SCCR Newsletter, Issue #40 - March 2026

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome

Mimosa, Daniel & Bud

Ranch Report

Tessa (front) & Sweets

March heralds the first day of Spring. With it comes longer days and (hopefully) brighter skies as well as the quiet promise of fresh new growth.

After the dark stillness and weight of winter, something almost palpable shifts. The light lingers a little longer in the evenings. The paddocks begin to soften. Buds push forward on branches that just weeks ago looked lifeless. And across the Ranch, there is a renewed sense of momentum.

For our volunteers, Spring brings a lift in spirits. Chores feel lighter under blue skies. Grooming sessions stretch a little longer in the warmth of the afternoon sun. Conversations linger at the paddocks as everyone soaks in the welcome change of season. There’s a shared energy, another reminder of why we do this work and of how much the rhythm of nature mirrors our own.

For Kris, Spring has always meant both reflection and renewed resolve. It’s a season of planning, of projects waiting to start, of looking at the herds and seeing not just where they are, but where they are going and what they need. The longer days mean more time to connect, observe, and dream a little bigger for each horse in our care.

And for the equines? A renewed playful energy ripples through the herds. Spring means rolling in dry patches of ground, searching eagerly for the first green blades of grass and enjoying long, luxurious stretches in the warmth of the afternoon sun. There’s a lightness to them this time of year, a little more bounce in their step, and a little more mischief in their eyes.

At SCCR, March doesn’t just change the calendar, it changes the feeling. It reminds us that growth is always possible, that brighter days do return, and that everything has its season to rest, rebuild, and ultimately flourish.

Happy Endings - Jake

Every adoption is sweet, but this one is right up there. Just 6 months ago, Jake was in the Kamloops stockyard when he was spotted by another rescue organization that had run out of funds to take on Jake and 3 other beautiful sound horses (Jenny, Lil Joe, Harold). Kris bartered successfully with the meat-buyer for all 4 lives. 7-year-old Jake is the first to move on into what we hope will be his forever home.

This beautiful dapple bay gelding arrived inquisitive, yet very hesitant. We knew little about his past other than that he was “possibly broke to ride,” but it was clear he carried some definite mental scars when it came to humans. Rather than push, we gave him space and respect, allowing him to show us who he was and what he needed.

Over time, Jake began to soften. Curiosity slowly started to outweigh caution. Small moments of trust turned into quiet connection. Watching that shift, when a horse decides you might be worth trusting, is always one of the most meaningful parts of this work.

On February 15th, Jake left the ranch for his new home on the Sunshine Coast BC where he now shares his days with three paddock mates and, most importantly, his very own person.

Though Jake is her first horse, Kathy brings over 35 years of horse experience and a lifetime of love for equines. The smile on her face when Jake stepped off the trailer said everything. She understands that trust isn’t rushed, it’s earned, and she’s ready to give him the time he needs.

Jake is a horse still hesitant to fully trust, but open enough to let a real bond begin. And we at SCCR couldn’t be happier with this partnership and the quiet, steady future ahead for them both.

Paddock Shuffling

Spud (front) & Parker

When horses find homes and leave us, or newer horses are ready to transition from isolation into a group situation, or even when a herd just needs a social reboot, Kris thinks long and hard about paddock composition – who goes where. There’s an intricate social geometry involved.

“Paddock shuffling is a bit of a strategic mind game for me. Horses are deeply social animals, and herd dynamics are no small thing. There are leaders, peacekeepers, instigators, the socially awkward, and the ones who just want snacks and zero drama.

Sometimes it’s as simple as thoughtfully integrating one horse into an established herd and watching body language carefully - ears, eyes, posture, who moves whose feet. Other times, it means relocating an entire group and essentially pressing the ‘reset’ button on the social hierarchy.

When it works, it’s almost magical. The herd settles, the energy softens, and everyone finds their place with minimal fuss. And then there are the other times - when within five minutes it’s clear the committee has voted unanimously: ‘Absolutely not.’ That’s when I step in, rethink the strategy, and remind myself that horses are honest about their preferences, brutally honest!

