Salute to Idaho Agriculture: Sawtooth Reindeer Ranch

CAREY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Shaylin and Eric Heywood said they dreamed of owning reindeer, and last year, it came true when they opened the Sawtooth Reindeer Ranch in Carey.

“Seeing all the kids just in awe that reindeer actually exists makes all the work worth it,” Eric Haywood said.

Since then, they’ve learned how to take care of these unique creatures, and it’s a lot of work.

“I was full-time, we were both full-time, but now I am a stay-at-home-reindeer mom full-time,” Shaylin Heywood said. “These guys do require quite a bit, it’s out here all day every day.”

Their business centers around tours of their ranch and bringing their reindeer to events across the Magic Valley. Another one of their goals is to spread the knowledge of how important these animals are to agriculture.

“The huge culture and history they actually have in agricultural life,” Shaylin Haywood said. “Idaho recognizes that, but like how we have horses, cows and dogs, the Sami people they have reindeer, that is their livestock animal.”

Eric Heywood said that raising reindeer comes with unique struggles.

“When they’re not feeling good, they really do a good job at disguising it,” Eric Heywood said. “Because they don’t want to show weakness, because if they show weakness in a herd environment, they are usually the ones that get cut out or taken out.”

With their reindeer’s success over the years, the Heywoods said they know the community is there for them.

“Everybody has been awesome, and it’s been really cool to see kind of like cheer and happiness that they bring no matter where we go or who comes here, it’s been awesome,” Shaylin Haywood said.

The ranch is preparing to welcome some new additions next year.

“Also, keep an eye out because this spring, we are expecting our first round of calves, so we will have a bunch of baby reindeer running around,” Shaylin Heywood said.

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