On a misty morning in Hidden Valley, a lone rider mounted a small horse and entered an area nestled beneath an oak-studded hillside. Calm, affected person and sure-footed, Cochise, a 19-year-old gelding, adopted instructions with ease as his rider Hayley Pelton prompted him by way of a sequence of obstacles. It is a relationship with out phrases, stated Christy Reich, El Campeon ranch supervisor. Horses are widespread within the equestrian enclave of Hidden Valley, an unincorporated group simply south of the Conejo Valley, however Cochise, although small in stature, stands out amongst his neighbors on account of his rarity. The animal is one among round 60 Santa Cruz Island horses…