It’s equal parts science, instinct, experience, and a little bit of humility. Because no matter how carefully I plan it, the horses always get the final say.”

New Kid in Town

His name is DUKE. Almost three years old, a handsome Shepherd x Heeler with bright eyes and an even brighter spirit.

In early February, out of the blue, a gentleman called looking for help. His family was moving back to New Zealand and the cost of bringing Duke along was simply prohibitive. With heavy hearts, they were trying to find him a safe and loving home.

Kris explained that Second Chance Cheekye Ranch is an equine rescue facility - horses, donkeys, mules. Not typically dogs. Still, she invited him to send photos and a write-up, offering to share Duke on SCCR’s volunteer page in case one of the “vollies” might be looking for a new companion.

But sometimes fate has other plans.

One look at those photos and Kris knew there wasn’t likely to be any courtesy post. Duke was meant to be the next addition to the Cheekye Ranch family.

He came for a “play day” in mid-February to meet Boone, Gizmo, and the horses. He never left.

Duke has settled into ranch life as if he always belonged here! He’s alert, loyal, and happiest when he has a job (or at least the appearance of one). He’s embraced the wide open spaces, the daily rhythms of chores, and the constant coming and going that defines life at the Ranch.

Kris says they’re still working on Duke’s feline communication skills, apparently her 3 rescued cats are less impressed with his enthusiasm than everyone else. But she's confident he’ll get there.

Welcome home, Duke.

Valiant Vollie

Sarah with Casey & Ruby-Mae, 2017

It’s no surprise that SCCR’s longest-serving vollie was born during the previous Year of the Fire Horse, 1966. Sarah Bertin is a force of nature, forging her own path through this world, choosing not safety but fulfilment. That’s how she found SCCR, and why she stays.

Born in England but raised in Toronto, Sarah didn’t have much to do with horses as a child, unless you count going to the racetrack with her mom. It’s something Sarah would never do now, but she does credit those times at the track with turning her into a horse-lover. Still, for many years Sarah was focused on other things, like studying archaeology at university “I had images of being a female Indiana Jones”. She soon realized that would mean way too much time in dusty museums and so turned instead to teaching and then to social work. By 1992 she was in Vancouver, running a Women’s Centre. But after having a baby in 2001, Sarah wanted to find something less emotionally draining: “I saw a dog-walker and a light bulb went off.” So what else does a fiery spirit do but quit the secure job with benefits and start her own dog-walking company? 17 years of that plus buying, renovating and selling houses (with then partner Steve) provided the security to semi-retire and move to Squamish.

By then, Sarah had already begun volunteering at the ranch. She started in the winter of 2016/17 after hearing about SCCR from a dog-walking client. Sarah remembers this as a time when Kris didn’t have much organizational support. Sarah: “Things grew organically and exponentially for Kris. It was more organic and freeform. Half a dozen of us would just show up and get to work. Shifts were minimum 3 hours but sometimes you’d muck for 5 or 6. Who’s counting? It was a special time at the ranch.”

Sarah has worked with horses in other venues. In her late 30s, she took riding lessons at the Equestrian Centre in North Van while working at a private horse barn nearby - learning to lunge, groom, feed, muck and keep the tack room spotless! It was while working at a friend’s guest ranch in Nicaragua in 2018 that Sarah got bucked off a galloping horse and fell onto packed sand. She got back on and rode the horse home but says her back and hips have never been quite the same. That’s part of the reason why she doesn’t feel the urge to ride anymore, but only part - “Horses help you reset. Going in and mucking or grooming or hanging out is enough. Just being around them is lovely.”

As she turns 60 in this Year of the Fire Horse, Sarah is onto another adventure, “a retirement side hustle” that combines her love of adventure with her love of animals. She’s begun house-and-animal sitting for people from Sooke to Nicaragua. It means missing some shifts at the ranch, but Sarah has no intention of giving up her place on the mucking schedule!

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.