SCCR Newsletter, Issue #28 - March, 2025

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome.

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch is a sanctuary for horses, donkeys, mules, 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 wonderful people who have dedicated their time and energy to helping these animals in need.

Big Bruce

Last month Second Chance Cheekye Ranch (SCCR) said a sad farewell to beautiful Bruce, the Clydesdale/Thoroughbred cross who ruled his paddock with his big heart and propensity to crash through fences if his hay was running out or his herd was feeling restless.

Bruce came to SCCR in October 2021 and was an instant favourite, with his large stature and outsized but gentle personality. Everyone fell in love with Bruce but no one fell harder than Phil Norrish. Phil had been volunteering at Cheekye for a few months, after the death of his wife from MS. Phil: “I came to the ranch to get with the horses and feel their healing power. I had no intention of adopting until Bruce and I looked at each other for the first time. He knew I was hurting and I knew he was hurting. He adopted ME, really.”

Bruce came from 100 Mile House, his owner unable to care for him anymore. Only 10 or 12 years old, he was sometimes lame and when the vet examined him, the news wasn’t great. Bruce had the degenerative disease ringbone, similar to osteoarthritis in humans. Phil still figured they’d have a decade together, but Bruce’s condition deteriorated quickly. In recent months Phil and the vet monitored Bruce’s pain on both sides of medication, watching his body language, his face, his ears. “Everything horses tell you when they’ve had enough. There were a couple days when he could barely get up and then almost fell over.”

It was time.

Phil was at Bruce’s side, with a hand on the big guy’s cheek, as the vet gently eased Bruce out of this world. Phil: “He’s entered my dreams since and said that he’s okay and not feeling any pain and happy to be in his next chapter of life. I have no regrets. He was a beautiful soul that touched everybody here with his royal presence and power of security and love.”

More Ranch News

We do have happier news to report this month. Two horses have been adopted to great homes.

Buttons has moved to Pender Island, adopted by a couple who’ve been around horses for 35 years or more. They’ve got a big place, 14 or so acres, plus a barn. Because Buttons has some arthritis, we were especially careful about finding the right place for her. These folks weren’t looking to ride much, their focus was on a companion horse for their gelding. And we’re told it’s going great; Buttons has adapted quickly and is bossing the gelding around.

Riley has moved to the Sunshine Coast where he’s now enjoying life with a barn and lots of turn-out. He’s been adopted by a good friend and supporter of SCCR who wanted him for light riding and as a companion for her older horse.

February was dental month for SCCR and we did 23 of our Rescues .It really hit us hard in the pocketbook, in the ballpark of 10k! 

Other than that, winter has been kind this year. No horrendous storms and the snow we did have was manageable. We are looking forward to warmer weather and the longer days to keep up with the horses shedding!

Snowy Horses

With a couple days of snow in February the horses enjoyed the white stuff falling at the Ranch! It was beautiful.

Jerry & Micky staying warm together.

Snowy munchkins. Definitely not up to no good.

A perfect shadow.

Ernie, the ice muncher.

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Cheekye Character - Nicola

If you visit or volunteer at Second Chance Cheekye Ranch, you’ve almost certainly seen Nicola even if she hasn’t had time to say more than a quick hello. As a ranch hand, Nicola clocks 25-30,000 steps a day and on a big day upwards of 40,000!

A typical winter day (rough quote): “First I go to the barn and muck stalls, fill hay nets & waters, put blankets on before letting the horses out. Then I move on to the paddocks – hay bales where needed, muck red (no volunteer) paddocks, and fill waters which in winter often includes my least favourite task of breaking ice in the water buckets! Then it’s general maintenance work which varies every day and is weather dependent - raking arenas, cleaning up communal areas, moving pallets we don’t need anymore, fixing fence boards. Lunchtime, feed the horses in the barn and around at Northside. In the afternoon I do another round of paddocks – water and hay as needed, muck any red paddocks. Late afternoon, close down the barn, fill hay nets. Oh, and I often do a round of getting horses back in their paddocks.”

Nicola is originally from Essex UK. She came to Canada in January 2023 looking for a fresh start. She was seeking a place with lots of nature for something new for herself and her teenage kids to experience.

Horses have always been part of her life so when Nicola moved to Squamish, the first thing she did was figure out how to get close to horses. Cheekye felt like “a soft place to land” so Nicola started volunteering early in 2023 and became a staff ranch hand a few months later.

Even with her incredible workload, Nicola loves being at the ranch every day and knowing all 100 or so horses. She does have a heart pony who reminds Nicola of her childhood pony. Sassy little Josie demands Nicola be fully present when they are together. If Nicola’s not giving 100% of her undivided attention, Josie refuses to leave the paddock!

One of the many things Nicola loves about Cheekye is how “the gate is always open” for those who want to help. If someone shows up with heart in hand and a willingness to be helpful, they are always welcomed. “Our most valuable currency is time. It’s so amazing how many people volunteer their time every week to help our horses.”

Body Language -Talking Heads

The position and movement of a horse’s head are easy to see and can tell you a lot about mood and what they’re thinking:

Lowered. A dropped head is a sign your horse is relaxed and feeling good, and their ears will often hang to the side as well. If they’re standing in a stall or pasture with a lowered head, your horse is likely either resting or asleep; call out and make your approach obvious so you don’t startle. 

Elevated. Your horse is focused on something in the distance, and probably trying to figure out whether to flee, investigate or ignore. As the handler, you need to realize that your horse is not paying attention to you and may be about to spook or bolt. You must regain their focus.

A horse who raises their head while being ridden may be in pain, especially if he or she also hollows the back, pins the ears or wrings their tail. Carefully examine your tack for protruding screws or other sources of discomfort and check for proper fit. If the behaviour persists, have a veterinarian check your horse for back pain.

Snaking. Lowering the head slightly and waving the neck from side to side is an aggressive act, often used by stallions who are fighting or herding an uncooperative mare. If you see a horse do this, it’s a red alert. You need to ascertain why the horse is aggressive and defuse the situation. This may mean refocusing his attention, moving him out of the area or just getting away from him.

Source- Equus Magazine

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.