November Update
🍁 Happy November!
First of all - I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY!!
There are seventy eleven stories I want to share that happen each week here - I don’t ever write them down though. But they are these beautiful, joyful moments - and FIFTY TIMES a week I think to myself, there is no place in the world I would rather be. I am so so lucky - thank you.
Yay! It is finally cooler weather. You will probably see the horse blankets out on the fence - our horses get blankets overnight when the temperature is in the 40’s and lower. Which already happened for 2 nights!! And now isn’t supposed to happen for a while…
Our doggies sure are happy with this cooler weather.
🍂 Quick Updates
We are now halfway through Fall 2 — we just wrapped Week 4 of our 8-week session!
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
There are no classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday, Nov 24 – Sunday, Nov 30).
❄️ December & Winter Break
We return in December for three more weeks to finish Fall 2, and then take a 3+ week break for the holidays.
🌱 Spring 1 (January 2026)
Our next 8-week session — Spring 1 2026 — begins on Friday, Jan 17
All reserved PALS, and horseback riding lesson times as well as Nature Club automatically continue for current students.
If you need to make any changes for Spring 1 2026, please let me know as soon as possible.
🐴 Spots & Waitlist
We currently have a waiting list for Riding Lessons and PALS.
If your student will not be continuing in January, please let me know ASAP so we can offer the spot to the next waiting student.
🌟 Something BIG is coming to Cheyne Ranch in November!
Cheyne Ranch is losing our “guest house” space… for a very good reason.
Grandpa Harlan (Sally’s dad) is officially becoming a Florida Snowbird! He is moving into the guest house this winter, finally living his Florida / Kansas dream — and we are so so excited to have him here.
To make sure our students don’t lose access to an important support area, we’re bringing in a large, new-to-us RV that will serve as a new space for all the things - a lounge & meeting area / coffee area / kitchen area for parties / bathroom and most important - a playroom for our PLASTIC HORSES!! (Our huge Schleich collection that was donated a few years ago can finally see its glory all set up!)
We’ll need some help getting it ready, but it’s going to be such an important space for our programs. Here is an Amazon registry started for this: Let’s get the RV ready!
And soon-ish…
We also plan to build a deck, which will double as a parent viewing area for riding lessons.
Bonfire.com - MERCH!!
Once a year we partner with Bonfire (an online retailer who works with nonprofits) to offer some MERCH!! This year we have Christmas / Winter themed hooded sweatshirts, crewnecks and t-shirts! Each item is available in several different colors and sizes.
You can get our regular logo also. Please check it out: https://www.bonfire.com/store/cheyneranch/
Cheyne Ranch receives $4 - $5 for each item purchased. Brace yourself - Bonfire is expensive (I really like their clothing quality though - and it gets prepared and shipped directly to you).
Online store available Nov 15, 2025 - Dec 6, 2025
—-> If you want a regular white or black Cheyne Ranch t-shirt - I have those in stock, so reach out to see if I have your size ($20).
—-> The fun, seasonal, bougie sweatshirts and t-shirts are available at Bonfire.com for a limited time.
Upcoming Events
There is always so much to do in November and December! Here are a couple of our planned events:
Friday, November 21st - Cheyne Ranch will be at the Makers Market 2025 presented by our friends at the Abilities Workshop. It is our 3rd year and it is so beautiful with all the Christmas lights! It is FREE to walk around!! Come see us!!
Monday, November 24th - Sunday, November 30th - CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
Week of December 29th - 3 day WINTER BREAK CAMP!! More details soon…
October Fun
October was SO MUCH FUN! Did you know our homeschool Friday Nature Club has 24 students and 6 incredible adult teachers working? You should have seen the fun those incredible teachers came up with! Oh! look, you can, watch this video when you have a moment:
🔩🚿 Also, I had this idea to replace both handwashing stations… and add a 3rd one - because people really like washing hands. I had the students help (ha!) I think I only took 4 trips to the hardware store but ONLY because I ordered half the parts online (which otherwise would have added another several trips).
Who knew plumbing was so much fun? It feels like playing with Tinker Toys - only they are copper and PVC pipes - and they are from Ace Hardware and Home Depot.
🌟 Giving Tuesday Sneak Peek!
Giving Tuesday is coming up — December 2nd — and I’ll be sharing more soon. There are always so many meaningful ways to support us.
Here’s a little preview of what we’re working on:
🐶 Sadie Needs Surgery
Our sweet black puppy, Sadie, needs a $5,000 surgery at the University of Florida. She has a large growth in her ear that we had surgically removed this summer, but it came back, and bigger. UF is telling us to do a full TECA procedure so she can be comfortable. Read more about this on our giving page here: chra.us/give
🐴 Supporting Scholarships, Animal Care & Ranch Improvements
We’re always raising support to continue offering scholarships, providing top-notch care for our animals, and making property improvements that keep us safe, welcoming and able to make a difference.
❤️ Want to help?
Amazing — here’s the link:
👉 chra.us/give
There is always so much to share with you! Just 2 more things for today:
Why is Kiwi our KuneKune pig from New Zealand so cute? I think there are a thousand reasons - but one is that she flops over and wants to be petted, and it is usually irresistible.
Please tell your friends and family to join us for a Family Visit or a Birthday Party! Our weekly fall classes are full, but we LOVE seeing members of our community learn more about our animals.
Thank You! 🐴✨
Thank you for being part of the Cheyne Ranch community!
🐴 CHEYNE RANCH, INC. 🌟
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
📬 1963 Genova Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765
📞 Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | 📧 Email | 🌐 Website | 📘 Facebook | 📸 Instagram
💙 Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our Mission:
To teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, accessible community where individuals of all abilities build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop essential life skills.
