Our Next Step: A Dedicated Riding Arena
As of Wednesday, April 8th - we have raised $2,100! Thank you! Let’s keep the momentum coming!
At Cheyne Ranch, everything we do starts with safety.
As our program grows, we are seeing more students, more lessons, and more opportunities for connection and confidence. It is exactly what we have been working toward.
With that growth, it is time to take the next step.
We are ready to build a dedicated riding arena designed specifically for our students.
Why This Matters
Our current riding space has worked for us, but it was never designed for the structure and consistency our program now needs.
A dedicated arena will allow us to:
Create a consistent and predictable environment for our riders
Support students who benefit from routine and clear boundaries
Provide a space built specifically for learning and safety
This is about continuing to offer the kind of experience our students rely on every day.
This shows where the new arena will be located on the property.
What We’re Building
We are starting with the first step, which is building the perimeter fencing of the arena.
Our goal is to raise $4,000.
This will cover:
$2,000 for materials
$2,000 for installation
We will add footing and make additional improvements later. This first phase allows us to begin using the space.
How You Can Help
If you have seen the impact of this work, or believe in creating spaces where individuals can grow with confidence, we would love for you to be part of this next step.
If possible, please include “Arena Project” in your donation note so we can track progress.
Thank you for being part of this community. It truly makes this work possible.
-Sally Ann Cheyne
Founder & President
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: We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.
Meet Klare
On the way home from picking her up in South Florida, we stopped at Wawa—one of the joys of my life.
A woman who I later learned is named Jacque, noticed Klare in the trailer. It was her 50th birthday, and she asked if she could come say hello. She stood there for a few minutes just taking Klare in, smiling, asking questions, clearly happy to have stumbled into that moment. Before she left, she pressed a small donation into my hand and insisted I take it.
It was kind, but what stayed with me was how much joy Klare brought her in just a few minutes, standing there in a parking lot.
Klare arrived home that night, Sunday, March 8th, and I have not stopped smiling since.
Her name is Klare, short for Klarenchidé DN, a nod to her Dutch breeding. She is a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare with a small star on her face, a big heart, and a story that we feel incredibly lucky to now be part of.
Klare was born in the Netherlands in April 2015, bred from world-class jumping bloodlines—her background is a little bit rock star, a little bit royalty. She spent the last few years in Southwest Ranches, Florida with an adult amateur dressage rider, Tai Lewis, under the care of our friend Lorena Kaelber. On Sunday, Anna and I made the drive down to bring her home that night.
In December 2024, Klare pulled a shoe and injured her front right foot. After six months of careful recovery, it became clear that returning to her previous work was not going to be possible. Tai was faced with the kind of decision that only the most devoted horse owners ever have to make—letting go of a horse you love because you want what is best for her.
She chose Klare’s future over her own attachment, and we feel incredibly lucky to be the ones she trusted with that decision.
That path is what brought Klare here.
She is loving, curious, and gentle in the way she approaches things. But what stands out most to me is how calm and present she is, and how quickly she has settled in with our herd and our students.
She is still figuring out the rest of the farm.
The goats got a cautious side-eye at first, and then she seemed to decide they were acceptable.
Kiwi, our pig, has been more of an ongoing situation. After spending her first week unsure about her, Klare has now decided she would really prefer Kiwi keep her distance—despite Kiwi continuing to show up like, “let’s be friends… but also I’m in charge.”
The chickens, on the other hand, have been easy. She seems to have decided they are not worth the effort.
But more than anything, she loves people. That is my favorite part.
Here she is as a filly
Watch Klare as a filly
We are so grateful to Tai for trusting us with her.
Klare is not retired. She is just beginning something new, and I cannot wait to see who she becomes here.
Welcome home, Klare. We are so glad you’re here.
CHEYNE RANCH, INC.
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our mission: We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.
All about Edward
The Long Road to Cheyne Ranch: Edward’s Story
In January 2021, ten horses were removed from a property in Clinton, Mississippi due to neglect. The surviving horses were taken in by Mississippi Horse Rescue, where they began rehabilitation and rehoming. They became known as the Clinton 10.
