Our STORY

In July 2016, we traded our lovely suburban subdivision home and purchased our 1985-built home located on 5 acres in idyllic Oviedo, FL. At the time, our 4 children were all in elementary school and we wanted the momentum of their nature exploring, animal loving and outdoor adventuring spirits to remain strong as they grew up.

My husband and I dreamed up, designed and planned our barn in 2017. We acted as the owner / contractors for the county permits and hired subcontractors (local individuals and small businesses) to complete specific tasks. The barn’s original purpose was as a boarding facility for retired, injured or recovering horses. The “business” was more of a hobby, a business plan that justified our passion to spend more time caring for horses. We quickly found being with the horses and caring for them to be something we loved doing together and also sharing with family & friends. Soon enough, we discovered the joy when we shared our animals with other members of our community, specifically special needs adults and children. By the end of our 2nd year as a boarding facility, we phased out our boarding client’s horses and (gradually) adopted our own herd of horses, all with stories and special needs of their own!

Each month, we welcome approximately 75 families to our ranch in individual and group sessions sessions to share in the delight of meeting the animals, learning about them and helping us care for them. Over 60 hours each month are dedicated to special needs communities and families, where community members are working toward defined goals, all while surrounded by animals and the endless opportunities to love and learn from them.

Sally Ann Cheyne

I’m the lucky one who turned my passion and hobby into this incredible growing experience where we teach animal care and connection to members of our community.

My 4 kids are the inspiration and motivation for everything I do. They are all close together in age, so currently in 2023, their ages are 14, 15, 17 & 17. The kids are homeschooled and all 4 are well known and well loved within our Cheyne Ranch community.

My professional experience includes 18 years as a medical software analyst and adult educator (2001 - 2019). I hold a BA from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Management & Human Relations, and I received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 2001 after serving 4 years as a linguist. My first job in high school was as a piano teacher. I love to learn, I love to work and I love to teach.

My Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) training includes Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), as well as Equine Connections in Gilbert, AZ. I am certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH, Intl.