The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will host its 50th annual Colts in Training Sale May 2 at the Campus Farm. Preview rides will begin at 11 a.m. A live auction with both in-person and online bidding will begin at 2 p.m.
The colt sale has only been held virtually since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. The model proved to be efficient, but the landmark anniversary called for a special event.
“We’re going back to the big in-person event for the 50th,” said Assistant Professor of Animal Science and Equine Program Director Jennifer Weinert-Nelson, noting that more than 500 people attended the 40th anniversary sale in 2016. The event will serve as a reunion of sorts, with alumni events scheduled on Friday and Saturday.
50 colts will be offered for sale. All of the offerings have been trained by students in UWRF’s Colts in Training Program. Six of this year’s colts were foaled at UWRF. The rest came from outside breeders and owners who sent them to the program for training. After training, the horses go on to a variety of livelihoods.
“Students in the program set a foundation for each horse so they can go on and be successful in any discipline or sport,” said Nathan O’Connor, instructional administrator. He is in his 20th year of leading the Colts in Training Program. “Some become family horses or trail-riding horses. Others have gone on to be performance horses in the reining horse industry. We sell some of those rodeo-type horses, barrel horses and rope horses.”
Horse training at UWRF began in the 1960s under the umbrella of the Horse Science Institute, which consisted of workshops and short courses for adults. The Colts in Training course was first offered in 1972. Lawrence (Larry) Kasten, who provided leadership to UWRF’s nationally recognized horse science program for 30 years, introduced the Colts in Training Sale in 1976.
Student Sale Experience
Students in the program come from majors across the UWRF spectrum and are bound for all sorts of careers. However, they share one thing in common: a passion for horses.
Kira Prochnow, a senior food science major from Menomonie, will begin a position at AgSource Laboratories after graduation in May. When she chose to attend UWRF, she was very much hoping to be part of the Colts in Training program. Now in her third year participating, Prochnow said it has been a rewarding experience. She mentioned that will benefit her for the rest of her life.
“My experience in the Colts in Training program has been the best!” Prochnow said. “I have learned so much and have become a better rider. I will be able to take the knowledge and skills I have gained and be able to apply them to any horses I may work with in the future.”
Student Education
For students who want to pursue a degree focused on horses, UWRF offers an animal science major with an equine option.
Students who graduate from the animal science program may go on to work in agricultural fields as diverse as feed or pharmaceutical sales, reproduction companies or physical rehab, O’Connor explained. Some become certified as both human and equine chiropractors. Quite a few go on to graduate or veterinary school.
Student trainers spend many hours not just riding and training the horses but also doing chores morning and night seven days a week. That work ethic is important to prospective employers.
Students are also in charge of marketing the event. They create the sale catalog, take photos and video and share them on Facebook, where potential buyers can watch the colts grow and develop.
Funds raised through colt training fees and the sale of school horses make up the majority of the overall equine program’s funding.
