SHERIFF’S MOUNTED UNIT ON PATROL AT VENTURA RIVER PRESERVE
If you’ve visited the Ventura River Preserve recently, you may have seen riders on horseback patrolling the trails. Noel Aguilar, a volunteer with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Enforcement Unit (MEU), is helping lead a new effort to bring mounted patrols to OVLC preserves. Along with other MEU volunteers, Noel helps provide a welcoming presence for visitors—sharing trail information, encouraging responsible recreation, and keeping an eye out for potential safety concerns. OVLC’s Preserve Manager Linda Wilkin spoke with Noel about his lifelong passion for horses, his work rescuing mustangs, and how mounted patrols can help steward the Conservancy’s land.
Noel, thank you for meeting with me on this beautiful spring day, and for all the work you’ve already done helping the Conservancy steward our lands. To start, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
I grew up in Venice Beach during what I call the golden era— artists, musicians, surfers, hippies. It reminds me a little of what Ventura was like about ten years ago.
I went to Venice High and lived there until my oldest son was five. The area had already started to change, so we decided to look for somewhere different and eventually ended up in Ventura County. Ojai has always been a special place to me. Even before moving here, I would come up just to visit. It felt calm and sacred, with a lot of open land.
I joined the Sheriff’s Mounted Volunteer Unit close to two years ago as a way to give back. I’ve been involved with horses most of my life, so it brings together two things I care about—service and horses.
After 2020, when beaches and trails were closed, a lot of people from Los Angeles started coming here because they saw it as a different kind of place. Being on the preserves and noticing that shift made me want to help protect them.
I live about two minutes from Oso Trailhead, so I’m on the preserves almost every day. I figured, if I’m here anyway, I might as well help out. If I see trash, I pick it up. If something looks dangerous, I call it in. Eventually I thought it would be great to do something more formal as part of a team to help protect these lands.
Noel Aguilar and his horse Shaman.
What first sparked your interest in riding horses and horsemanship?
If you ask my family, they’ll say it’s because I’m Mexican—it’s just in our blood. Growing up, we visited Mexico often, and the only thing I ever dreamed about was getting on a horse.
My mom is from Jalisco, outside Guadalajara. Her small town’s name roughly translates to “place of owls,” because there were so many different species of owls there.
Looking back, I’m surprised I didn’t get hurt. I would just jump on a horse and go—no training, no fear. But it was the freest I’ve ever felt. Then you grow up, go to school, become a parent, and life gets busy. Later, when I had more time and financial freedom, I got back into horses about 25 years ago.
One of the first things I did was start rescuing mustangs. I became really interested in wild horses in America and how they’re protected—sometimes not as well as people think. I’ve probably rescued around fifteen mustangs. They need patience and gentleness, and then I either keep them or find them new homes. It’s a lot like rescuing dogs from a shelter—just bigger.
I’ve also traveled to Spain many times for the Festival of the Spanish Horse. One of the things I love about horses is that you can study them for a lifetime and still keep learning. I consider myself a lifelong student of horsemanship.
Can you share a bit about the Mounted Enforcement Unit?
What stands out is the dedication. Everything involved in volunteering with the MEU is yours—your horse, trailer, tack, and time.
People volunteer because they want to serve, whether it’s at parades, community events, or patrols.
For me, I started thinking about how the unit could support OVLC preserves. Just having a visible presence on the trails can really help people.
Years ago, I had an experience that stuck with me. I came across a woman on the trail who was lost and in distress. She was diabetic and didn’t have her insulin. I put her on my horse and walked her back to safety. It made me realize how valuable it can be to have someone out there looking out for people.
Since then, I’ve felt that having a visible presence on the trails can make a real difference. People often say, “Oh, you guys are out here? That’s awesome.”
What motivated you to reach out to OVLC about patrolling the preserves?
Locals understand how special this place is. People who live here know how lucky we are to walk these preserves and breathe the fresh air.
Visitors sometimes don’t know the guidelines yet, and that’s okay—it’s an opportunity for education.
Sometimes I see things like littering, dogs off leash, dirt bikes, or loud speakers—things that don’t really belong on a nature preserve.
Having seen how quickly Venice Beach changed, I know how fast places can shift. I want people to enjoy the preserves while helping make sure the land stays protected.
A big part of your role involves connecting with visitors. How do you approach those conversations?
Having a horse is a great icebreaker. People naturally come over to ask about the horse or for directions.
If we see something like a dog off leash, we explain that it’s safer for the dog, other trail users, and wildlife if they keep it leashed. We also remind people about rattlesnakes or river crossings.
One time I saw a couple carrying a large basket of wildflowers. I explained that picking them means they won’t drop seeds for next year. They apologized and said they didn’t know—they had picked them for a pregnancy announcement photo.
Being on horseback makes those conversations easy. Families with kids especially love to stop and talk.
Tell us about your horse.
My main horse for patrol is named Shaman. His registered name is Wizard, but around here people call him the “Ojai Shaman.”
He’s about six years old and a big horse. He came from Texas and was bred by the Amish, who are known for producing calm, well-mannered horses.
He’s a draft cross—his father is Spanish and his mother is Percheron—so he has a big, regal build. He’s gray and speckled and incredibly calm, which makes him perfect for patrol work.
I also have a roan Quarter Horse from King Ranch in Texas who has more of an “I’ve seen everything” attitude. Then I have two performance Quarter Horses, Chili and Angel, who are amazing athletes but a little too high-energy for Mounted Unit work.
What kind of training does a horse go through for the MEU?
The training never really stops. Every year we have to re-qualify as a rider and as a team with our horse.
There’s desensitization training—noise, crowds, obstacles, dragging objects, riding in formation.
Last year during a training exercise I was injured and ended up with multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury. It wasn’t anyone’s fault—it’s just the reality of working with large animals.
With horses, trust is everything. They’re prey animals, so their instinct is to run. But if they trust you, they’ll look to you for guidance.
What are some of your favorite moments out on patrol?
Honestly, interacting with people. It’s rare to meet someone who isn’t drawn to a horse.
My favorite moments are with kids. You’ll hear, “Mom, there’s a horse! Can I pet it?” Seeing that excitement reminds me of when I first saw a horse as a kid. You never forget that moment.
For readers unfamiliar with the program, what authority does the MEU operate under?
The unit operates under the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. There are sworn deputies in the Mounted Unit, and volunteers like us support them.
When we patrol, dispatch knows we’re out there. If there’s an emergency, we call it in. Our role is mostly observational—helping visitors and reporting anything that might need attention.
Do you see the program growing in the future?
I hope so. I’ve started spreading the word and a few riders are interested in qualifying for the unit.
Right now, we need at least two riders to patrol together, but if more people qualify, we’ll be able to get out there more often.
It feels like a missing piece that can help support the Conservancy’s stewardship work.
If someone sees you out on patrol, should they say hello?
Absolutely. Being on horseback naturally invites conversation Sometimes we even carry extra dog leashes in our saddlebags. A local vet donated a stack of disposable leashes so if someone forgot one, we can hand it out and help keep dogs, wildlife, and other trail users safe. Our goal is for people to feel welcomed and safe while enjoying these special places.
I feel incredibly fortunate to live here. Every time I ride out onto the preserves, I’m reminded how special they are. The Conservancy has done tremendous work restoring and protecting this land.
Noel, I can’t thank you and the entire team of volunteers with the MEU enough. All of us at OVLC are incredibly grateful for your support and the dedication you bring to helping inspire visitors to be thoughtful stewards of the preserves.