Danada Equestrian Center

09/05/2024

Our Weigh Day event at Danada, coming up on Saturday, September 14th, still has open slots for any who may be interested in being able to get an accurate weight on their equine friends. Jennifer McCormick, a feed representative from Tribute, will be on hand giving advice, as well as a health care presentation on feeding at noon. People wishing to bring their horse, or mule, or donkey to get weighed on our digital scale must register in advance. To register for your 30-minute time slot, visit
dupageforest.org, click “Find a Program,” and then click on
Sept. 14 on the calendar. All activities during the event, as well as the educational presentation, are free to spectators.

07/31/2024

While Fall is not quite in the air, starting tomorrow we will be taking reservations for Private Group Wagon Rides!

Tractor-Drawn Private Group Wagon Rides---RESERVATIONS BEGIN AUGUST 1st:
Starting Thursday, August 1st, advance reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for private group tractor-drawn 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 27 & 28, October 4 & 5, October 18 & 19, October 25 & 26, November 1 & 2, November 8 & 9, and November 15 & 16. (NO wagon rides on October 11 & 12.) Additional 30-minute increments can be added. 45-minute Warming Fire included. Call 630-668-6012 for more information and to check availability.

Tractor-Drawn Public Wagon Rides:
30-minute tractor-drawn wagon rides for the public will be offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, September 28 & 29, October 5 & 6, October 19 & 20, October 26 & 27, November 2 & 3, November 9 & 10, and November 16 & 17. 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), ages 5 and up; under 5 free. No registration required---no advance reservations accepted. Call 630-668-6012 for more information.

04/23/2024

Thank you to all of the volunteers who help us care for the facility and horses!

03/06/2024

Shhhhh, it's nap time! During the spring on a sunny chill day horses love to take naps and lay out sunbathing. While horses can sleep standing up this is one of their favorite things to do when the weather starts to change for the better. One horse will often stay on their feet to "stand guard".

02/23/2024

Soak up the sun while you can!

01/30/2024

We are so very sorry to share the sad news that Nick our artist-in-residence painting horse suddenly passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Nick was taught to paint by Staff and our volunteers using “clicker training” in 2015 and he and his artwork were famously featured in nation-wide newspaper articles, television interviews and at our Fall Festival and other special events. His multicolored strokes were often compared to those of artist Jackson Pollack. Nick was 31 years old and a Clydesdale-Appaloosa cross, easily recognized by his white-spotted rear, often referred to as a “blanket appaloosa”. He will be greatly missed by all, but long remembered by the hundreds of fans who were delighted by his painting demonstrations and now own one of his masterpieces. We endlessly thank him for sharing his artistic talents with us!

01/04/2024

OBSTACLE PLAY DATES ARE BACK! Exercise and school your horse through trail obstacles at the St. James Farm indoor riding arena, where we'll set up a series of obstacles to work through at your own pace. Obstacles may include bridge, cake top stand, fishing pole, maypole, carrying items, parallel parking, or gate work. Obstacles will vary and will change each month.
Saturdays and Sundays
Jan. 13, 14, 27 & 28
Feb. 10, 11, 24 & 25
March 9, 10, 23 & 24
11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:45 p.m.
Share the arena with up to three other riders, or register and pay for all four slots and have the riding arena for an hour all to yourself. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. To register go to https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/fpddc/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=Obstacle&viewMode=list To register by phone instead or to inquire about other indoor riding arena options, call 630-918-1524.

12/28/2023

We are sorry to share the sad news that
June (Linda’s June) has passed away. At 30 years old, June, a Percheron mare, was the “Grande Dame” of the Danada herd. She was also once part of a much-loved duo, with Rosie (Charming Rosie) who delighted hundreds of visitors over the years with their wagon rides and sleigh rides before their retirement. They came to Danada in1999---June was six and Rosie was four---from an Amish farm in Delaware. We’d like to imagine June and Rosie are now once again running free together.

10/08/2023

It's the last day of Fall Festival! Come out today from 11 am-5 pm! We have the Midwest Renegades, Arabian breed demonstrations, Chicago Vaulting and trail demonstrations happening today!

10/07/2023

Today's the day! Come out for Fall Festival today and tomorrow from 11 am- 5 pm!

08/16/2023

Fall is in the air, start planning ahead!

Private Group Wagon Rides---TAKING RESERVATIONS NOW:
Advance reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis for private group wagon rides for eight 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 22 & 23, September 29 & 30, October 13 & 14, October 20 & 21, October 27 & 28, November 3 & 4, November 10 & 11, and November 17 & 18. Additional 30-minute increments can be added. Warming fire included. Call
630-668-6012 for more information and to check availability.

Tractor-Drawn Public Wagon Rides:
30-minute tractor-drawn wagon rides will be offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, September 23 & 24, September 30 & October 1, October 14 & 15, October 21 & 22, October 28 & 29, November 4 & 5, November 11 & 12, and November 18 & 19. Rides leave at 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30 PM and same-day tickets are sold in person on a first-come, first- served basis beginning at noon. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $5 per person, ages 5 and up; under 5 free. No registration required---no advance reservations accepted. Call 630-668-6012 for more information.

