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Horse auction in Mira Loma

A horse auction gets underway at Mike's Livestock Auction in Mira Loma in Riverside County.

A horse auction gets underway at Mike’s Livestock Auction in Mira Loma in Riverside County.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Horses are paying the price for an Inland Empire economy in shambles. They are increasingly being sold or abandoned by owners who can no longer afford to feed and care for the large animals. Much like the region’s homes, the market value of horses has plummeted -- making them difficult for struggling families to unload. Story | Video

Horseman

Horse trader Butch Williams sits at the entrance to Mike’s Livestock Auction. He later bought a horse that was refused by the auction house because of an injury to its face.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Biding their time

Horses wait until auction officials call their lot number.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Closer look

Manuel Guzman examines a horse’s teeth to estimate its age.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Presentation

A horse is presented to prospective buyers sitting behind the fence at Mike’s Livestock Auction.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Auctioneer

An auctioneer calls the bids for a horse at Mike’s Livestock Auction in Mira Loma.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Bid

A woman bids on a horse.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Chat

A member of the auction staff talks with prospective buyers.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Bleeding horse

A bleeding horse that auction officials refused to sell. Its owner later sold it directly to a buyer.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Cashier

Buyers line up to pay for horses purchased in the auction.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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