SCCR Newsletter, Issue #8 - July, 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 to 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 our team. Without the caring, hard-working volunteers we have at the ranch, we would simply not be able to do what we do.

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.

Ranch Report

And just like that we have officially hit Summer!! 

June was an amazing month for us here with 4 absolutely fantastic homes finalized for our 4 legged friends: 

• MALIBU and Cybelle (staying at the Ranch).

• MALACHI and Martina (leaving to Quadra Island in August),

• CHARLIE and Stephanie (staying at the Ranch).  

• LADY and Noelle (staying at the Ranch for a couple months then moving to Vancouver Island). 

Ongoing training with our other rescues has ramped up and some great new volunteers have joined us, but we are always open to more. So, if you love animals and want to make a difference to the lives of horses, donkeys, and mules in need, we are always on the lookout for great people to join our team.

Have a safe and Happy July!!!

~Kris

Contest Alert: Brunch & Horses!

This month we are running a contest on our social media as a way to say thank you to our amazing community of supporters! Our neighbour, Fergie’s Cafe, has generously donated a prize, and the winner will receive:

• A $50 gift card to Fergie’s Cafe

• A 1 hour private tour of Second Chance Cheekye Ranch for up to four people

• A 45 minute horse experience (groom and graze)

Check out our Facebook or Instagram pages for how you can enter to win. Contest ends July 7th.

50/50 Draw Supporting Horse Rescues in BC

Click here to participate in a 50/50 draw organized by The Horse Rescue Fund of BC. Last day to enter is June 30th and tickets start at $10

Introducing Marie Grindlay, Ranch Tours

Photo by: @shootwithelena

Marie has known Kris (owner of SCCR) for roughly 20 years. She has been involved since the early years of Second Chance Cheekye Ranch and has seen it grow to what it is today. She runs tours at the ranch, educating folks on what we do, why we do it, and encouraging others to take part in the cause. She has a gift of opening hearts, connecting people, and building community. She is such an integral part of the SCCR herd, and we are grateful to have her! We sat down with Marie, recently, and asked her a couple questions:

Can you tell me about your beginnings with SCCR?

I remember vividly my first day here. It was 2017 and Kris gave me the open door to come and get my horse fix anytime I wanted. I was pregnant with Ruth and living next door. I remember hopping over the fence and it being all trees. It’s just such a magical place, the mountain views, the river, the trees, eagles, ravens, and horses everywhere.

What is the best thing about SCCR?

That you can leave everything at the gate. I have learned so much about myself from being here. If you do bring your baggage in, the horses will sense it and be like “no thanks, I’m not vibing with you today”. They are a great mirror for us and cause us to become more mindful people, and to check ourselves, Like, ok maybe I need to go hug a tree, take my shoes off, take a breath, and come back to the horses.

We highly encourage you to book a tour with Marie if you have not done so already! It is an experience to be remembered!

Horse Highlight Adoption: Betty

Betty is one of nine yearlings that were rescued in 2021 from an uncertain fate. They came to us from Alberta, and had been completely unhandled. Betty was one of the first to come around and open herself to trusting humans. Betty is almost 3 years old now, and is out and about for walks around the property. She has started learning her ground work skills, and is happy to stand for grooming and gives her feet willingly. She is really curious and interested, and eager to learn. Betty is very well put together, likely a ‘bred’ horse, possibly an Appendix. She is super sweet and soft, with a very kind eye.

To learn more about Betty, please click here.

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

Horse Highlight Sponsorship: Sophia

This sweet, beautiful young 4yr old mare is one of 8 yearlings and horses that arrived at SCCR after being lucky enough to be rescued from the meat lot in Alberta back in late Summer of 2019. It was really a last minute save for these guys and they underwent an incredibly traumatic experience, being torn from their mothers at a young age, sent to the auction, and then transported from Alberta to BC. All of the other yearlings have been adopted, but due to a fused foot injury Sophia remains a sponsor horse. We hope that she will find a family to love her someday, but until then she remains with us at the ranch. Any help towards Sophia’s care would be greatly appreciated.

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

Horse Facts: Mule Edition

What is a mule? Mules are one of the most common working animals in the world. Mules pull carts to market, carry people across rough terrain, and help till soil. Mules are known for their hardiness and their docile nature.

Mules are the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. They combine characteristics of both horse and donkey. A hinny is the offspring of a male horse and female donkey and is much rarer.

Mules are 99% sterile. This is due to an uneven chromosome count. In rare cases, female mules have been known to give birth to foals.

Mules are hardier, eat less, and live longer than horses. They require less food and have more stamina than a horse of the same weight and height, making them resilient working animals in some of the harshest environments.

Don’t let the old saying “stubborn as a mule” fool you; mules are thought to be more docile than their donkey fathers. But a mule’s greater intelligence also means they are more caution and aware of danger.

The skin of a mule is less sensitive and more resistant to sun and rain than a horse. They also have hardier hooves than horses, which are less likely to split or crack.

Although the average lifespan of a mule is 40 years, some have been known to live until 50, especially when well looked after.

Unlike a horse, mules can kick sideways. Although mules are usually docile, an angry mule can kick both backwards and to the side.

Mules are intelligent, remarkable animals. In the right home, they can make great companions for other equines and wonderful pets.

Source: Spana

Just for Pun