| on horses in California and some people will give you a | | | | California counties, horse racing is an extremely |
| bit of a strange look. Those who are unfamiliar with | | | | popular sport. |
| California with the exception of wine country in the | | | | Therefore, when it comes to horses in California, it's |
| Napa Valley and major cities like San Francisco, Los | | | | impossible to say that there is only a single breed that |
| Angeles and San Diego, for example, might wonder | | | | is most common. For those who are involved in racing |
| exactly where people in California would keep their | | | | and training horses for the racetrack, Thoroughbreds |
| horses. Of course, horses have been kept in California | | | | are a popular choice. Many choose Arabian horses for |
| even into the modern age, even by ordinary | | | | their beauty. Paint horses are common. And, of course, |
| Californians. | | | | when it comes to ranching and rodeo horses in |
| Most famously, Californian Ronald Reagan owned | | | | California, the American Quarter Horse is as popular |
| horses and was very fond of going on a ride, | | | | and common as it is in Texas and Nevada. |
| whenever he was at home. While the Reagan's | | | | When looking at horses for sale in California, part of |
| occupied the White House, both Ronald and Nancy | | | | the decision will be made based on why the person is |
| were the proud owners of Arabian horses. Ronald | | | | buying a horse, in the first place. Someone who is |
| Reagan's horse was a white Arabian stallion named El | | | | planning to work their horse on a ranch is not going to |
| Alamein, gifted to him in 1981 by the Mexican President, | | | | look for a Thoroughbred or a warmblood horse; they |
| Jorge. Nancy's horse was a chestnut gelding named | | | | are going to look at the American Quarter Horse, or |
| Catalina Muzraff. | | | | possibly a Pinto or Paint horses, because those horses |
| Just as the Reagan's had their own working ranch | | | | are better suited to the buyers' needs. Likewise, |
| called, Rancho del Cielo, near Santa Barbara, California, | | | | someone who is looking for horses in California |
| to the north and west of Los Angeles, many | | | | because they intend to train it for dressage are going |
| Californian's have working ranches and farms in every | | | | to look for different horses, than someone who will be |
| nook and cranny of the state. | | | | racing or simply riding casually. |
| Likewise, those who do their research will find that | | | | It's important to have an understanding of horse |
| horses in California don't just exist on working cattle | | | | breeds and what constitutes a healthy horse when |
| ranches. At many of the state's Pacific Coast | | | | you're looking at a list of horses for sale. The condition |
| beaches, it's possible to enjoy horseback riding on the | | | | of the horse's hair, teeth, hearing and eyesight are |
| beach. The same is true for those who are visiting the | | | | important. The horse's hooves should be strong and |
| state's redwood forests, the Sierra Mountains and | | | | healthy. The horse should have a solid muscle |
| various other areas throughout the state. | | | | structure and, those who are looking for horses in |
| That doesn't mean that all of the horses in California | | | | California know, the legs of the horse should be |
| are only there for the benefit of those who are | | | | straight and free of bumps and scars that could |
| working on a cattle ranch or for tourists, plenty of | | | | indicate a previous injury. Because not every injury a |
| regular folks who live in California also own horses. | | | | horse has sustained will be clearly documented or |
| After all, with a trailer in tow, they too can take their | | | | visible, it's always important to have a horse checked |
| horse and ride along the shore, on trails in the forests, | | | | out by a veterinarian before making a purchase. |
| in state parks and even in the Sierras. | | | | Despite the way people from across the world may |
| Many others look for horses in California because, well, | | | | perceive California in their mind's eye, horses in |
| like anywhere else, they have a love of the animal and | | | | California are quite popular and provide their owners |
| have the space to keep one. They know that they are | | | | with a great way to see some of the state's beautiful |
| able to take long rides in meadows and pastures. | | | | landscapes. Choosing a horse is a matter of |
| They know that their kids can benefit from learning to | | | | understanding the reason why you are buying a horse, |
| care for horses (in fact, one program uses horses in | | | | what breed of horse is best for that purpose, and |
| California to boost the self-esteem and nurturing | | | | focusing on finding a horse with the right disposition and |
| abilities of kids and teens who are struggling). Others | | | | temperament to create a long lasting relationship - |
| want to be able to work with horses and train them | | | | something that's true whether you are buying horses in |
| for rodeo events and other competitions. In some | | | | California or somewhere elsewhere. |