Welcome to our 2024 FALL SEMESTER!!

Written By Sally Ann Cheyne

We just had our first day of our FALL SEMESTER today and it was AWESOME!! I'm so thrilled to be outside caring and connecting with the animals and you all - this job is truly a dream. This is our 7th year operating and our 5th year offering these classes.

This post is intended for families with confirmed spots on our Fall schedule of classes. Interested in learning more about our classes? Please start here

Please please take some time to read this. Expectations are SO IMPORTANT.

CLASS OPENINGS: (Our programs generally sell out)

We outlined a weekly calendar with 48 individual lesson spots + 48 group class lesson spots and I can't believe that is 96 total student spots!! ALL 96 of those spots are FILLED!!  Whew! that took some maneuvering, thank you all for your patience while I got that together.

  • AVAILABLE Classes!

    • PALS: Our animal care 1:1 time is so much fun. We can hopefully find something that works with your schedule!

CALENDAR / DATES!

Fall 2024 | 16 weeks = two 8-week sessions | chra.us/p

  • Monday. August 19th - Sunday, October 13th

  • Monday, October 21st - Sunday, December 22nd

  • Consider bookmarking this weblink (chra.us/p) for your future reference. The next 12 months of Cheyne Ranch dates can be found here.

RAIN or SHINE!

Yes! Our classes meet rain or shine! Please only drive in safe conditions. We are committed to caring for the animals and our barn is nice and dry to keep on learning and caring! Our instructors have ahhhmazing and important rainy day lessons planned.

  • There are no refunds for missed classes

  • There is 1 make-up lesson offered every 8 weeks for individual classes (Riding lessons and PALS). 

  • There are no make-up lessons offered for group classes such as Nature Club and Treasures

  • In the case of an instructor absence, a make-up will be offered

PAYMENT | chra.us/pay

  • Invoices will be emailed soon - I HAVE AN ASSISTANT NOW!!!! YAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!! That means you will actually receive invoices before the end of the semester - ha!

  • You do NOT have to wait for an invoice, please feel free to pay anytime, here is a link for all the ways to pay: chra.us/pay

    • $400 for 8 weeks of

      • Horseback riding lessons

      • PALS

      • FRIDAY Nature Club

    • $320 for 8 weeks of WEDNESDAY Nature Club

      • If you read this far in the email, please note I'm changing the WEDNESDAY Nature Club price to lower the cost. The new cost is:

        • $40 each week for the 1st kid ($320 every 8 weeks - you can make payments)

        • $20 each kid after that ($160 every 8 weeks - also you can make payments)

    • Other costs & timelines:

      • Shawna’s Farmyard Explorers ($300 for the first 6 week session)

      • Equine Bridges ($520 for the first 8 weeks)

      • Speech Therapy ($120/hour)

      • Mental Health Counseling appointments ($120/hour)

Is your child on the FES/UA scholarship? If so, all of our Cheyne Ranch classes are reimbursable. Our invoices are all set up with all the requirements to receive reimbursement. You need 2 things to submit for FES/UA reimbursement

    • The invoice we provide to you

    • Receipt for proof of payment

WHAT TO WEAR

  • Our lessons meet rain or shine, please have your child dress in layers for working in varying weather conditions

  • Hiking / work boots are so helpful!

    • Old tennis shoes are also an option

    • Rain Boots are not very comfortable for any extended walking or animal care and they are not great for riding

    • Ariat is my family's favorite brand of work and/or riding boots - they are expensive, but they last a long time

    • Tractor Supply has boots to try on and purchase

  • Please consider bringing a change of clothes. We get really dirty and/or wet out here working sometimes. 

WATER! and snacks!

  • A refillable water bottle is SO ESSENTIAL! we have cold filtered water available to refill

  • Snacks are welcome, no eating in the barn please. We eat on the playground, the garage, or the pool patio

HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS | chra.us/hbr

  • If your child is in horseback riding lessons, PLEASE read our FAQ. Keep scrolling on the web page to read about our:

    • Instructor policy

    • Lesson horse policy

    • Rider level policy

    • Small group lessons

    • Horsemanship philosophy & emphasis

LEARNING LEVELS Curriculum!

Do you know about the awesome curriculum we follow? We have been following it for over a year now, and slowly incorporating more and more parts into our program. This fall we are offering 2 new things!

  1. Printed student study guides - $25 (which is my printing cost)

  2. Level-up days! A 2-hour workshop on the weekend where students earn a ribbon when they have completed all the objectives in the level! $30

This is optional! You do not have to participate in the ribbon and leveling up part of our program! Either way you receive the same high quality planned lesson.

This is a LONG TIME in the works, and I am so excited to finally be rolling it out. I had a LOT of help from a couple very supportive mamas. THANK YOU JESSICA & JOCELYN & SHAWNA!!!!

FAMILY VISITS! KIDS NIGHT OUT! BIRTHDAY PARTY! FIELD TRIPS!  |  chra.us

  • If you have family or friends in town and want to show them our animals + each kid can have a horse ride, please bring them to Cheyne Ranch for a family visit!

  • Kids' Night Out is SO FUN!! Ages 5 - 12ish, once a month during the school year:

  • We LOVE hosting birthday parties, they are small, laid back and REALLY FUN! 

  • FIELD TRIPS!! For Scouts, homeschool groups, clubs - the itinerary can be modified to your groups’ needs. 

LAST (but not least) PLEASE DONATE |  chra.us/donate

We LOVE sharing our animals with the community. We believe so wholly in our mission to teach people of all abilities animal care and connection. Horses, animals, staff wages, insurance, software - it is all SO EXPENSIVE! There are so many ways to contribute, here are a few ideas:

  • Read the above expectations and participate in our incredible community with patience and compassion

  • Donate to Cheyne Ranch, Inc - $10 HELPS us!!

  • Find out how your employer might match your donation

  • Follow & interact on Facebook / Instagram

  • Volunteer at Cheyne Ranch

  • Purchase things from our Amazon wish list 

  • Spread the word to friends and family about Cheyne Ranch - help us continue our mission as we continue to learn and grow together!

Please let me know if you have any questions, thank you for being part of our awesome community!

Sally Ann Cheyne

Founder & President 

Cheyne Ranch, Inc.

nonprofit 501(c)(3)

Located in Oviedo, FL


Call / Text: (407) 205-7744 

email: Sally@CheyneRanch.com

Website: www.CheyneRanch.com

Facebook: facebook.com/CheyneRanch

Instagram: instagram.com/CheyneRanch

Cheyne Ranch is a nonprofit that provides a safe, inclusive and accessible way for people of all abilities to learn about animal care & connections.

We serve our local community through providing scholarships to our lesson programs, caring for the many farm animals that have been donated to us, and advocating for inclusive, accessible experiences for all individuals.

Please donate and help us with our mission: chra.us/donate

Sally Ann Cheyne
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