Featured in Seminole County Magazine!
This is awesome! We are featured in the @doorlandonorth Seminole County Tourism blog! And the post is right next to the The Artistic Hand Gallery & Studio owned by Del Seaman , that place is so lovely. Oviedo is the best community
Introducing PALS
Since opening Cheyne Ranch to visitors, the goal has been to offer a place where people of any age, any level of physical, mental and emotional ability, and any level of comfort or experience with animals can spend time here learning and growing in positive, meaningful ways.
It turns out there is an entire burgeoning professional field dedicated to this exact concept! It is called Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) or more broadly, Animal Assisted Activities (AAA). There are a few professional organizations widely recognized for offering certification in this field, and two have granted me admittance to their certification tracks, PATH, intl and The Herd Institute. Both of these certifications should be complete by early next year.
In addition to the professional certifications, I dove deep and found a coach, mentors, read every book and article I could find, joined professional forums, watched videos and put into practice what I was learning in real-time with the willing, kind families who walked this early experiment with me. I brought in knowledge from my college degree in Human Relations, experience from my 18-year career as a medical software analyst & instructor and even my 6-year experience as a homeschooling mom to the Cheyne kids. Combining my life’s work of solving problems in order to teach and motivate others along with my passion for sharing the gift of these animals leads to this ideal service offering.
Finally, I am so excited to offer a Cheyne Ranch pilot program called PALS this fall. PALS is Personalized Animal Learning Sessions and its purpose is to take the well documented benefits of being in the presence of animals – and put some level of structure to that time by working toward specific learning goals. The learning goals primarily fall into 2 categories: 1) life skills or 2) primary education skills. I would love to talk to you more about how we can work toward the learning goal in a straightforward or “sideways” approach. Please join the interest list if you would like to learn more about this service. It has taken me years to arrive here and I can’t wait to start this new chapter of learning with you.
Fall 2021 Programs!
It's almost back to school time here in Seminole County! We are thrilled to wrap up another great summer of summer programs and we are excited about the fall programs! Please check out our website to learn more about how you can be part of our little animal community.
We have great news!! This fall we are offering PALS, which is a personalized animal learning session, and they are an awesome and productive way to spend 1:1 quality time with animals! You can read more about that here:
We also have 3! different nature club meeting times, as well as a few slots for beginner horseback riding lessons w/ Alyssa and of course the best way to spend time with your family is a Family Visit:
To sign up on our interest list, please visit:
We can't wait to see you all soon!
Moving away is hard
I thought I was starting the Cheyne Ranch business for my kids and myself so I could work in my own backyard and share the animals that I love. I had no idea how many people would bring their friendship, kindness and love to us along the way. One of the families that brings us so much joy to us is moving to Michigan today. I'm so happy for them and their new adventure, but so sad for how much we will miss them.
Olympics! and Flicka
3 of my kids and I just watched a super corny / sweet / predictable / typical rated G horse movie. This was a direct DVD release in 2012, Flicka, Country Pride. It stars Clint Black and his wife in real life, which was enough to get me to watch it. The interesting thing about this movie is it walks us through what 3-day eventing (sort of more or less) looks like. Which is relevant because of the upcoming Olympics!! At the end of July, the Tokyo Olympics will feature the US Equestrian team competing against other countries in jumping, dressage and eventing. Confusingly, eventing itself is actually comprised of its own 3 events, which is dressage, cross-country and jumping. Read more about it here:
https://www.nbcolympics.com/.../equestrian-101...
and
https://www.usef.org/events/olympic-games
One thing that is so encouraging about the world of horses is that it can be a lifetime sport for both men and women. Representing Team USA this year is a 53 year old!! as well as a 40 year old!
I can't wait to watch the Olympics later this month.
Zanina is here!
Zanina has arrived! This big beautiful gentle Warmblood mare was with us during all of 2018 when we were a boarding barn, and she is back now to be part of our therapy and education programs!
She is 12 years old and she is around 18 hands high. She looks like a white horse, but we actually call white horses Grey's because her skin is black and her coat is white.
She is owned by Lorena at LK Equestrian and we are just thrilled to have her here and for you all to learn from and love on her soon!
Celebrating Lujen!
February is big love celebration month at Cheyne Ranch. It all starts with Lujen! His 22nd birthday and his 2nd anniversary of living at Cheyne Ranch both happen this month! We Love you Lujen!
