Webjugate

Horseback riding played a vital roll in the history and development of California from Spanish colonial times until less than a hundred years ago. It seems strange that the Spaniards did not start to move into California until the end of the 18th century. The enormous push they made in the 16th century showed tremendous energy, resourcefulness and courage. After the final defeat of the Moors in 1492 they were the leading nation of the world and they were ready to tackle anything. Their strength began to dwindle a hundred years later with the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the tightening stranglehold of religious fanatics which led weak monarchs into disastrous mistakes.

It is interesting to speculate how different it might have been for America if the Spaniards had settled the fertile valleys of California with the same dedication they used to wipe out the mighty Inca Empire. One thing the Spaniards managed to do was to keep the tremendous power of horses away from Native Americans until the Santa Fe revolt of 1680. Before that time there was almost no horseback riding in California, but in the 18th century horses and riding spread like wildfire among the Indians of West, making them a much more formidable military threat.

Today horseback riding in California is mostly for recreation though it is still important for working cows on large ranches. People easily and quickly forget their history and what enabled their ancestors to progress.