Our Beginnings

Over one hundred years ago in the Temecula Valley, 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 1960's; 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 75 years, the family has been in the Temecula Valley for over 30 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 Clydesdales) 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.

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, Leathergoods, 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. 

Fun For The Whole Family

With a staff of over 20 people, Big Horse provides a variety of products for a wide range of riding and driving disciplines combined with friendly service. An extensive gift and book selection complement the pet and small animal departments that make this location unique. Clinics are held throughout the year and many are held right on the property itself. Many Myler bitting clinics happen at the location since Big Horse is the sole distributor for large horse bits (anything over 5 ½") for the Myler family, along with other seminars with well known clinicians. 

To add to the variety, the Corona family also hosts a Pumpkin and Harvest Festival every year during the month of October which includes educational classes for school children along with an 8 acre corn maze. "That maze," Miss Corona says, "adds a lot to the retail operation. It provides families that don't have horses to experience the farm and also see that we aren't just a place that only sells feed for animals. They can come in a see a Kerrits line for example, and buy the product to jog in or wear around the house and be comfortable, yet never have to own a horse! Besides, the maze provides me the one opportunity a year to charge people for something and have them actually enjoy me telling them to "Get Lost!" 

Big Horse is open 7 days a week and closed only 4 days out of the year. Welcome to the site!