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Meet the Crew

Animals and humans share a deep, unspoken connection that transcends words, rooted in intention, stillness, and love.

True healing happens when we feel seen, supported, and safe to grow.

Wendy Dietz

Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
Holistic Mind Body Eating Coach Intuitive Spiritual Guide

Wendy Dietz was a personal trainer for 25 years and a holistic nutritionist for over 30 years now. She earned her certification for Personal Training, Sport Specific Training, and Nutrition from the International Sports Science Association. 
After experiencing the pain of telling people to "move more and eat less" she realized it was not truly a healthy nor sustainable way to live; so she decided to go back to school to find a better way.

20 years ago, She became certified as a Wellness Psychology Coach through the Spenser Institute for Wellness Psychology, an Eating Psychology Coach through the Institute for the Psychology of Eating, a Corporate Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches of America,  and Holistic Health Coaching and Psychoenergetics of Chronic Illness with Dr Eva Detko. She took Natural Lifemanship's, Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship. Horsemanship through the Monty Roberts International Learning Center, and Reiki Master certification in 2020. Her most recent certification was from Cartier Farms, Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator in 2021.

Wendy has also worked with many spiritual coaches over the years to better tune in to her clients and horses. The trauma she has lived through gives her the empathy and understanding to dive deep with her clients in a loving and non-judgmental way.

Wendy grew up participating in horse shows, 4H, high school rodeo, and every sport she could play. Animals have always been a prominent light in her life- nature's own heaven on earth. 
When she became a mother, she coached all four of her kids' sports, trained teams and individuals in the gym as well as horsemanship and riding lessons.

She has taken her love of animals and her altruistic desire to heal to create an amazing space where she can fulfill her life's purpose of improving the overall health and well-being of people and animals through love and care.

Natalie Lane

Natural Horsemanship Trainer

Natalie‘s love for horses started very young as she galloped bareback through the foothills of Northern California. Her first formal equestrian training came as a jumper which paid off when in the mid 1980s she earned a spot on the US national team for Modern Pentathlon, where she gained valuable experience as a switch rider.

While, as a member of the US team, Natalie competed in several international and  national championships as well as three Sports Festivals.  After marrying an Air Force officer, and starting a family, her focus changed from competing to training and teaching.  The adaptability she used as a switch rider became her strength, utilizing her understanding of  horses and incorporating techniques from multi disciplines to foster the relationship between horse and rider. Her style of teaching evolved over decades as she trained in natural horsemanship, and Dressage, incorporating what worked well to make riding fun for her clients and their horses.

Natalie’s equestrian experiences led her to be selected as the coach for the United States Pony Club Tetrathlon exchange in 2018 in the Carolinas. The month long exchange culminated with a competition at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. After falling in love with the Tryon area due to its mountains, lakes, and rivers and extensive horse community, Natalie purchased a horse farm in 2020.  Natalie‘s love for nature, animals, teaching and sports, led her to a partnership with Wendy and the Sol Ranch.

Our Best Teachers

Meet the Farm

Our Cows

  • Tao

    Tao is a Jersey cow who came to us at 4 days old with pneumonia. It was touch and go for months but now he is a full-grown grass puppy who loves to snuggle and follow you around. He makes a great pillow if you want to read a book in the shade.

  • Daisy

    Daisy is a Jersey x Holstein cow who was also a sickly, little newborn calf when we brought her here to nurse back to health. Today, Daisy is a healthy, beautiful girl and is known as the "Boss Cow" around here. She decides which cow can eat first. She loves belly scratches and playing soccer in the arena with anyone who's game to play!

  • Tulip

    Tulip was a little boy's 4H show cow and when it came time to sell her to market, the little boy just couldn't do it; so she found her way here to be loved for the rest of her days. She is sweet and loving and a little shy.

Our Horses

  • Delilah

    Delilah is the princess of the ranch. She comes from a background of what is known as the "heavy-handed cowboy." When Delilah first came to us, she was skeptical of being handled and wary of people because of what she had been through. After a couple of years of patience and kindness, she not only trusts people again but makes an incredible therapy horse. She brings that beautiful and powerful female energy to the sessions. She is wise and sensitive, perfectly exemplifying how healing from a troubled past can create a magnificent life.

  • Moqui

    Moqui is a 24-year-old "been there, done that" horse. He has ridden all over the mountains, sorted cattle, given thousands of beginner lessons for small children, and has been an angel through it all. He is known as the Wise Man of the ranch and is one of the best therapy horses you will ever meet. Full of love and patience, Moqui loves and feels deeply during our sessions and decides when the other therapy animals can approach. He is a true gentleman.

    Moqui has recently transitioned and is running free in heaven. He is deeply missed.

  • Beau

    Beau is a grandson of a famous racehorse and won the only race he was ever in by 25 lengths! He was hurt in that race and has found his true purpose at Sol as a wonderful therapy horse. He is kind, silly and full of life. He is known as the Goofball of the ranch who always finds a way to make us laugh. You can usually find him looking for mud to roll in-reminding us all it's okay to take a mud bath sometimes and not be afraid to get a little dirty. Beau has recently passed over the rainbow bridge. We miss you. buddy.

