SCCR Newsletter, Issue #41 - April 2026

Second Chance Cheekye Ranch: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome

Tommy

Ranch Report

April Fool’s came a little early at Second Chance Cheekye Ranch.

The weather was so beautiful in the very early days of spring that we were all ready to celebrate the season’s arrival. Sunshine, dry footing, lighter chores, it felt like winter had finally loosened its grip. Then, in true West Coast weather fashion, Mother Nature stepped in mid-March and said, “Not so fast!”

A stretch of stormy, unsettled weather rolled through and reminded us all that spring on the Sea to Sky can keep us on our toes and in rain gear! But we weathered (haha) that nasty spell, and now we’re hopeful the sunshine is here to stay as we head into the Easter long weekend. T-shirts, please… fingers crossed!

Even with the shifting skies, life at the Ranch keeps moving forward.

This past month, we welcomed two new horses into our care, each beginning their own new chapter here at SCCR. At the same time, we also had the joy of seeing one very sweet fella head off to his dream home. Acres to wander, fresh adventures ahead, and perhaps most heartwarming of all, the chance to rekindle an old friendship.

As always, the Ranch continues to be a place of both arrivals and farewells, of healing and hope. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Happy Endings - Daniel

Daniel arrived in the summer of 2022 with his twin brother and nine other horses, all purchased at auction in Alberta by a meat dealer, all slated for shipment to slaughter within the month.

From the beginning, Daniel carried himself with a quiet intensity. He was guarded and defensive around the feeder, though always respectful of the alpha mare. Humans were another story. Ears pinned in disapproval, he made it very clear he wanted nothing to do with us! But it was more fear than aggression and he never followed through on a threat.

So we gave him space… and time. And we kept showing up.

Eventually, resistance softened into curiosity. A cautious head scratch turned into a neck pat. Connection finally came at liberty in his paddock, on his terms.

Daniel eventually accepted the halter and soon learned that haltering meant going places and experiencing new things. Some of those things were overwhelming and unfamiliar but every time he felt nervous, he came back to us for reassurance. And he got it.

Watching him learn that humans could be consistent, fair, and kind has been an absolute privilege. Daniel has grown into a thoughtful, sensitive, and deeply honest horse. Helping him understand our world has been one of the quiet joys of this work.

And now Daniel begins his next chapter in Heffley Creek BC, just northeast of Kamloops. He’s reunited with his old paddock mate, Shooter, who was adopted last autumn. Ranch regulars may remember that this is a pretty heavenly placement. Our guys join a herd of more that 25 rescue horses who live at Epona Rise Retreat Centre, roaming at liberty on 80 rolling acres.

Adoption is always bittersweet. We invest in their healing, celebrate every small breakthrough. And then one day, we step back and let them go. But this is the goal. This is the win. Daniel hasn’t just been adopted, he’s been chosen.

Chosen for who he is.

Chosen for the journey he’s taken.

Chosen for the life ahead of him.

And that is everything to us.

New Arrivals

In mid-March Second Chance Cheekye Ranch welcomed two young seniors into our care.

They came from a petting farm - a high-traffic, high-interaction environment that really didn’t suit either of them. The constant stimulation was overwhelming and, while both were kind and affectionate with familiar staff and volunteers, they could be reactive with the public.

It was clear that these two need – and deserve – a quieter, softer, more predictable environment. At SCCR they can take all the time they need to decompress and adjust to their new surroundings. We are committed to giving them the patience, routine, and space they need to settle in comfortably before making any big decisions about their future. If you’re at the ranch, you can catch a glimpse of them in Alberta4 paddock.

Once they’re settled and ready, SCCR will feature these two beauties on our website with full profiles and updates as they begin the next chapter of their journey. Meanwhile, here’s a sneak peek.

Kai

Kai is a 17hh, 23-year-old Bay Thoroughbred Gelding. According to the staff at the petting farm, this handsome boy is high-energy, affectionate, and truly enjoys connecting with his handlers. He forms bonds with the people who care for him and appreciates consistent interaction. At times he can be a bit pushy and enjoys rubbing on people, so he benefits from confident, clear, and consistent handling.

