SCCR Newsletter, Issue #4 - March, 2023

Ranch Report

Winter wasn’t finished with us yet as gale force winds, bone chilling temperatures and 2 feet of snow hammered us in the last week. She also decided to take our stoic HAWK (pictured below). A Registered Morgan, “Night Hawk of Rocking M” would have been 27 years old on April 7th of this year. Born in Nevada, USA, he and his daughter Dancer (now 24 years old and living at Cheekye Ranch) were sold and transported to the Williams Lake area in 2007. Both were sold to a family in Lillooet in 2015. Due to health reasons they were surrendered to SCCR in late August, 2017. In the 5 1/2 years that Hawk lived and roamed at Cheekye Ranch he was everything to everyone who knew him. He touched so many hearts and will be sorely missed. RIP Hawk 1996~2023.

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.

Rest in Peace sweet Night Hawk.

Photo credit: Colleen Murphy

Meet Doug Barone

Doug moved to the ranch about 5 years ago. Kris has known and worked with Doug for over 25 years and he is the best machine operator in BC, BAR NONE. He looks after and works with 8 horses, along with helping endlessly with anything and everything that needs doing around the ranch. In an emergency or if something needs attending to urgently, he is among the first there. He is a jack of all trades and always there when the ranch needs him. One of the hardest working people around. We are so grateful beyond words for Doug and all that he does for us all. It is fitting to honour him this month as it is his birthday month! Happy early birthday, Doug!

Adoption Highlight: Bobby

Bobby (Bee) was born 2 weeks after her mother Honey arrived at Second Chance Cheekye Ranch in the summer of 2018. She is a 5 year old, 13hh flashy bay filly. Bobby is incredibly well socialized, confident, halter broke, stands for the farrier, loads like a champ, excellent ground manners and well started on the lunge line. She is up to date on vaccinations, feet and worming. She has been in tack and stands calmly with weight on her back. This filly could go any direction, English or Western or even a perfect liberty pony! She has a strong draw and is easy to connect with.

She is so smart and wants a job and her own person to treat her like the princess she is. She is great at liberty and on line. She does walk, trot, canter and backs up. Trailers well and likes to do tricks! She is a very confident and smart mare and likes to be the boss of everyone. Perfect for small adult or kids. To learn more about Bobby please click here.

Sponsorship Highlight: Maternity Ward

Although Second Chance has a strict ‘no breeding’ policy for all of our horses, we regularly rescue pregnant mares and take on the responsibility of caring for their babies for as long as need be. The foals always stay until they can be weaned, and almost always a year or two more while they mature. It’s relatively uncommon to adopt a horse under 2 years old, so they tend to spend their first 2 or 3 years on the ranch. SCCR currently has 4 foals, and several yearlings.

Kaylee is a 4 year old mare who came to us pregnant. She had a healthy baby colt named Cash on May 11 , 2022. Kaylee and Cash will be staying with us for the time being to ensure this beautiful mare can provide the best support for her new baby. She will be allowed to just be a mother for another year or so, then we will commence with her training.

In addition, SCCR rescued 2 mares, Paisley and Reba, who came with very young foals, Prada and Tansy (pictured above). Both of these wee fillies are drop dead gorgeous and very affectionate, seeking human interaction whenever they can get it.

There is considerable cost involved in allowing youngsters the opportunity to stay with their mommas and mature at their own rate, with little pressure for the first years of their lives. If you would like to sponsor our maternity ward and help us support the youngest of our rescues, you can do so here: Sponsor Maternity Ward

Horse Facts

OLD BILLY

Old Billy was the longest living horse on record. He was verified to be 62 years old at the time of his death. Modern veterinary medicine and good horse welfare mean that the usual lifespan for a healthy domesticated horse is between 25 and 30 years. There are well-recorded instances from the 20th century of domesticated horses living into their 40s and 50s, but none has ever matched Old Billy.

In 1760 in England, Old Billy became a barge horse and would pull barges up and down canals. He was said to look like a big cob/shire horse and was brown with a white blaze. Old Billy died on November 27, 1822.

Source: Historic UK