About Big Horse Feed Store
Over one hundred years ago in the Temecula Valley, Early Temecula the Vail family and their cattle ranch operation covered over 100,000 acres of grazing and farming land in this beautiful little town with perfect weather. The Butterfield Stagecoach had a stop through this town and even President Ronald Reagan owned property on the Santa Rosa Plateau at one time. Eventually the ranch was sold off for development in the mid 1960s; however, the unique combination of western history and location remained and made this sleepy little cow town into a destination for families, homeowners, horseman and travelers far and wide. Now known for its unique combination of history, antique shopping, famous wineries, horse ranches and trails, balloon festivals, casino, and golf courses, Temecula has grown from a population of around 200 to over 100,000 people.
Much has changed the landscape of Temecula. A six-lane highway cuts through the center of where cattle once roamed. The bunkhouse and ranch headquarters are still there but surrounded and lost behind Kohls and Wal-Mart. The mill and granite quarry are long gone. Where once open farm and grazing land dominated the landscape, now there is nothing but one row crop farm left which still operates on 165 acres. It is here, along with the farming operation, that Big Horse Feed and Mercantile has combined the charm of old fashioned service and rural lifestyle without sacrificing the demands of modern retail.
Why We're Big Horse Feed
Big Horse Feed is more than just a feed store. It is an experience. Opened as a sideline to the Corona Family's farming operation of more than 85 years, the family has been in the Temecula Valley for over 40 years and has seen the area dramatically grow and change from rural to urban. Rose Corona, owner of Big Horse feed said "Once my brother was asked 'What was the top producing crop a farmer can grow in California?' and his response was "Houses."
Big Horse got its unique name from the identification the community has acquired as a result of the large draft horses owned and driven by Miss Corona. Since draft horses (yes, like the Clydesdale's) were not a predominant or often seen breed around the area, people always knew where the Corona Ranch was located simply by saying:
"Oh yeah, we know where you are. You're the one with the Big Horses!"
More Than Just A Feed Store
Started in 1998, the store, which started out primarily with feed, expanded quickly into a location well known; not only for a friendly equestrian retail store with a well stocked tack department, but also a retail experience that even a non-horse owner could find inviting and fun. Known for its eclectic combination of equestrian, outdoor and lifestyle living retail products, Big Horse has created a destination location for the public from ages 9 months to 90 years old.
From the outside you would not realize that there are items throughout the store ranging from reflecting an era of nostalgia to the realm of high end jewelry and fashion. Well known mainstream department store and catalog lines such as Brighton Jewelry, Leather Goods, Tsunami and County Clothing Apparel, Roper and Ariat, shoes and clothing have helped to establish Big Horse as a retail store with quality items at good prices.
Big Horse Feed Store is open 7 days a week and closed only 4 days out of the year. For more information, please go to their website.