Suzy

Suzy is a 15hh, 23-year-old Palomino Quarter Horse Mare who shares a deep bond with Kai. She’s known by her caregivers as a gentle, sweet mare. Suzy is kind and affectionate with familiar handlers but sensitive by nature and easily overwhelmed in busy environments. She can be head shy and prefers calm, predictable handling.

After years of adapting to environments that weren’t quite right for them, Kai and Suzy are ready for a slower pace and a place to simply be horses.

At SCCR, we’ll enjoy watching them settle, exhale, and begin to flourish in a setting that honours who they are. Seeing senior horses rediscover comfort and confidence is incredibly special, and we are excited to be part of that journey with them.

Shedding Season

It’s that time of year again, when our horses begin to shed their winter coats. As spring progresses, when you walk into a paddock, you’ll often see horses scratching themselves vigorously on a tree or post. Clearly the seasonal shed is a pretty itchy business!

If you’re not an experienced horse person, you might be surprised to know that it’s not primarily the change in temperature that signals it’s time to shed, but rather the increased daylight hours. That said, every horse is on their own schedule, depending largely on age and health.

A spring or two ago, one of our vollies was grooming her assigned horse when she suddenly noticed a line-up behind said horse, a line-up which even included the usually super standoffish Gramma. The entire paddock wanted in on the action! After checking with Kris, everybody got some shedding assistance and the vollie went home with a new horsehair coat of her own.

If you’re a volunteer who wants to help, and are part of the Groom and Graze program, here are some tips:

• Find yourself a proper shedding tool. They can be a little weird looking, compared to regular grooming tools, but the horses love that deep scrubbing. You can also use a regular hair-brush, one with tough plastic bristles. Not as good but an itchy horse will still be appreciative! Whatever shedding tool you chose, you can finish with a regular grooming, if you’re so inclined.

• Ask Kris or Kellie which horses to groom. Although every horse who’s been out uncovered in the winter weather will want to shed, not all want to be touched!

• If you see any really funky skin conditions, let Kellie or Kris know.

• Don’t wear tights or you’ll go home very fuzzy. Jeans are good at repelling horsehair. And even on a warm day, it’s useful to cover your arms in a shirt made of a smooth fabric.

- Enjoy!

Honouring Dr Steve

Since the last Saturday in April is World Veterinary Day, we absolutely must honour our own Dr Steve Chiasson, known widely and affectionately as Dr Steve. He’s been SCCR’s vet since 2017 and we are so very lucky to have him.

Dr Steve was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Dogs were plentiful in his neighbourhood and that’s where his love of animals began. Dr Steve can’t really remember deciding he wanted to be a vet; he simply never wanted to be anything else! His pre-vet studies were at an Agricultural College, focused on cows, or bovines as Dr Steve would say, and that was his professional focus in 1995 when he accepted a job offer in Abbotsford BC.

In 2004, he opened his own large animal practice and found himself working more and more with horses. Dr Steve finds them fascinating, and caring for them is complicated enough to hold the interest of even his voracious brain. So he started another company working only with equines, Horizon Equine Veterinary Clinic.

An early adopter of acupuncture treatment for horses, which he now teaches internationally, Dr Steve says the part that really interests him is the careful diagnosis he must make, walking around the horse before the acupuncture needles are inserted: “If you listen to the animals, they really do have a story to tell.”

A white Horizon Equine van arrives at SCCR at least once a month for everything from routine dental work to the sad task of putting a horse to sleep where Dr Steve again considers the whole horse: “I try to make people aware of all the options while balancing the elements of age, pain and possible longevity.”

SCCR boss Kris Latham: “I can’t say enough good about Dr Steve. Veterinary care is obviously essential to a rescue operation like Second Chance Cheekye Ranch where we often take on horses with various ailments. It means so much to have somebody like Dr. Steve, whom I trust completely.”

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.