A Driving Tour of Valley Horse Ranches
By Teona Tone Schley

  The Santa Ynez Valley has the perfect climate for raising horses, and it is home to many famous horses and horse trainers in every discipline. Several of these ranches allow visitors to tour their facilities to learn more about the particular breed or type of horse they raise. If you are interested in horses that are both beautiful and easy to ride, you should visit Rancho de la Florecita.   Owners Brian and Terry Jarchow raise and sell Peruvian Paso Horses that are an absolute dream to ride. Terry explains, “I had ridden all my life, but I had injured my back and couldn’t ride for 15 years.

  Then a friend told me about the Peruvian Pasos and they solved my problem—now I can ride for hours without worrying about my back.” In addition to having wonderful dispositions, these horses have a “broken, four-beat pace,” a smooth lateral gait that is inherited. All foals born to purebred parents have this gait. Columbus brought the first of this type of horse to Santo Domingo, then other Spanish explorers brought them to Peru, where they were isolated for several centuries from interbreeding with other types of horses. They were used by Peruvian ranchers as their major means of transportation until very recently. If you want a Western Pleasure or Reining show horse, you should visit Bella Cavalli Farms. They are located on Highway 246, in the middle of the shady avenue of giant cedars that links Solvang and Buellton. Two other facilities  you should be aware of are Monty Roberts’  Flag is Up Farms, also located on Highway 246 between Solvang and Buellton, and the Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables on Paradise Road, five miles east of Highway 154.
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