SCCR Newsletter, Issue #13 - December, 2023

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch (SCCR) was established in 2016 by Kris Latham. With the help of a passionate group of animal loving volunteers, SCCR aims to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses in need. More than 25,000 horses are slaughtered in Canada annually, with most of the meat being exported for human consumption. We aim to save as many as we can from that fate.

Do you love animals and want to make a difference in the lives of horses, donkeys and mules in need? Our team of volunteers is invaluable and we are always on the lookout for great people to join us. Without the caring, hard-working volunteers we have at the ranch, we would simply not be able to do what we do and save horses lives.

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch is a sanctuary for horses, donkeys, pot-bellied pigs and dogs too. Ask any volunteer around the ranch and you will hear a tale of how this incredible place has changed not only the lives of all animals who call it home, but also the wonderful people who have dedicated their time and energy to helping these animals in need.

To help the rescue:

• Donate here to contribute towards saving these incredible animals.

• Learn more about the fate of horses who are not rescued, and how to help them.

• Book a tour to learn more about the ranch and meet some of the horses who have been saved.

• Volunteer at the ranch. No experience with horses is necessary.

Special Announcement! 12 Days of Giving

We are excited to announce that we are having our annual Second Chance Cheekye Ranch Silent Auction-12 Days of Giving starting today (December 1st)! We have gathered some beautiful products and services which have been generously donated by local vendors. Bidding will run from December 1st to 12th with all proceeds going towards the care of feed of our beloved rescues.

How does it work?

Anyone who would like to bid needs to create an account through the 32 Auctions website. On December 1st at 8am, our first batch of items will be released and can be viewed by logging in to our Second Chance Cheekye Ranch Auction page. Remember to create an account first!

Items will be available for bidding until 8pm on December 12th.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who donated. Without people like you, we would not be able to do what we do. On behalf of our equine residents, we thank you.

Adoption Success Story: Amber & Sinead

We came to be introduced to Sinead at SCCR in March of this year on our search for a special horse for our daughter. When we found Sinead listed on the SCCR website, we knew we had to meet her!

At this point our daughter has managed to build a connection and a lot of trust with her. She is Sinead’s number one person, being the one who manages all her day-to-day care, dotes on her, and rides often. They have built a lovely relationship and both Sinead and our daughter have grown so much in terms of trusting each other as well as building confidence and skills.

Sinead is doing well in weekly natural horsemanship lessons and seems to enjoy these. They are working on her confidence with cantering and groundwork, and she has come a long way since we got her. After lessons, they always stay for quite awhile in the big arena, where often she is just given the reins and Sinead does her thing. Her head drops and she picks up her lovely floating trot, just doing what comes to mind, clearly enjoying their time together. I think they are a great match! Our trainer suspects she may have been an endurance horse (apparently Arabs are a popular choice for this sport) as she is an absolute star at speed trotting, and is most happy to canter on a trail as opposed to arena work.

We so appreciate how thorough SCCR was in ensuring that Sinead and our daughter were an ideal match, and that she would be going to a good home. They really put a lot of effort into making sure this would work out well for all concerned, and I am very happy to say that it certainly has!

Adoption Highlight: Zipper

Meet Zipper.

This playful and charming young horse was born at SCCR on April 16, 2021 to beautiful mama Buttons, who is also up for sponsorship and adoption (below).

Zipper is a social butterfly; fully socialized and comfortable around both horses and humans. With a heart that’s eager to please and learn, he has mastered his groundwork skills like loading, lunging at a walk, trot and canter, and he is great for the farrier. Zip loves new challenges!

Zipper’s playful spirit shines through and he is a bit of a joker who loves exploring everything around him. Whether he’s frolicking with fellow equine friends or engaging with caring humans, he truly thrives in the company of others. His infectious personality will undoubtedly brighten any barn or pasture he calls home.

If you’re looking for an equine who combines a zest for life with a willingness to learn, Zipper is the perfect match for you.

To learn more about Zipper, please click here.

To see other adoptable horses at SCCR and to learn more about our adoption process, click here.

Sponsorship Highlight: Buttons

Meet Buttons.

Buttons is a super sweet Welsh mare who will capture your heart with her affectionate nature and excellent ground manners. This mid-teen beauty stand at approximately 14hh and boasts a fine, well put together confirmation. Buttons came to us in foal and in 2021 gave birth to her baby boy, Zipper.

Buttons loves attention and getting groomed and will willingly give her feet for cleaning/farrier. Her gentle and cooperative demeanor makes her a joy to work with. She has been well trained and is broke to ride both English and Western, with the majority of her riding being bareback and halter. Buttons is a forward moving mare, full of energy and enthusiasm. Occasional soreness suggests she should be kept to light riding.

Buttons requires maintenance due to calcification in her front feet. Therefore she requires regular treatments.

For as little as $25 a month, you can sponsor Buttons in honour of a friend, in memory of a loved one, or as a birthday gift. Sponsorship is tax deductible.

To sponsor Buttons and help make a difference in her life, please click here.

To see our other horses and donkeys available for sponsorship, please click here.

Sponsor a Horse Program

Looking for the perfect present for that special someone this holiday season? Then look no further!

In lieu of traditional gifts, consider donating to SCCR in hounor of that someone special. The Gift of Giving campaign is the perfect present for all the horse/animal lovers and those hard-to-shop-for people in your life. Imagine the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving the gift of hope. Your donation will help us pay for feed, medical intervention, ongoing care and attention for our beautiful rescues in need.

100% of every dollar donated goes directly to the horses!

SCCR will send a personalized e-card to your special someone to let them know of your generous gift.

Donate now by clicking here.

As always, a big THANK YOU from all of us here at SCCR and from the rescues to our new monthly horse sponsors:

Michaela Michael - Cheeks
Leah Nobel/Valley Pet Studios - Luke
Anonymous - Cheeks
Joan Germain - Sophie
MaryAnn Cumings - Cheeks
Alison Sulling - Luke
Mahalia Mermaid Michael - Dancer
Maggi Cheetham - Dancer

THANK YOU!

For as little as $25 a month, you too can sponsor a horse, and it’s tax deductible!

For more information on how to make a one-time donation, click here.

OR send an email to: sccrsponsorahorse@gmail.com

Horse Facts: Coat Colours

While there are dozens of specific colours, there are only 5 basics coat colours a horse can have: black, bay, brown, chestnut and gray.

The dun gene is believed to be one of the oldest colours in horses which creates dun, grullo or red dun.

Another common gene is cream gene which is responsible for palomino, buckskin and cremello horses.

Less common genes include pearl, champagne and silver dapple. Some of these genes also lighten eye colour.

Genes that affect the distribution of melanocytes (a cell that produces pigment) create patterns of white spotting or speckling such as roan, pinto, leopard, white or white spotting, and even some white markings.

The gray gene causes de-pigmentation of the hair shaft, slowly adding white hairs over the course of several years until the horse’s body hair is nearly all white.

Horse coat colours can also change over their lifetimes for a variety of factors including age, environmental influences and nutrition.

The most common horse colour is bay and the rarest horse colour is true genetic white.

Just for Pun