S&D Horseback Riding

A little spirit, a lot of beauty, and a future full of possibilities. This stunning Friesian-Percheron mare has the looks to stop traffic and a personality we're just beginning to discover! Previously trained to ride and drive, she arrived at S&D Horseback Riding in Norco, California, with experience under saddle and plenty of spirit. Her first moments with us were a little eventful as she attempted to dodge her handlers during a trailer transfer, but once settled, she demonstrated a relaxed attitude. Over the next 45 days, our team will focus on evaluating her temperament, refining her training, and determining whether she has the patience and willingness to work with first-time and beginner riders. We're hopeful that with a little polishing, she'll become a wonderful Equine Ambassador, carrying guests along the beautiful trails of Hidden Valley Wildlife Preserve, but only time will tell what her future holds. No matter the outcome, we're committed to giving her the care, patience, and opportunity she deserves to thrive. Help The Showstopper shine! Your donation supports her recovery, training, and evaluation as we work toward giving her the brightest future possible.

Sometimes a second chance feels like meeting an old friend. Some horses touch your heart before you even know their story, and this Thoroughbred is one of them. When Sonja, owner and creator of S&D Horseback Riding, first saw him, he reminded her of Rex, a horse who once held a special place in her life. Much older than originally represented, this beautiful gelding appears to have experienced several difficult years, arriving with a healing head injury and skin that scars easily. Despite his past, his structure appears sound and we're hopeful that with proper nutrition, care, and 45 days of active recovery, we'll discover the quiet, dependable horse beneath it all. He was headed toward slaughter before Border Rescue helped reduce his purchase price and Bowie Livestock assisted with transportation, giving S&D the opportunity to bring him home and offer him a second chance. His next chapter starts here. Your donation helps provide the nutrition, veterinary attention, and daily care he needs to thrive.

His biggest challenge isn't his size. It's the road ahead. This gentle giant has a long road ahead, but his story is far from over. Recovered from a feedlot, this 2,000-pound Belgian Draft arrived at S&D Horseback Riding in Norco, California, with significant hoof and soundness challenges, leaving him uncomfortable on all four feet. Rebuilding the hooves of a horse his size is no small undertaking, requiring specialized farrier care, patience, and a significant financial commitment. While every recovered horse begins with 45 days of active recovery, this Belgian Draft is expected to need six to nine months of continued rehabilitation before reaching his full potential. There are challenges ahead, but with the right care and support, we're hopeful he can find comfort, strength, and a brighter future.

When this Belgian Draft gelding arrived at S&D Horseback Riding after being recovered from a feedlot, his condition told only part of his story. Underneath the weight he needed to gain was a strong, confident horse with the potential for a completely different future. His first days at S&D focused on giving him time to adjust, introducing him to his new herd, evaluating his health and temperament, and beginning his recovery at our Norco ranch. Just three months later, his transformation is hard to miss. With consistent nutrition, individualized care, exercise, and time to acclimate to ranch life, he has gained healthy weight and is showing more of his personality. But S&D's Horse Recovery Program isn't only about physical transformation. Each recovered horse is evaluated to better understand what they know, what they're comfortable doing, and what kind of purpose they may have in their next chapter. When the time was right, the S&D team saddled him up for his first ride. That important step helped us learn more about his training, riding knowledge, and abilities under saddle. Eventually, he was ready to leave the ranch on horseback and experience the trails alongside other S&D horses. Today, recovered horses like him are an important part of the story behind S&D Horseback Riding in Norco, Horsetown USA. Through horseback riding experiences in and around the Hidden Valley Wildlife Preserve, our guests get to experience Southern California on horseback while their patronage helps support the care, feeding, training, and continued recovery of horses at S&D. Every ride helps support our recovered horses and gives more horses the opportunity for a new beginning.

Fabio has made excellent strides since he arrived in May 2026, and is a favorite among our guides. He is flashy and comfortable, quickly stealing the show on every trail ride.