Murray State University Equine Center

Murray State University Equine Center Providing information on Equine Center events, updates on university horses, and information about our equestrian teams and clubs.

The MSU Equine Center is home to the Equine Science Program and the MSU Equestrian Teams. Facilities at the Center include the Equine Instructional Facility, the University barn (for University horses), several barns for housing student-owned horses, a lighted outdoor riding arena, an outdoor dressage arena, turn out lots for both student and University owned horses, a wash rack, and several round pens. The Equine Instructional Facility, located at the Equine Center, was funded by the Higher Educational Equine Trust and Revolving Fund. It opened its doors on October 31, 1998, and added the MSU Equine Science departmental offices, a riding preparation area, two tack rooms, a round pen, indoor arena, and a classroom to the Center’s facilities. In 2013, an additional classroom, offices, and meeting areas were created to house the growing program. The University’s Equine Program allows students both traditional classroom learning as well as hands-on opportunities in the areas of equine health care management, reproduction, exercise physiology, and nutrition. In addition, there are opportunities for students to be involved with the Intercollegiate Horse Show teams, both hunt seat and stock seat, the Rodeo Team, and the Dressage Club. All teams are involved in various competitions throughout the academic year.

Both our Western and Hunt Seat IHSA teams will be hosting home shows this fall! These shows are open to spectators, and ...
09/21/2026

Both our Western and Hunt Seat IHSA teams will be hosting home shows this fall! These shows are open to spectators, and we’d love to see you there and give you a chance to see what our program is all about. Come cheer on our riders and support our teams!

This week’s Spotlight Saturday shines on one of the newest members of our herd, Harley! 🐴✨Harley (Z Hidden Spectacle) is...
09/19/2026

This week’s Spotlight Saturday shines on one of the newest members of our herd, Harley! 🐴✨

Harley (Z Hidden Spectacle) is a 2018 POA mare who joined our program this semester. She is a lease horse who was brought in for our Breaking and Training class, with the goal of preparing her to become a valuable part of other classes and team practices in the future.

We are so thankful to her lessor for sharing Harley with us and giving our students the opportunity to work with her!

Do you have a horse who could help teach and support our students? Send us a DM — we’d love to hear from you! 💙

🏇 Spotlight Saturday is shining on a very special member of our herd — our very own Racer 1! 🏇Vegas (Vegas Impulse) is a...
09/12/2026

🏇 Spotlight Saturday is shining on a very special member of our herd — our very own Racer 1! 🏇

Vegas (Vegas Impulse) is a 2012 AQHA gelding who was born and bred right here at Murray State. This year marks his eighth year serving as the university’s mascot, tying him with the first Racer 1, Violet Cactus, as the longest-running Racer 1 in Murray State history!

This weekend, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Racer 1 tradition! Be sure to stop by the football game to say hello to Vegas and his Jockey, and take the opportunity to meet some of the past Jockeys who have helped carry on this special Murray State tradition.

We’re proud to have Vegas representing the Racer family and can’t wait to celebrate 50 years of Racer 1! 💙🐎

🌟 Spotlight Saturday: Holly 🌟Next up for Spotlight Saturday is Holly (Hollywood Mega Star)!Holly is a 2006 AQHA mare who...
09/05/2026

🌟 Spotlight Saturday: Holly 🌟

Next up for Spotlight Saturday is Holly (Hollywood Mega Star)!

Holly is a 2006 AQHA mare who serves as one of our program’s talented reining horses. Beyond the arena, she is also one of our go-to horses for unmounted lessons and demonstrations thanks to her kind and gentle nature.

This week alone, Holly helped teach a new student the basics of grooming and assisted stable manager Katie in introducing around 100 Intro to Agriculture students to the fundamentals of horse handling.

Holly is a beloved and valued member of our herd, and we are so grateful for all she does for our program. 🐴💙

Share your favorite photos, memories, or stories about Holly in the comments below!

🌟 Welcome to Spotlight Saturday! 🌟Each week, we’ll be shining the spotlight on a horse from our amazing school herd!Firs...
08/29/2026

🌟 Welcome to Spotlight Saturday! 🌟

Each week, we’ll be shining the spotlight on a horse from our amazing school herd!

First up for the fall semester is Beckham (Impulsively A Gem)! Beckham, or “Becky” to his friends, is a 2009 Appendix gelding and a favorite of our hunt seat team. 💙

Have a favorite photo or story about Beckham? Share it in the comments below! 🐴📸

Here is the arena schedule for the Fall 2026 semester. Please remember that classes and practices take priority in the a...
08/24/2026

Here is the arena schedule for the Fall 2026 semester. Please remember that classes and practices take priority in the arena.

Murray State University’s Equine Program is saddened to announce the passing of our oldest and longest-serving herd memb...
08/22/2026

Murray State University’s Equine Program is saddened to announce the passing of our oldest and longest-serving herd member, Baldy, following a battle with cancer.

Baldy joined the program in 2004 as a three-year-old c**t, originally coming to us to be used in our breaking and training classes. Over the next 22 years, he became so much more than a lesson horse. He was a steadfast and beloved member of the Murray State Equine family.

Throughout his time at Murray State, Baldy proudly served in both mounted and unmounted classes and lessons and was a particular favorite among our equestrian team students. His kind, gentle nature made him an exceptional horse for beginners, and he patiently introduced countless students to the sport of horseback riding.

Baldy also traveled with both our Hunt Seat and Western teams over the years, becoming a favorite IHSA draw horse and carrying many students to blue ribbons. He had a remarkable ability to take care of his riders, whether they were taking their first lesson or stepping into the show ring.

Baldy touched the lives of countless students, faculty, staff, and horsemen and women throughout his long career. He was a truly special horse, and his absence will be deeply felt around the Equine Center.

We will miss him dearly.

Please feel free to share a special memory of Baldy or a favorite photo in the comments. We would love to hear from the many people whose lives he touched over the years.

Last up in our summer series of showing what our horses are doing over break is our most famous resident, Vegas, aka Rac...
07/17/2026

Last up in our summer series of showing what our horses are doing over break is our most famous resident, Vegas, aka Racer 1!

Vegas has spent most of his summer relaxing out in the pasture with his buddies, but he’s starting to gear up for a new season of Racer Football! Last night, he joined his friends from the football team at the Watermelon Bust at the Doran Arboretum. He was excited to see his fans and looks forward to seeing them in just a few weeks on the track for the first game of the season!

It’s happening!!! We’re so excited to be able to watch the construction of the Murray State College of Veterinary Medici...
07/10/2026

It’s happening!!! We’re so excited to be able to watch the construction of the Murray State College of Veterinary Medicine right outside our office windows!

With plans to have the first class starting in fall of 2029, this will be the Commonwealth’s first veterinary school!

This week, we're featuring JC and Teller, who are also spending their summer at camp! These two are at an all-boys camp ...
07/07/2026

This week, we're featuring JC and Teller, who are also spending their summer at camp! These two are at an all-boys camp in North Carolina, where they're helping campers build and refine their horsemanship skills through daily riding lessons.

When they're not hard at work in the arena, JC and Teller enjoy relaxing together in their shady pasture. We're proud of the role they're playing this summer and look forward to welcoming them back to campus soon!

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MSU 2111 College Farm Road
Murray, KY
42071

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