Students enrolled in the YHTRP at the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) worked diligently since September 2010 to prepare their young mustangs for showing in the Ag Field Day at Rutgers Day annual Horse Show on April 30, and make them superior "value added" items at the annual auction on May 1. The two and three-year old mustangs are now well versed in routine procedures such as grooming, standing tied, leading at a walk and trot, lunging both free in the round pen and on a line, and desensitized to a variety of "scary" stimuli such as dogs, umbrellas, hoses, and crowds of people clapping.  Several of the horses have had more advanced training such as ground driving and bowing at command.  This is an excellent opportunity for potential buyers to see the mustangs in action.

     “Each year, over sixteen students commit themselves to one or two semesters of researching, training, and handling young horses,” said Dr. Sarah Ralston, associate professor of Animal Science at Rutgers and associate director of teaching with the Equine Science Center. “The annual preview and auction is a proud moment for students, as well as for me. It is our opportunity to showcase months of hard work to individuals who will hopefully provide a good home for our young horses.”

     Mustang previews and auction are free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend the Saturday, April 16 event as well as witness the YHTRP Horse Show on Saturday, April 30. Two mustangs will be available for adoption under BLM regulation immediately after the Horse Show, but adopters must be pre-approved by the BLM.  The rest of the mustangs will be available for purchase on Sunday, May 1.  Bidders must be registered to bid ($15 before May 1, $20 on the day of the auction.  The auctioneer will be Dennis Cassidy.

     For additional information, visit the Young Horse Teaching and Research Program at http://younghorse.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-9404. 

YHTRP 2010 - 2011 Auction Sales Slip