One of those horses was a small sorrel stallion with a wide blaze. He arrived underweight, still intact, and with an irregular movement in his hind legs, attributed at the time to stringhalt related to nutritional deficiency. His age was originally estimated between six and ten years old. More recently, both a veterinarian and equine dentist have confirmed he is approximately 15 years old. He had little experience with consistent handling.
He was named Edward.
Recovery
Edward remained in the care of Mississippi Horse Rescue, under the direction of Patricia, where he spent the next year and a half rebuilding his health. Refeeding a starved horse requires a slow, careful approach, and his progress came through steady routines, veterinary support, and time.
He was gelded later than is typical, likely between seven and ten years old. As a result, his build reflects a more mature stallion frame, with denser bone and a compact, sturdy structure. He stands at 13.3 hands and is currently maintained barefoot.
By mid-2022, Edward had improved physically, though he was still cautious with handling. He was sensitive to new people, reluctant to be haltered, and inconsistent with hoof care.
In July 2022, trainer Lynda Koch began working with him in coordination with Mississippi Horse Rescue. She focused on foundational skills such as haltering, hoof handling, and routine interaction. Over time, he became more predictable and easier to handle.
DNA
In early 2023, Edward’s DNA results showed a mix of Missouri Fox Trotter, Tennessee Walking Horse, and Rocky Mountain Horse, all gaited breeds known for smooth movement and steady temperaments.
Edward does not consistently gait and remains smaller than typical for those breeds. He continues to carry a slight hitch in his hind legs, which has remained stable and does not appear to affect his general comfort. His breeding is more evident in his disposition. He is generally calm, willing, and tolerant of different handlers.
Heart of the Horse
In late 2022, Edward was selected for the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge, a program pairing rescue horses with trainers to prepare them for competition and adoption.
He was first worked by Mercedes Kelly Sampsell, who began riding work and continued his groundwork. As part of the program, Edward was introduced to obstacle work, pattern riding, and busier environments.
In April 2023, Mercedes stepped away due to a knee injury, and Delaney Ware took over for the final 30 days before the competition. Edward adjusted and continued progressing.
He competed in the Heart of the Horse finals in May 2023 in horsemanship, trail, and freestyle classes. He completed all three and handled the environment well.
Throughout this process, he showed a consistent ability to adjust to new handlers and expectations.
The Winding Road
After the finals, Edward was adopted by a young rider in Mississippi. He later returned to Mississippi Horse Rescue and entered another training program, Plan 4 Progress, where he continued to be described as easy and willing.
He was later adopted again by a family in Mississippi who were already familiar with Cheyne Ranch through a previous horse they had donated. They felt Edward would be a good fit for the program and chose to send him here.
Edward at Cheyne Ranch
Edward recently arrived at Cheyne Ranch and is settling into a new environment. At 13.3 hands, he is one of the smaller horses in the herd, with a sturdy build and a quiet presence. His hind leg movement remains slightly irregular but consistent.
He is adjusting to new routines, people, and surroundings. Based on his history, he has shown the ability to adapt over time with steady handling.
Edward’s path has included extended rehabilitation, multiple trainers, a competitive training program, and several placements. Across each stage, he has remained consistent in temperament and willingness to engage.
He is here because many people, especially Mississippi Horse Rescue, took the time to invest in him. That consistency shows in the horse he is today.
So You Want to Ride — We Love That. Let's Talk.
So You Want to Ride Our Horses…
We get inquiries like this often, usually from people with some horse experience who would love to ride or exercise our horses.
We are glad you asked. Wanting to spend time with horses is where that connection begins.
Quick clarification first: if you're looking for riding lessons, we offer those and we'd love to have you if its a good fit - learn more here.
This post is specifically for currently enrolled students who want additional riding time, and for current Cheyne Ranch team members. If that's you, here's what it looks like.
The Non-Negotiables
To ride or work with our horses independently:
You must be an active, enrolled student here or a current Cheyne Ranch team member. No exceptions.
Rides happen at pre-arranged, pre-approved times during our open hours.
A Cheyne Ranch team member must be outside with you the entire time.
You won't be riding alone.
These expectations are in place because our horses matter and because we only offer this to riders we trust to handle that responsibility well.
