Hidden Gem Farms sits across twenty-four acres of open land in Southwest Petaluma — a quiet stretch of Sonoma County where mornings are soft, evenings settle slowly, and life with horses moves at its own pace.

The farm has grown over time, but its heart has stayed the same:
a calm, grounded place for horses and people to learn, breathe, and feel at home.

Our facilities include a six-stall wood barn, a mare motel with spacious runs, open pastures with shelters, and both covered and uncovered round pens. A large outdoor arena, warm wash racks, and simple, well-loved tack rooms support the everyday rhythm of the farm.

Training here is guided by a small team led by Donna Waggoner, whose decades of experience with Arabian and Half-Arabian horses continue to shape the thoughtful, steady way we approach horsemanship. Riders of all levels — kids, adults, new students, longtime clients — are supported with quiet attention and care, whether they’re building new skills or working toward the show ring.

Taylor Singmaster Shepard of EQ Wellness joins Hidden Gem Farms as our second on-site trainer, bringing a thoughtful, holistic approach to western horsemanship. Her program blends R+ training with natural methods across trail riding, pleasure, horsemanship, reining, ranch riding, cowboy dressage, and working equitation, offering clients a complementary and well-rounded training option.

More than anything, Hidden Gem is a community shaped by the land and the horses who live here.
It’s a place to grow, to learn, and to spend time in good company.