Horses
One of the early draft horses used for farm work at
Penn State. Buildings in the background were part
of the old East Barn Complex.
Horses of various types and breeds have long been a part of Penn State history. Draft horses provided the power necessary to plow, harrow, cultivate, mow, rake, harvest, and haul the crops grown on the College farms. They also moved soil in excavating basements for buildings, hauled stone for buildings, walls, and, in general, did the heavy work required as the College grew.
Horses were indispensable in an era without trucks and tractors. Barns to house these heavy horses were constructed in several locations on what is now the central campus. In addition to draft horses, light-leg driving horses pulled carriages that carried dignitaries to college functions, and riding horses furnished another means of transportation and recreation.
In what is now the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, horses have contributed primarily to the teaching program for undergraduate students. The aim has always been the production of quality animals that would contribute to the education of students. A complete program of selection, breeding, feeding, stable management, and marketing has been followed.
Draft horses were first used in this program; Belgians and Percherons were selected as the breeds to be emphasized. One of the notable Percheron stallions used during the early years was a son of Laet, considered to be the premier stallion in the history of the Percheron breed. Three Land-Grant Universities (Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan State) headed their Percheron breeding operations with Laet sons. All became prominent in the production of quality animals.
A large barn designed for draft horses was constructed in 1929. This barn, located near Beaver Stadium, is still being used, although there have been some modifications and additions made. Another 24-stall barn has been added where stallions are housed and mares foal.
The 1949 Livestock Improvement Act had a significant impact on the horse program. The decision was made to acquire some of the very best Percheron horses available and to exhibit these horses at the major shows. Elmer Taft, a well-known conditioner and showman of draft horses, was hired to head this effort.
A number of champions followed, most notably the mare Linda Hope, who won numerous halter championships. Later during the1950s, the Department embarked on a rather short-lived Morgan horse breeding and showing project with considerable success in the show ring. Of note was the record of the mare Quaker Lady, who was many times champion model mare at the National Morgan Horse Show. In 1955 the Quarter Horse stallion Sorrel Chief was purchased as a yearling from Michigan State University, and the era of the Quarter Horse began.
The American Quarter Horse was the breed of choice for departmental emphasis because of their popularity in the state and nation and because livestock judging contests had replaced draft horses with Quarter Horses in those contests. Two mares, Akins Shirley and WMD Orphan Annie, became the foundation broodmares in the breeding program.
In 1963, E. B. Rickard of Ann Arbor, Michigan, donated the stallion Poco Shade to the department. Poco Shade was by Poco Bueno and out of the mare Shady Dell, the leading broodmare of the breed at that time. Poco Shade was bred to daughters of Sorrel Chief, producing some outstanding fillies that became part of the broodmare band. Charles Pritchard from Flemington, New Jersey, donated a group of 20 Quarter Horses to the University in 1969. Among the horses donated was the stallion Rebel Sir and the mare Coral Bars. These horses contributed greatly to the success of the horse breeding operation in the years to follow.
During this same period, the University received a donation of 18 high quality Arabians from a breeder in Akron, Ohio. El Effendi, one of the stallions donated, was the National Reserve Champion Park Horse. Because of limited facilities, personnel, and funds, the Arabian horses were sold two years following their acquisition.
Author: Tom Merritt, Professor of Animal Science
