Twelve horses and four mules -- bred, raised and trained by animal science students -- are due to be auctioned June 21 in UC Davis' 16th annual Horse Production Sale.

Students and staff of the Animal Science Horse Barn coordinate the sale. Proceeds -- traditionally amounting to $20,000 to $30,000 -- support the animal science department's Equine Management Program for students preparing for careers in the horse industry or for further studies in veterinary medicine or graduate school.

The sale list this year comprises two weanling, five yearling and five adult horses, plus three yearling mules and a 2-year-old mule. A breeding with a UC Davis stallion also will be auctioned, organizers said.

"All of our horses are from champion bloodlines and have impeccable training and handling abilities," said Nicole Webster, horse barn manager.

The 2008 sale animals include registered American quarter horses, an American paint horse, warmbloods eligible for registration with the Selle Francais Association, and registered mules.

The auction is set for 6 p.m., but activity starts at 3 with preview of the sale animals, and a barbecue, all at the horse barn. More information, including the sale animals' pedigrees, and directions to the horse barn, is available online, animalscience.ucdavis.edu/horsebarn.

-- Pat Bailey