Your Ride = The Whole Experience
When you ride here, you are responsible for the full process from start to finish.
This is not a situation where a horse is handed to you ready to go. Riding here means caring for the horse too.
You will be paired with the horse we feel is the best fit that day. Each horse is different, and we match thoughtfully.
That means:
Catching and haltering your horse
Grooming thoroughly, including picking feet
Tacking up correctly and safely
Double-checking the girth and helmet fit before mounting
Warming up your horse before getting into your ride
Riding with purpose, with our guidance
Cooling down properly
Untacking, rinsing if needed, and putting everything away properly
Cleaning up any mess your horse (or you!) made along the way
Returning your horse settled, comfortable, and cared for
This full process is the ride. It is an important part of becoming a true horseperson.
If you are willing to take all of this on, that says a lot about you.
What You're Cleared to Do
Riding here focuses on flatwork, and only within what you have been taught and approved for.
That may include:
Walk and trot, once you have shown you can do this safely
Ground poles, as directed
Cavalettis at the walk
The butterfly trail at a walk (especially up that hill!), accompanied by a Cheyne Ranch team member
If we have not talked about it and cleared it, the answer is no. This is about safety and setting you up for success.
What Earns Your Ride
1 hour of barn work = 1 ride session, per horse. If you ride two horses, plan on 2 hours of barn work that day.
Rides take place during daylight hours and in good weather only. Plan on being here at least 2 hours total each visit.
Saddle time is typically 30 minutes or less. That is plenty for our horses and part of how we keep them healthy, sound, and happy.
Barn work might include:
Cleaning stalls
Scrubbing water buckets
Sweeping
Moving hay / filling hay bags or hay boxes
Cleaning the tack room
Whatever the barn needs that day
This is not about paying for a ride. It is about learning responsibility, respect, and care for the animals that make all of this possible.
A note on hours:
Barn work hours do count as volunteer hours we can sign for
The ride itself, everything from catching your horse to putting them away, does not count as volunteer or paid work hours. That is the privilege
If This Still Feels Right to You
If you are reading this and still feel excited, that is a really good sign.
Show up consistently. Be willing to learn, take feedback, and help where needed.
If you do that, riding opportunities will come, and they will mean a lot more because you earned them.
That’s the goal.
CHEYNE RANCH, INC.
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our mission: We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.
13! Horses
It is March 2026, and Cheyne Ranch currently has 13 horses! That is a lot. :) But we are managing. I made a chart (because of course I did…)
Horses are listed in height order (tallest to shortest)…
2026 Baby chicks!
Each spring since we opened our barn, we have been thinking about chickens!! More specifically baby chicks, Here is a history:
In 2017, we took a “chicken keeping” class from our friend Tom at Sun Dew Gardens (they have since closed). We learned a lot!
In 2018 - we were given some full grown adult hens that were already laying to start our flock.
In 2019, we received some pullets (baby female chicks) from a friend
In 2020, we ordered from Meyer Hatchery
In 2021 - I don’t remember what we did? (maybe nothing?)
In 2022, we ordered from Meyer Hatchery
In 2023, we ordered from Meyer Hatchery, the only baby chicks available to us (there was an egg and baby chick shortage!) - 15 blue Orpingtons
In 2024, we hatched 15 of our own baby chicks + we ordered 15 baby chicks from Meyer Hatchery (for the 4th or 5th year).
In 2025, we purchased 10 buff Orpingtons from our local Tack Shack.
Now it’s 2026. Tack Shack is still a great option, but their chicks won’t arrive until April 20 this year, and we need ours a little earlier (Our speech therapist Julie is having a small group class on baby chicks!) So I’m back to ordering from Meyer Hatchery again. One of the things I really appreciate about Meyer is how easy their system makes it to choose female chicks. Since hens are the ones who lay eggs, that matters a lot — especially because flocks of hens typically tolerate only about one rooster for every fifteen hens, and extra roosters usually have to be rehomed. Many breeds can be “sexed” right after they hatch based on visible markings, like a black dot on an otherwise yellow fluffy head. Meyer allows you to choose the sex, the hatch date (we need ours in early April), and the breeds — which makes planning our flock much easier.
