Every person鈥揳nd horse鈥揹eserves a second chance.
is a well-known place of hope for horses in the Sea to Sky region. But what does it take to save a neglected or traumatized horse?
鈥淚鈥檝e been a horse lover and an animal lover since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,鈥� Kris Latham, the president of SCCR whose lifelong passion for animals has driven her work. 鈥淚鈥檝e been helping animals in need of homes from a very young age. Once I was able to acquire this ranch鈥擟heekye Ranch鈥攊t became a necessity. Through the grapevine, I connected with some amazing rescues who highlighted the need for more help to get animals out of the slaughter pipeline. And that鈥檚 how it all began.鈥�
Latham鈥檚 early love for animals is grounded in vivid memories.
鈥淕rowing up all over the world, I was exposed to a lot of animals,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ne memory that stands out is from when I was in South America. I was sitting in a park where a herder had left a herd of donkeys to graze. I was only seven years old and thought they鈥檇 been abandoned. I told my mom we needed to take them all home.鈥�
The reality of auctions and horse slaughter
While many of the horses at SCCR come from neglectful or challenging circumstances, some are rescued directly from auctions.
These auctions often serve as a grim crossroads for unwanted animals.
鈥淐anada has meat buyers at auctions because horse slaughter is legal here,鈥� Latham explained. 鈥淚t blows my mind. Horses鈥攁nd all animals鈥攁re sentient beings. They feel, they think, they project emotions. They鈥檙e everything we are.鈥�
According to the , approximately 50,000 horses are slaughtered annually in Canada, with most of the meat exported to countries like Japan, France, and Belgium. Horses sold at auctions often fetch $0.30 to $0.60 per pound, making them a target for meat buyers seeking to fill quotas.
At these auctions, if a horse isn鈥檛 purchased privately, they face a bleak future. 鈥淭he meat buyers step in,鈥� Latham said.
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 discriminate鈥攚hether it鈥檚 a 28-year-old horse that should have been humanely euthanized at home to avoid stress, or a baby less than a year old. They just buy as many horses as they can, fill up their trucks, and send them to feedlots before slaughter. It鈥檚 heartbreaking.鈥�
The journey from trauma to trust
Every horse arriving at Cheekye Ranch has a story, but many share common threads of neglect, abandonment, or trauma.
Latham described the overwhelming stress some horses face, even before arriving at the ranch.
鈥淭railering can be extremely traumatizing, especially for those who haven鈥檛 experienced it before,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen they arrive, we let them decompress. We don鈥檛 force interaction鈥攚e let them adjust on their own terms.鈥�
The process is slow and deliberate, built on respect for the animal鈥檚 boundaries.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about trust,鈥� Latham said. 鈥淵ou start with something simple, like letting them smell your hand and then walking away. It鈥檚 their choice to come to you, and that鈥檚 where the healing begins.鈥�
One of the most memorable rescues at SCCR involved 18 stud colts from the Pemberton herd.
The horses were saved from slaughter, but one stood out to Latham as an extraordinary case.
鈥淗e was an anomaly because I was able to build trust with him in a way I hadn鈥檛 experienced before,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 could groom him and interact with him freely鈥攚ithout using a halter, lead rope, or any attachment. We call this working at liberty, meaning it was entirely his choice to engage with me.鈥�
It took Latham a full year to place a halter on him, and she remembered the moment with mixed emotions.
鈥淚 cried when it happened. It鈥檚 a bittersweet moment鈥攐n one hand, it felt like I was breaking his spirit as a wild animal by 鈥榗atching鈥� him. But on the other hand, it鈥檚 a necessary step. Without a halter, it鈥檚 impossible to ensure his safety in emergencies, whether for a vet or farrier visit. It鈥檚 like putting a collar on a dog鈥攊t鈥檚 not ideal, but it鈥檚 essential for their well-being.鈥�
Finding the right homes
For horses ready to leave SCCR, rehoming is a thorough and thoughtful process.
鈥淲e have a strict policy,鈥� Latham said. 鈥淣ot everyone who loves horses is equipped to handle them. It鈥檚 a lifelong commitment, and we鈥檙e very open about each horse鈥檚 quirks and needs to ensure a good match.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 like applying to NASA without the qualifications,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need adopters who understand what they鈥檙e taking on.鈥�
If things don鈥檛 work out, the ranch has a safety net鈥攅very adoption contract includes a clause requiring the horse to return to SCCR if things do not work out.
The realities of running a rescue
Behind the scenes, SCCR faces ongoing challenges that are as much about people as they are about horses.
鈥淲e need qualified trainers and volunteers, and that鈥檚 not always easy to find,鈥� Latham said. 鈥淭raining takes experience, and not everyone has the time or background needed for this kind of work.鈥�
Funding is another significant hurdle. As a nonprofit, SCCR relies heavily on donations to cover costs such as feed, medical care, and farrier services.
鈥淲hen you bring in professional trainers to work with the horses, that costs money too,鈥� Latham added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a constant balancing act.鈥�
A need for education
According to Latham, many of the problems SCCR addresses could be alleviated with better education for horse owners.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 always think about what happens to their animals if they can鈥檛 care for them anymore,鈥� she said. 鈥淒o they have a plan? Is their horse provided for in case of an emergency? These are questions every owner should consider.鈥�
While SCCR鈥檚 work is challenging, it鈥檚 also deeply rewarding鈥攆or both the animals and the humans who interact with them.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something peaceful about spending time with the horses,鈥� Latham said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about helping them鈥攊t鈥檚 about finding a sense of calm and connection in their presence.鈥�
For those who want to learn more or support the ranch, Latham encourages community members to visit, volunteer, or engage with the ranch鈥檚 educational resources.
For more information, visit .
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The 小蓝视频鈥檚 Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the .
