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday and 8:00am-12:00pm Saturday and Sunday. As the front gate states, “if the gates are closed, the farm is closed to visitors.”  If you’ve never been, I highly recommend a stroll with the horses, and show “10” some love. He likes ear scritches.