Here is what we chose this year for 2026…
2 Mottled Houdan (French hens) - UPDATE!! Meyer Hatchery called and asked if they could substitute this breed instead of the Mottled Houdan
10 assorted egg layers (we don’t know their exact breeds until they grow up a little!)
1 bonus baby chick to donate the eggs to the community
I LOVE this time of year! It is very exciting that the baby chicks arrive in the mail - from the US Postal Service! Read how this works at a handy blog post here. And watch a video from a previous year here.
I’ll keep you posted!
Community Service at Cheyne Ranch — Youth PAY Program 🤝
Hello! 👋
I'm Sally Ann Cheyne, and I run Cheyne Ranch — a nonprofit adaptive riding and equine therapy program in Oviedo serving about 100 students a week. We've been here since 2017, offering programs for students of all abilities — many with special needs. Our programs are full with a waitlist, our families are incredibly dedicated, and the culture here is something we've built carefully over many years. The people who are part of Cheyne Ranch — students, families, staff, and volunteers — believe in our mission and show up for each other. It's the thing we're most proud of. 💛
Recently, families have been reaching out about their kids completing community service hours here through the Seminole County PAY (Prosecution Alternatives for Youth) program. After meeting with our first youth through this program — and seeing what a great fit it can be — we've decided to open the door to a small number of these community service opportunities.
Before we schedule an introduction meeting, please read through this page.
First, please know…
☝️ Typically, volunteers at Cheyne Ranch start as students first — either paying or on scholarship — because the training and supervision required takes experienced staff. The fact that we're opening this door for youth in the PAY program without that step means we really believe in what this experience can do — and we want to make sure it's the right fit for everyone involved. 🤝
💪 Why We're Doing This
Because we believe — deeply — in the power of hard, meaningful, dirty, outside-in-all-weather work. Showing up to clean stalls and scrub water buckets can change something inside a kid. That's purpose.
🧹 What the Work Looks Like
Most of this work isn't glamorous. We're talking about cleaning stalls (lots of cleaning stalls), scrubbing and refilling water buckets, sweeping barn aisles, fence cleaning and property maintenance, hauling hay and feed, picking up manure — and whatever else needs doing that day.
Over time, and with training, there may be opportunities to get more involved with animal care — we love when that happens! But it starts with the basics. This is a working ranch, and the work that keeps it running is where every single one of us started (really - ask any of us). 🐴
🚫 What This Isn't
While we have amazing animals here, this service opportunity isn't about riding horses or playing with goats — it's about the hard work behind the scenes that keeps our animals healthy, safe, and cared for every single day. We've had families reach out hoping to fit hours into a tight timeline or a packed extracurricular schedule — and we totally get it. But if the schedule doesn't allow for consistent, committed participation, this probably isn't the right service opportunity.
👥 Capacity
We accept a maximum of two youths from the PAY program at a time to protect the quality of our programs and the experience of our existing students. We know your timeline matters — if we don't have availability when you need it, we'll let you know right away so you can find another service opportunity that works.
📋 The Process
The first step is an introduction meeting — I meet with the youth AND at least one parent so we can all get to know each other. We want to make sure this feels right for your family and for ours.
📅 The Schedule
Saturdays, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (primary)
Wednesdays, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (possibility)
Fridays, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (possibility)
Sundays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (possibility - 1 - 2x each month)
This community service opportunity is structured as an approximately six-week commitment. We are not able to accommodate short-term or last-minute hour requirements. The training and supervision involved require consistency and follow-through. Our animals rely on daily care, and our team depends on reliability.
🎒 What to Bring
Please review our full What to Wear & What to Bring page, but the essentials:
Closed-toe shoes (boots are great, sneakers are fine — no sandals, no crocs, no flip flops please)
Clothes that can get dirty (and they will 😅)
A refillable water bottle 💧
Snacks! We work hard outside in Florida. It is your responsibility to stay hydrated and fed.
👋 A Word to Parents
We love when families get involved — ask your kid how it's going, check out our website, follow us on social media. This is a working ranch that serves vulnerable populations, and your encouragement from home makes a real difference in how your kid shows up here.