06/13/2023

We had a fantastic time at our Equine Trail Sports event at the beginning of this month! We hosted over at St. James Farm this Spring and everyone prevailed beautifully in the hot weather! If you have your own horse to ride, or lead, we will be having another event in September. More information on upcoming events can be found at https://www.equinetrailsports.com/event_group/12337/view .

03/21/2023

Two more fantastic Fun with Grounds Poles Clinics with the wonderful Kelley Shetter-Ruiz are in the books! Despite the chilly weather this past weekend a fun time was had by all. The horses and riders really showed their best. We can't thank Kelley enough for coming out to help us have some fun in this last stretch of winter!

03/06/2023

In case you haven't been out to the barn recently we have a new pony! His name is Tony and he stands at about 13 hands tall. He is 11 years old and is considered a Grade pony, as we do not know his exact breed. He does both English and Western riding and loves people.

02/06/2023

We are very sorry to share the sad news that Tex, our 17-year-old bay Quarter Horse, has passed away. He began showing signs of colic and was treated by Danada Staff and our Veterinarian, then transported to Kendall Road Animal Hospital. After a series of diagnostic tests, including an ultrasound, he was diagnosed with end-stage chronic kidney failure. Kidney failure is rare in horses and very subtle with no discernible symptoms until near total failure. With no available treatments for this, he was humanely euthanized with Danada Staff beside him at the end.

Tex came to the Danada Equestrian Center in September 2013 from a trail riding stable in Galena. He arrived here with his two buddies, Toby and Smokey. For weeks, they were inseparable, scampering about as one and always playing follow-the-leader. More recently, maybe because of his own compromised eyesight, he was a lovable trooper whenever Brad took him to Special Needs Adventure Day and patiently stood for the many hand pats and grooming by all the children. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, wore his emotions on his sleeve and was a loving friend. We will miss him terribly.

01/13/2023

Come join our friends over at St. James Farm for an Obstacle Course Playdate with your horse! Slots are already filling up for this weekend, so register today! Registration and details here: https://bit.ly/3X7ryoy

12/22/2022

The Danada Equestrian Center and surrounding forest preserve will be closed tomorrow due to weather. Stay safe out there, folks!

10/31/2022

It was a hard fought battle but Captain ended up on top! He is this years winner for favorite costume. Friday morning shift did an amazing job and dressed up as his support. Thanks to all the volunteers for helping dress our guys up this year!

10/29/2022

Today is Horsin Around Trick or Treat from 12-4! Out horses are ready to greet (and treat) on this boo-tiful day.

10/09/2022

Last day of Fall Festival starts at 11 AM today! Come on out for equestrian demonstrations, wagon rides, Dulcimer player Sherri Farley, and plenty of children's activities. Free admission, fees for some activities.

10/09/2022

We had some beautiful weather for today's Fall Festival! If you missed today don't worry! We will be back at it tomorrow morning at 11 AM.

10/08/2022

Fall Festival starts TODAY at 11 AM. We have equestrian demonstration's running through the day, live music by Ashley Lewis, food vendors, wagon rides and plenty of kids activities. Admission is free, fee's for some activities.

09/19/2022

Great news! With the leaves changing this fall, we are hosting wagon rides to take in the beautiful Danada Forest Preserve scenery!

Wagon Rides at the Danada Equestrian Center

Private Group Wagon Rides:
Advance reservations are now being taken for private group wagon rides for six weekends this Fall. Wagon rides can be reserved between 4:30 and 7:00 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, September 23 & 24, September 30 & October 1, October 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29, and November 5 & 6. Call
630-668-6012 for more information and to check availability.

Tractor-Drawn Public Wagon Rides:
30-minute tractor-drawn wagon rides will be offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, September 24 & 25, October 1 & 2, 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30 and November 5 & 6. Rides leave at 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30 PM and same-day tickets are sold in person on a first-come, first- served basis beginning at noon. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $5 per person, ages 5 and up; under 5 free. No registration required. Call 630-668-6012 for more information.

09/16/2017

Although Horse Drawn Hayrides are cancelled for the day there is still plenty to do out at the Center today! Nick the horse will be doing a few more painting demonstrations, grooming demonstrations until 4p and lead line rides start at 3pm!

09/15/2017

Not only is tomorrow Family Day at Danada but it's also the start of horse drawn wagon rides! Family Day starts at 12 pm, hope to see you there!

Happy Friday, everyone! Here's our weekly Top 5 list of things to do in the preserves. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Top 5 list: http://bit.ly/2x8Ea5i

09/14/2017

Grab your cameras, and head for DuPage forest preserves! Our second annual "Take 5" Photo Contest is underway through Oct. 27. Snap a pic, upload it, and win prizes, including a bike, camping gear and fishing equipment. For contest details, visit http://www.dupageforest.org/take5.