SCCR Newsletter, Issue #23 - October, 2024

Photo of Jerry by Soul Puppy

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch is a sanctuary for horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies, pot-bellied pigs and dogs. 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 the animals who call it home, but also the lives of the people who dedicate their time and energy to giving these animals a second chance.

Volunteer Appreciation Day: Giving Thanks

It’s that time of the year again, Thanksgiving. At Second Chance Cheekye Ranch, we got a bit ahead of ourselves and hosted a social a couple of weeks ago to show our appreciation to the volunteers who are so vital to the operation.

SCCR owner Kris Latham: “About 35 people made it up to the ranch and we had a blast. Or at least I sure did! I’m so grateful to all the folks who make it up here every week to muck paddocks and show our wonderful animals some love.”

There are about 100 regular volunteers and Kris wants everyone to know how thankful she is for your time and commitment – rain or shine, sleet or snow. “It may not always feel like it, but you’re vital to this operation. When a horse is saved from slaughter, or goes to a loving home, you’ve each got a piece of it. Don’t forget that! I sure don’t.”

Flame

Ranch Report

It’s been a tough few weeks at the ranch, too many losses. But it’s a comfort to remember that each of the sweet souls we said good-bye to were saved from awful situations and lived final years filled with love and peace.

Flame often hung around outside Trail paddock, kind of a one-man greeting party for vollies and visitors parking near the yurt. Kris is missing his early morning greetings as 26-year-old Flame eagerly called out for his morning mash. Kris: “He was such a great horse. He’d gone through so much in his life but stayed sweet, and then some.”

A registered Arab, Flame, along with his friend Arby, had been abandoned at SCCR and we welcomed them in October 2020. Flame had an awesome final four years as a staff and vollie favourite (especially Susan, Hannah, Marie) before finally succumbing to complications from colic.

Babe on the left

It wasn’t long after Flame’s passing that we lost Babe, one of the ranch’s pet pigs. Babe and her sister Mabel came to Cheekye with the very first haul of 3 horses in the Fall of 2015. This was the group that included an Appaloosa mare, Allie, whom Kris adopted. They were all at a breeding facility which had gone belly-up. Kris had pigs as a kid in Newfoundland, and loves them, so there’s no way the 8 week old siblings were getting left behind.

This is a tough loss particularly because of how it happened – a freak attack by a black bear on the property. It’s never happened before, in all the years SCCR has been happily cohabiting with wildlife.

Elton

Elton came to Cheekye from an Alberta auction in the spring of 2022. We knew he was a registered Thoroughbred, not sure if he was off the track. A beautiful and apparently sound sorrel, we originally had high hopes that Elton could be slowly and gently rehabilitated into a saddle horse for some lucky person. We worked with him on his trust issues, but they didn’t improve a whole lot while his health quickly declined.

Turned out that Elton had painful back problems plus a dental disease that warranted removing his whole palate. He got skinnier and skinnier and Kris worked hard for most of a year to try to get weight on him. It couldn’t be done, and his pain was apparent. So the tough decision was made to let him go. We want everyone to know that Elton (aka Elty) did have friends and some good times at the ranch. When his pain wasn’t too bad, he’d show a very sweet side to volunteers who worked with him regularly.

Halan

And then on Thursday September 26, a loss that is almost unbearable. Shortly after 6 am, as Kris began the morning feed, she found 11-year-old Halan with a broken leg. There was no visible explanation. Kris gave him pain meds and comforted Halan as she waited for the vet, hoping that this sweet sensitive boy could be saved. An X-ray made it clear that it wasn’t to be.

This is a terrible loss because Halan was young and healthy and because of his gentle spirit. A Fjord gelding, Halan had only one eye but that didn’t hinder him. When Halan came to Cheekye in 2023, he was shut down and very untrusting to humans yet he quickly showed deep confidence and a loving nature. Halan was a truly unique and captivating presence.

Kris: “I am crushed to not be able to look him in the eye and feel his quiet soul touch my heart.”

Oscar

But all the news isn’t bad. We do have rather surprising good news to report.

When long tall Oscar came to the ranch in 2022 with his pal Casper, we figured we might have lifers here. Two older (18 and 22) ex-racehorses who turned out to have some health issues are not every one’s dream. But the big guys turned out to be easy to handle and have sweet personalities. The younger boy, 17-hand-high Oscar is a bit of an unintentional comic genius. Very alert to any possible danger, he likes to be as close as possible to you, or to his herd-mates, at all times.

Oscar has been adopted by a previous volunteer who has another SCCR horse. He’s now living in Pemberton.

We have other potential adoptions coming up and one horse returning. Lovely Kaylee, Cash’s mom, will be back at Cheekye by the time you read this. Her adopter had some health issues and wasn't able to care for Kaylee properly. She’s a sound and sensible mare so we don’t expect Kaylee will be with us too long. Of course, she’ll get all the time she needs to unwind and get back into the Cheekye groove. 

Picture & words by Gina Frank

Cheekye Moment: Look For The Light

When chattering amongst other Cheekye folk, I often notice a common theme. A state of being that visits us when we open that front gate and (hopefully), leave some of our invisible baggage behind. Once here, I often lose track of time, getting pulled into moments that demand my attention, a whisper that invites me to “stay awhile”.

I recall one particular fall day during my first year of volunteering. I looked up from my wheelbarrow and was utterly captured by what I can only describe as a visual poem. What felt like a hundred bands of light were passing through the trees, painting the surroundings in light while simultaneously casting shadows all around. I stood in marvel.

Fall had arrived, and it was perfect. Time seemed to stand still. The horses were aglow, sketched in light and shadow and blanketed in the steam rising from their backs with the change in temperature. They all rested together, the air steaming in swirls through their noses, and rising off their backs, as if they were breathing each other’s air. They stood, as horses often do, in a semi-circular pattern, clearly finding comfort in togetherness.

And boy was it beyond beautiful. My first, but not my last, utterly perfect Cheekye day.

Let it Flow

The concept of mindfulness is widespread, and a familiar feeling to experience when in nature and among horses. But that magic day I was caught in another state of being that sometimes happens organically when I’m in this beautiful place with these magical beings - flow.

The term “flow state” describes a mental state in which a person is directing all their attention toward a task and does not experience many thoughts about themselves or their performance (ain’t that a nice break!). Some people refer to this informally as being “in the zone”.

I sometimes get the privilege of experiencing this feeling when I’m mucking. I get a “press pause” feeling when my mind’s radio is quieted, because I am immersed in the comfort of a repetitive (and soothing) task. One that feeds the soul.

While distinct from one another, Flow & Mindfulness can work together beautifully. When I’m at the ranch, my best days are when I experience both: a state of being with horses and nature that leaves little room for the thinking brain, plus a state where I am utterly drawn into moments of awe and, if I’m really lucky, a state of marvel.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Just for Fun

For information about sponsoring a horse or to make a one-time donation click here or email sccrsponsorahorse@gmail.com

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 advocate.

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

• Volunteer at the ranch. No horse experience necessary.