Danada Equestrian Center

Danada Equestrian Center Danada Equestrian Center promotes safe, humane horse-handling practices and care. Danada is the former home of Daniel and Ada Rice.
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It provides horseback riding lessons, summer camp & a robust volunteer program! The 1,350 acre working farm was purchased in 1929 and used to raise sheep, hogs cattle, chicken and turkeys, but it was the Thoroughbred racehorses that were their pride and joy. In 1965, the Rice's celebrated the win of their horse, Lucky Debonair, in the Kentucky Derby. The Forest Preserve District purchased their estate in 1980.

Puddles posing so nicely out in pasture. Puddles is seven years old this year and we believe he has a bright future with...
08/07/2026

Puddles posing so nicely out in pasture. Puddles is seven years old this year and we believe he has a bright future with Danada! He's very friendly and already has so many fans that stop by to say hi. 🐴

📷 by Tori Arnold

Good morning from Danada Equestrian Center! Volunteer applications open today, so if you've ever dreamed about volunteer...
08/03/2026

Good morning from Danada Equestrian Center! Volunteer applications open today, so if you've ever dreamed about volunteering at DEC, now is your time to shine. This volunteer position does require a lot of physical activity during all seasons, as horses need us year-round.

If you have any questions about volunteering for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, please contact Volunteer Services at 630-933-7233 or [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you! 🐴

08/01/2026

Private Group Wagon Rides---RESERVATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Advance reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for private group wagon rides for seven weekends this Fall. Babe and Daisy are limited to 16 people per ride for their comfort. The wagon is easy to get into, and we have accessibility ramps if needed. If you have a group that is larger than 16 people, you can book two rides or you can use our larger tractor-drawn wagon that can easily fit 30 people.

30-minute wagon rides can be reserved for times between 4:30 and 7:00 pm on the following Friday and Saturday evenings: September 18 & 19, September 25 & 26, October 2 & 3, October 16 & 17, October 23 & 24, October 30 & 31, and November 6 & 7. (NO private group wagon rides on October 9 & 10.) Additional 30-minute increments can be added. 45-minute Warming Fire included. Call 630-668-6012 for more information, to check availability and request a date and time for your group.

Today is Parent Appreciation Day! Duke asked us to thank Daisy for all of her love and care. Enjoy this throwback pictur...
07/24/2026

Today is Parent Appreciation Day! Duke asked us to thank Daisy for all of her love and care. Enjoy this throwback picture of our sweet boy and his incredible mama. ❤

Fall Wagon Rides at the Danada Equestrian Center 🐴 🍁Private Group Wagon Rides---RESERVATIONS BEGIN AUGUST 1st:Starting A...
07/21/2026

Fall Wagon Rides at the Danada Equestrian Center 🐴 🍁

Private Group Wagon Rides---RESERVATIONS BEGIN AUGUST 1st:
Starting August 1st, advance reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for private group wagon rides for seven weekends this Fall. 30-minute wagon rides can be reserved for times between 4:30 and 7:00 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings: September 18 & 19, September 25 & 26, October 2 & 3, October 16 & 17, October 23 & 24, October 30 & 31, and November 6 & 7. (NO private group wagon rides on October 9 & 10.) Additional 30-minute increments can be added. 45-minute Warming Fire included. Call 630-668-6012 for more information, to check availability and request a date and time for your group.

Tractor-Drawn Public Wagon Rides:
30-minute tractor-drawn wagon rides for the public will be offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for seven weekends this Fall: September 19 & 20 September 26 & 27, October 3 & 4, October 17 & 18, October 24 & 25, October 31 & November 1, and November 7 & 8. Rides leave at 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30 PM and same-day tickets are sold in person at the Danada Equestrian Center on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 12 noon. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $5 per person (cash preferred) for ages 5 and up; under 5 ride free. No registration required---no advance reservations accepted. Call 630-668-6012 for more information.

With the terrible air quality, all of Danada's herd has been up in stalls with multiple fans blowing on them. We want to...
07/17/2026

With the terrible air quality, all of Danada's herd has been up in stalls with multiple fans blowing on them. We want to assure you that they are healthy and safe. Please be careful out there and limit your outside exposure!

Bring your own horse to one of our “Fun With Ground Poles” clinic sessions this Fall at Danada Equestrian Center. If we ...
07/14/2026

Bring your own horse to one of our “Fun With Ground Poles” clinic sessions this Fall at Danada Equestrian Center. If we have good weather it will be at Danada Equestrian Center, if the weather is poor it will be held at SJF Indoor Arena.

Clinician Kelley Shetter-Ruiz will instruct riders over ground and cavaletti poles in a series of fun and challenging exercises to strengthen the communication between horse and rider. Riders will learn how to identify training issues and use pole exercises to help resolve them. Each 90-minute lesson will be tailored to your experience level and accommodate three or four horse-and-rider pairs. Western or English riders welcome!

When registering for your session, note if your horse is short- or long-strided to maximize your learning and training benefits. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. $25 nonrefundable registration fee. $115 per horse-and-rider pair, after February 15th price goes to $130. $20 for a day stall (not required), $10 audit fee.
For more information and to register, call 630-668-6012 or message us on Facebook. (Group lesson and ride times will be posted the week prior to the clinic at the Danada barn.) *current Coggins is required

Current students that are interested ask your instructor for more information and if you qualify!

to our grand old man Sundance taking a nap in the shed. He is still a big visitor favorite and will be celebrating hi...
07/09/2026

to our grand old man Sundance taking a nap in the shed. He is still a big visitor favorite and will be celebrating his 33rd birthday this year! Be sure to say hi to him when you come visit.

Remember that fireworks can be extremely stressful for horses and other animals because they are far more sensitive to l...
07/04/2026

Remember that fireworks can be extremely stressful for horses and other animals because they are far more sensitive to loud noises, sudden flashes, and vibrations than humans. Please use fireworks responsibly and be sure to safely secure all of your animals early in the day. Moxie wishes you a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

📷 by Tori Arnold

We think Puddles and Jax are going to be fast friends! Their introduction went very well, and Jax is now getting to spen...
06/30/2026

We think Puddles and Jax are going to be fast friends! Their introduction went very well, and Jax is now getting to spend some time out in pasture with the big herd every day. Lots of baths happening and fans blowing over here during this heat wave. We hope you are staying hydrated and cool. ❤

📷 by Tori Arnold

Address

3S507 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL
60189

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

(630) 668-6012

Website

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