  • Poncho

    Poncho is the miniature horse here at Sol. He is a sweet older gentleman who loves nose kisses and can hold his own with the big guys just fine. He is a recent addition to our herd and came to spend his retirement with us.

  • Trick (A.K.A. Rojo)

    Trick came to us to spend his retirement and we are honored to have him. He is a perfectly trained boy with a sweet disposition.

    Trick comes from a line of famous reining horses and was a champion in many ways but especially for a sweet girl named, Emma, who rode Trick in reining competitions without being able to see after battling lymphoblastic leukemia. Emma is a hero to all who know her. We will care for her retired horse with all of the love and care that she gave him and that he gave her.

    When Sol moved to Bend, OR, Trick went back to his original family. Thank you for your time at Sol sweet boy.

Our Dogs

  • Remi

    Remi was rescued from a litter of 11 puppies that was abandoned at only 4 weeks old. She is half cattle dog and half lab. She is so sweet and sassy and loves to have a job.

  • Macey

    Macey was abandoned before she was spayed. She ended up pregnant at 1 year old and was taken to be put down with all of her babies set to die with her. We heard this story and immediately went to get her. She is sweet, caring, snuggly, and loves her cats. Macey is not a fan of the Texas thunderstorms so she spends that time lying on her dad's clothes in his closet until the storms have passed. She is definitely a daddy's girl.

Our Cats

  • Sammy (Samuel L. Jackson)

    Sammy owns the ranch. He is definitely the boss man and does what he pleases, but he is also sweet and cuddly. Don't worry Sam. We won't tell anyone you're sweet and break your cover.

  • KK

    KK used to be called Crazy Two Socks- she has mellowed out so much that we now call her KK after one of the lesson kids who always wanted a cat named after her. She is nearby for every session, hoping for a pet.

  • Toby

    Toby was rescued off the streets with his momma and siblings as a newborn kitten. He loves us and trusts us but has remained quite elusive for the 10 years he has been with us. He is sweet and loving when you get that rare chance to sit with him in the barn.

  • Brisket

    Brisket is the newest member of our fur family. She was found at a Texas BBQ while Wendy was horse camping. Someone had dumped her there and driven off. Of course, she was quickly scooped up and taken home to be another spoiled fur baby at Sol Ranch.

Testimonials

  • "My family and I just came back from a week at the Sol Ranch and I can honestly say it was an incredible experience. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel at home. Wendy Dietz, the owner, went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed and more. The ranch was beautifully landscaped and the accommodations were stunning. I didn’t want to leave. Every detail was taken care of and Wendy was always available to answer any questions. The experience with Equine Assisted Learning was truly amazing. I feel like our daughter was one with horses and that really helped her work through some trauma and anxiety that she had been dealing with. The whole week was truly magical and we can’t wait to go back. I highly recommend Sol Ranch Wellness."

    -Dave Mulligan

  • "Some friends and I from across the country decided to meet up for a girls getaway. We chose Sol Ranch Wellness and I am so glad we did. The combination of a fun relaxing space, activities, and focus on wellness was just what we needed. The living and sleeping space was cozy and comfortable and the fridge was stocked with everything we needed to enjoy our stay. We played soccer with sweet cows and enjoyed equine therapy. The yoga classes and health information were instrumental in our personal growth and gave us skills to use when we went back to our respective homes. We had use of a beautiful pool and had lots of time to catch up and laugh and enjoy gorgeous Texas sunrises and sunsets. Wendy was an incredible host with fantastic local recommendations and saw to our every need. I cannot recommend this escape highly enough!"

    -Meredith Willis, Ponca City, Oklahoma

  • "Wendy introduced my daughter to horsemanship when she was 3 years old. She recognized my daughter’s strengths right away and helped her learn how to listen, communicate, and connect with the horse. Wendy is an amazingly patient teacher who carefully observes and analyzes each situation. My daughter is now 11 years old, and although she is becoming a skilled rider, she still returns to some of the ground techniques Wendy taught her when she was young. Wendy helped my daughter connect and listen, with horses and even with the people in her life."

    -Jennifer Courtney

  • "I visited Wendy Dietz on several occasions concerning some health issues I was having at the time. I found her to be very knowledgeable about the most current information and perceptive about what my needs might be. She is a great listener and had several options for me. I would highly recommend her."

    -Amy Glasgow

  • Testimonials

    The homeschool day at Sol Ranch was probably the best class we’ve done on our homeschool journey yet! We can’t wait for the next class! Once the boys are both 8, they can do the Equine Assisted Learning class which is a lot more structured and that will be awesome.

    From horseback riding, to drawing on a pony, to the giant swing that became my son’s obsession, I can’t say enough amazing things about our experience there!