Don Warlick ended up in the Tri-state area as he provided wrangling and stunting services for Civil War reenactments and movie productions (for instance, the 150th Anniversary Gettysburg reenactment and the Gods and Generals film production). It became obvious that if he was to stay in the movie and reenactment business, he needed a home base in Virginia or Maryland. That’s why in the mid-90’s Don was scouting ranches and farms in the area.

He first set foot in the Secret Passage Ranch barn in 1996 and immediately knew that this was where he belonged. From there, he went to work and built what you see right now. Over the years, many volunteers have come and gone – staying for a day, a week, a year – and contributing to the work that we do. The ranch became a family affair; for although the people you will meet here are not kin, they are related through their love for horses, care for each other and care for the ranch.