Wild horses are an iconic symbol of the vast and beautiful American West. There are few things more breathtaking than the sight of one of these beautiful creatures in the wild. It’s estimated that over 30,000 wild horses still roam western public lands and the government has made efforts to manage or reduce these populations. The horses at this unique wild horse sanctuary come from all over, but they all share one thing in common: they’ve been brought to the sanctuary to roam free and live their happiest lives. Luckily for us, the sanctuary is open to the public and it makes for an amazing day trip you’re bound to remember. Saddle up! This is one place you’ll want to see with your own eyes.
The tiny town of Shingletown can be found in the hills just below Mount Lassen in Shasta County. Home to just 2,200 people, this little community isn't very well-known. However, it's here that you'll find an amazing wild horse sanctuary that is just begging for a visit.
Simply called The Wild Horse Sanctuary, this place is home to over 300 wild horses and burros who are allowed to run free over this beautiful swath of land. These horses come from all over the place, gathered by goverment agencies from regions such as White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and Sheldon-Hart Mt. Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.
The sanctuary boasts a very specific mission to "protect and preserve America's wild horses as a living national treasure by providing range sanctuary in an ecologically balanced environment". The region is comprised of 5,000 acres of lush lava rock-strewn meadows and forest land. This region is absolutely beautiful and it's the perfect home for these wonderful animals.
You can see these stunning creatures for yourself when you visit the sanctuary. It's open to the public for wild horse viewings from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and there is absolutely no cost. Along with providing a home for the horses, the sanctuary also has a goal of educating the public about herd dynamics and the historical value of America's population of wild horses.
Have you been dreaming of a getaway? The sanctuary also offers 2-3 day trail rides in which you can view these gorgeous horses in the wild while enjoying comfortable cabin camping, campfire dinners, and horseback riding through the wilderness.
The sanctuary also provides a unique option for guests to sponsor their very own wild horse. Contributing as a sponsor means one of the sanctuary's horses is fed and cared for thanks to you. And as a sponsor, you can visit your horse at any time!
There's something truly amazing about getting a glimpse at these wild horses. Yes, they are beautiful, but they also represent a slice of the Old West. These horses are emblematic of our state's western roots and seeing them should be on every Californian's bucket list.
