'Maverick' The Rescue Horse Joins RivCo Sheriff's Department

CABAZON, CA — One year after being rescued from an abusive home, a horse once on the brink of death has found a new life as a member of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Maverick, a 9-year-old Andalusian, was one of five horses and dozens of other animals seized by Riverside County Animal Services during a search warrant at a property in the 50000 block of Esperanza Avenue in Cabazon on Aug. 14, 2024.

When Animal Services officers and deputies first visited the property, Maverick was severely malnourished — his ribs, hips and spine protruding sharply beneath his coat, with sores that had developed from lying on his side. He and the other animals were immediately transported to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley to be assessed by veterinarians.

The investigation into the property began weeks earlier, in late July 2024, after a Code Enforcement officer reported concerns about underweight horses. Animal Services officers confirmed the animals were malnourished and offered to help rehome them, but the owner, later identified as 59-year-old Rafael Leal, declined. Despite repeated warnings — including one that the situation could amount to felony animal cruelty — conditions did not improve.

On the day of the seizure, Animal Services Officer Lupe Villa led the investigation and arrested Leal with the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, which helped execute the search warrant and transport the animals. Officers also rescued four dogs, six puppies and 45 birds that were found without food or water.

One of those horses was Maverick.

Deputy Bryan Hubbard, who participated in the rescue, said he saw something special in the frail animal from the start.

“Initially, when I saw him, he was pretty much starved to death,” Hubbard said. “We had no idea if he was even going to be a sound horse.”

Despite that uncertainty, Hubbard decided to adopt Maverick. Over the past year, he has worked tirelessly to nurse the horse back to health — a process that required patience, consistent care, and trust-building.

"I was shocked at the condition of these horses and this particular horse, Maverick...I saw him and was like, 'well, he looks like he has some potential," Hubbard said.

After adopting him in August 2024, he was able to take him home in September, when his healing process began.

Maverick stayed at an animal hospital for three weeks, during which Hubbard says his condition was "touch and go" for a minute.

But Maverick was discharged and Hubbard says he thanked god for the veterinarian, who he said did an amazing job.

"All I had to focus on was building up his muscles. So, once he got his weight back, I started working with him."

One day, Hubbard mustered the courage to hop on his back.

"Through that, we built a real big bond," he said. "Whatever I ask, he does."

Now fully recovered, Maverick has made a remarkable transformation from abuse survivor to public servant, joining the sheriff’s department’s mounted enforcement unit.

"Not every horse is set up to do this," Hubbard said. "They're flight animals, so if they get scared, they just want to take off."

That's why each horse that joins the mounted unit has to pass through vigorous training and tests before they ever reports for duty.

Maverick passed every test and Hubbard says he's now entering his prime age.

"This horse could give us another 10 years of service."