This is a mutual arrangement. If it's not working — for any reason — we reserve the right to end the placement. Our students, animals, and team come first. We'll always communicate openly and respectfully, but that boundary is firm. 🛡️
🌱 What Your Kid Gets Out of This
If your kid shows up willing to work, willing to learn, and willing to be uncomfortable — here's what can happen:
They'll learn what it feels like to be needed. Our animals depend on us for their care every single day — and there's something powerful about being the person who shows up for them. It builds responsibility, confidence, and a sense of purpose that's hard to find anywhere else.
They'll be part of a team of kind, hardworking people who model what showing up with integrity looks like every single day.
And who knows? For the right kid, this could be the beginning of something bigger. We've seen it happen. ✨
Ready? 🐴
If you've read all of this and you're thinking, “Yes — this is exactly what my kid needs,” then let’s talk.
Want to see what we're all about? Check out our Best of Cheyne Ranch photo album. 📸
📧 info@cheyneranch.com · 📞 (407) 205-7744
Sally Ann Cheyne
Founder & President
CHEYNE RANCH, INC.
Teaching Animal Care & Connection
Located in Oviedo, FL
Call/Text: (407) 205-7744 | Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consider donating: chra.us/give
Our mission: We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.
When Staying in Your Lane Is the Work 🛤️
Cheyne Ranch and Organizational Neutrality
If you've spent time with me, you may know that I grew up deeply shaped by the values and culture of Alcoholics Anonymous. Not as someone in recovery myself, but as a child in a family where AA was a way of life. I attended more meetings than I can count. One of the things that stayed with me is the AA Preamble, read at the opening of every meeting:
…not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
That commitment is not weakness or indifference. For nearly ninety years, AA has navigated wars, political upheaval, and cultural change, including moments that demanded moral response. Throughout that time, that choice has been a discipline, not an absence of conviction.
I do not come to neutrality naturally. Keeping Cheyne Ranch out of public controversy is a deliberate choice, one I return to often. I think about that principle when I think about this work.
From time to time, volunteers or community members ask whether Cheyne Ranch can publicly support a political or religious cause that matters deeply to them. I understand why they ask. People care about the world and want the organizations they love to reflect what they care about.
But the discipline of neutrality exists for a reason.
The Work We Are Here to Do
Our mission is to teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community. Everything we do is aimed at helping individuals of all abilities build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and grow life skills they can carry with them.
That mission depends on trust and belonging. For families to feel safe here, they need to know this is a place focused on their child, not on political alignment. That includes families with different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. Maintaining that focus is part of how we live out our mission every day, and it shapes how we use, and do not use, our organizational voice.
Our Values Are Not Neutral
Cheyne Ranch is not neutral about human dignity. We believe every person has inherent worth and deserves safety, respect, and the opportunity to grow. We believe inclusion is not optional, and that accessibility and care are responsibilities, not favors.
These values guide how we treat students, families, volunteers, and animals. They shape our policies, our safety practices, and the way we respond when someone in our community is harmed or excluded. What we choose not to do is translate those values into public political positioning. We live them through our work rather than declaring them through statements.
Focus Is Not the Same as Silence
Some organizations are meant to speak directly to political conditions or policy decisions. Their mission requires it. Cheyne Ranch has a different role. Our responsibility is to provide a safe, steady, and effective program for students with disabilities and their families. Staying organizationally neutral allows us to keep our attention where it belongs.
Remaining neutral on political issues helps protect what makes this work possible. It protects access, because students come to us from families across the political spectrum and every child deserves to belong here. It protects trust, because our work requires collaboration and shared responsibility, and division undermines that. And it protects our longevity, because political moments pass and the need for adaptive riding and inclusive spaces does not.
What This Means in Practice
Cheyne Ranch does not take public positions on political issues or current events as an organization. Individuals are free to care deeply, to learn, to speak, and to advocate in their own lives.
When you are here at Cheyne Ranch, what unites us is not political agreement. It is our shared responsibility to students, families, animals, and one another.
If you are new here, welcome. Bring your care, your effort, and your commitment to students. Keeping this organization centered on its mission is one of the most meaningful ways we can serve.
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
Our mission:
We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.
Please donate and help us with our mission: chra.us/donate