Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

11/22/2025

We love our horses, and we know you do too, so please read this:

For those of you who aren't aware, there is a virus spreading through the equine industry at the moment, and it's called EHV-1/EHM. Now, our horses are safe at the moment, as they do not travel off ranch and we do not have horses coming in from the outside world. However, this virus is carried much like the Flu/Covid, via airborne droplets that can travel on clothing, shoes/boots, and even your hands. It's not zoonotic, so humans cannot contract the virus, but we need to make sure that anyone coming on ranch follows proper biosecurity measures to keep our ponies safe. If you're scheduled to ride with us, and you've been interacting with horses at other facilities, or even walked through a feed store frequented by those who also work with horses, please make sure to change your clothing (including shoes) and wash up before heading out. Most of our riders come to us because they don't have access to horses, which helps us reduce the risk of exposure, but we also know that we do attract a few horse owners/riders/volunteers. We appreciate your help in keeping our horses and other equines in the community safe. Visit this link for more information:
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus
Sarah Weiss Media

11/21/2025

Featured Horse Friday! Dusty Breeze has a unique story. The ranch has rescued a few mares back in 2010, the same year that Dusty the stallion would retire. Good ol' Dusty had a difference in opinion, broke out of his pen, and bred one of the rescues, a little paint mare by the name of Solo Performance (Kiowa). Their illegitimate child was Breezy, born in 2011. He turned out to be the best little horse out of the 2011 foals, the rest sired by Drifter for his first crop with us. Breezy turned out to be the most comical of the bunch, and boy was he smart as a whip! He became a guest horse ahead of his foal mates because of his desire to work and play every day. He's quick to untie his lead rope at any opportunity, so you might find him wandering the barn with his equally intelligent friends, Bonita, Wrangler, and Sparkie Bar. We just love our Breezy boy! Sarah Weiss Media .wycoff

11/20/2025

Throwback Thursday to some of our ranch raised kiddos! Can you recognize these babies from 2004? Who might they be?!

11/19/2025

Our friends, Ulli and Dan, who set up trail cameras for us, caught this rare visitor in action in October! Check it out!

After over 8 years of setting up trail cameras, this was the first time we had a bull moose stop by, close up and personal. A very loud frog is sitting somew...

11/19/2025

"There’s nothin’ in life that’s worth doin’, if it can’t be done from a horse.”
- Red Steagall Photo Credit: Karen D. - France

11/17/2025

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela

On International Student's Day, we would like to highlight one of the wonderful programs offered by the Heart J Center for Experiential Learning . Three days a week during the school year, HJC provides an outdoor school for homeschool students from 3rd to 8th grades. With a rich and varied curriculum, exploring the ecosystems, wildlife, and history of Sylvan Dale, the students earn science credit and PE credit (for all that hiking!) This widely popular program is filled to capacity for the 2025/2026 school year but they are keeping a waiting list! Reach out to [email protected] to find out more!

11/17/2025

We've confirmed our musicians for the Winter Brunch series coming at the tail end of January into the entire month of February! Look for details to hit the website soon, and you'll be able to book online. We have a couple of new faces that will add to the mix, and we're excited to share the line up soon.

11/16/2025

Celebrating 29 Incredible Weddings in 2025!

What a year it has been — 28 beautiful couples have said “I do” at Sylvan Dale, and each celebration has filled our ranch with so much love, joy, and unforgettable memories.

And guess what? We have just ONE wedding left to go in our 2025 season! We’re feeling grateful, inspired, and so honored to be part of these once-in-a-lifetime moments.

To all our couples: thank you for trusting us with your day. To our vendor friends: thank you for bringing your magic. And to future couples: we can’t wait to meet you!

Here’s to wrapping up an amazing year of love at the ranch.

Photography/Styling: Miss. Miller's Photography
Leather Wrap: A. Gosney Leather
Jewelry/Authentic Turquoise: Calli Co. Silver
Hair: Cheyenna’s Hair Co.
Dress: Dora Grace Bridal
Florals/Decor: Flying Heart Design LLC
Boutineer: Jamesonropeandco
Makeup: Makeup by Cedez
Custom Skull: Wanderlust Skulls
Venue:
Couple:

11/14/2025

Featured Horse Friday! Who do we have here, but one of the bestest mares...Luna! Sweet Luna Trail was born in 1998, which makes her almost 28! She's still loving taking out the littles on 1-hour trail rides or lead around rides. Her full sister is Baroness, and they share a space in the barn runs now that they both require senior feed to maintain. We don't think they miss living in the herd one bit, since they each get their very own special place to eat in peace with no competition from the younger pushier bunch. Luna has always been a ranch favorite, by wranglers and guests alike. She's a bombproof palomino mare! Literally nothing phases this gal, and never has. We attribute part of her demeanor to the fact that she was Lisa Hagan's personal horse in her younger years, and she spent a lot of time riding the trails alone, and for hours at a time, just enjoying nature and smelling the roses. Nowadays, she's known as a grass eater because she knows the little can't stop her from eating unless they're experienced. We love her! Sarah Weiss Media

11/13/2025

Throwback Thursday to the Heart J Pond. When the 2013 flood dropped in, it took away our ponds on ranch. We've certainly made do, and created a lovely ceremony space where the pond once was. The rock remains, which exemplifies the expression, "steady as a rock."

11/12/2025

Wildlife Wednesday! Have you ever seen a little bobcat sunning themselves on a rock? We bet not so her you go. This was captured by one of David Neils' trail cameras in Sulzer Gulch way back when. So cute!

11/12/2025

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A Veteran doesn't have that problem." — Ronald Reagan On Veteran's Day and every day, we thank you for your service!