SDSU horse unit to host open house, horse sale this spring

BROOKINGS, S.D. — March 4, 2026 — The Equine Teaching Facility and the Department of Animal Science at South Dakota State University will host an open house from 2:30-4 p.m. March 28 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the on-campus horse barn.

The brick-and-mortar building west of Medary Avenue on the north edge of campus was originally used to house draft horses that assisted in farming South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station acres. The land was an opportunity for SDSU to investigate innovative agricultural methods to share with the people of South Dakota and beyond.

Agriculture remains a key focus of the university’s educational programs, and the barn continues to provide hands-on experience for students, faculty and others who use it. The facility includes almost all original features, seeing little renovation 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.”

The horse unit has made changes in the breeds of horses it works with, as well as some of their uses. These changes stem from innovations in agricultural technology, which in return have also shifted the focus in coursework. Despite these updates, the barn remains a key feature of the unit, especially for educational purposes.

Carmen Paulson currently teaches a variety of equine courses, providing students with real-world experience and preparing them for future career paths. The barn provides a space to foster growth and development across all classes.

“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.”

The barn will be open to the public for tours that afternoon, coordinated with the Little I Red Barn Reception held at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum for those interested in attending both.

The horse unit is located at 1423 Medary Ave. in Brookings.

Additionally, the department will host a horse sale at 1:30 p.m. May 2 at SDSU’s Animal Science Arena. Approximately 10 horses are expected to be offered for sale, including a mix of yearlings and 2-year-olds. The sale catalog has not yet been finalized but is expected to be available in April. Updates will be shared on the Equine Teaching Facility Horse Unit Instagram page: @horseunit25.

The colts were raised at the Equine Teaching Facility and have been incorporated into the department’s teaching program, providing them with extensive handling appropriate for their age. Each horse is registered with the American Quarter Horse Association and is up to date on recommended vaccinations and health standards. Additional information is available on the SDSU Department of Animal Science website: https://www.sdstate.edu/animal-science/animal-science-equine.

On the day of the sale, the horse unit will be open from 10 a.m. to noon for prospective buyers to view the colts. Interested buyers may also visit the Equine Teaching Facility prior to the sale; weekday visits are available by appointment and strongly encouraged. To schedule a visit or request additional information, including photos or videos, contact Eide at Jennifer.Eide@sdstate.edu, or reach out to the Animal Science office at 605-688-5165. Advance bids may also be submitted by email to Eide or delivered by certified mail or personally delivered to:

SDSU Department of Animal Science
Attn. Horse Sale
1907 N. Campus Drive
Brookings, SD 57007

SDSU’s on-campus horse barn, shown in 2005, will be open for tours March 28 for its 100th anniversary celebration.

About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. and two professional programs.

The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year were more than $94 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

For more information: SDSU News • http://www.sdstate.edu

-South Dakota State University