Cheam Stables

The Star of Bethlehem, while historically thought of as a sign of the close proximity of the Christ child, Duke, taking advantage of its location high in the sky, has appropriated its beams of light as personal scratching devices thus rendering the tail of the star somewhat tipped North of the babe’s actual location. Completely unaware of the confusion this may have created the original wiseman, Duke is quite content to be part of Cheam Stable’s manger scene. Trusting all will be able to find peace in whatever scene you find yourself in today. It’s not about the star, it’s about the Christ child and His message of hope, joy, and love in a world full of anxiety, despair, and hate.

What does this have to do with horses? Well not much, except there was this little kid at my stable who grew up to do some very meaningful work. Congratulations Nadia Formigoni!

Just a little reminder . . . .

Let the stable be a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life’s priorities are clear. When you step back, it’s not just about horses - it is about love, life, and learning. #cheamstables

When a pandemic makes your world seem so confusing, it’s good to know there are friends you can still hug tightly. #cheamstables #autismawareness #blessed

Stable schooling during COVID. I’m more interested in arousing enthusiasm in kids than in teaching the facts. The facts may change, but that enthusiasm for exploring the world will remain with them the rest of their lives.~ Seymour Simon

Ponies of Cheam Stables. Episode 1 Meet Duke with your hostess, Brooklyn. #cheamstables #autismawareness #autismbc

Who needs a fancy studio?

"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said" --Peter Drucker #cheamstables

Family Photos in the great outdoors!

Kid: Hey, look, I am riding into the sunset. Me: That’s so cliche Kid: Yeah, I love cliches . . . even more than video games.

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. Abigail Van Buren

We must teach our children to dream with their eyes wide open. Harry Edwards.

Just Mark Fletcher’s introduction to his equine bodywork seminar was enough to relax this pony. Thank you, Mark, for a great day and for all the caring participants who gave the lesson ponies release. Looking forward to tomorrow!

At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair is messy and your eyes sparkling. Shanti

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children... do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

One cannot imagine the excitement here as these three large horses travelled two days from Saskatchewan to get to their new home at Cheam Stables. Welcome Eli (Mustang), Cody (QH), and Duke (Clydsdale)! They are true beauties, inside and out, created for companionship and so much more. Thank you to Mark Fletcher for making this all possible. All the kids, Mom’s, volunteers, and staff are in love! ... And special thanks to Eastwind Horse Transport for taking special care of these guys in transport through some pretty adverse weather conditions. PS. We are currently looking for saddles with wide gullets and full or large bars.

Congratulations Jaime Lee Fischer! Your hard work and dedication to the profession has always shone in whatever venue you trained, but so nice to have such a beautiful place for those long cold & rainy days.

What is your horse trying to tell you? Cinchy, sour, unwilling to move forward? What are the effects of accumulated stress? What if you could help? Come October 23 & 24 to learn an integrated blend of techniques combining principles of Fascia Release, Equine Touch, Message, & More. Equine bodywork is increasingly recognized as the "missing link" in horsemanship. Mark Fletcher will share his 20 years of practice and study, so you have the knowledge and skill to conduct som...e of the most fundamental techniques of equine bodywork. Easy to learn, Effective, Hands-on . . . see the results! Contact us for more information.

We need more doctors like this!

There are moments that mark a child’s life. Moments when they realize nothing will ever be the same. Their life is divided into two parts - before they spent time with a horse and after they spent time with a horse. It’s a journey that begins with that one special equine partner and simply never ends.

When people say it’s just a horse they just don’t understand. So long, Steve, and safe journey back to Timberline Ranch. Who’d ever guess that a 23 year old pack horse would be so loved, cherished, and bring so much joy.

Kids who ride in the pouring rain have a different kind of shine . . . The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come. J. Riley

Kid: Ms. Tamiko, Is this heaven? Me: No, it’s It's Iowa. Kid: Iowa? Huh? Me: Oh, just a line from a movie. Actually, it’s Elk Mountain . . . but it’s still place where dreams come true . . . ... Great week at Cheam Stable’s Watergate Ranch. So many good memories. Kids, teens, and adults enjoyed their friendships and their partnership with horses. Horses enjoyed just being horses. All who came to ride, relax, hike or camp were both moved and renewed by the beauty of God’s creation. Thanks to all who made this possible, but especially The Martini Family of Starline Windows and real estate agent, Don Munro. #watergateranch #autismbc #cheamstables #starlinewindows #downunderhorsemanship

Those who know horses understand that a horse will reflect exactly what you need to learn about yourself. Are you brave enough to ask? Strong enough to listen? And humble enough to learn. Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4-5

When your sister’s riding lesson is longer than yours and ya just have to wait . . . well, Bane is there to help ease the pain. What would we do without our barn berners?

Cheam Stable's Watergate Ranch on Elk Mountain . . . a great place where kids can be kids and horses be horses.

A great week on Cheam Stable’s new horse trails at the Watergate Ranch on Elk Mountain. Thanks to Jillian, Bailey, Laura, Meghan, and Arthur for their work as trail helpers, bush wackers, and memory-makers. Many more kms of trails to be cleared for August!

After years of dreaming to be able to do this with our lesson kids, we are finally here! I am exhausted yet can hardly sleep. The horses and ponies all loaded beautifully for the 10 minute drive up Elk Mountain - four trailer loads! We set them free to get the feel for the place, they ran like the wind, but all were caught in less than 10 minutes. The kids & ponies hit the trails and not one had a problem! Some pretty steep climbs and decents, as well as a fair share of mosquitoes, didn’t distract ponies from their job. Finally, I even allowed some to canter the field & fence line! Moving the cattle is next in the list. Greatful for all those who helped make this happen, especially my husband and kids who helped prepare the trails.

What of God’s creatures is better gifted to connect us with Heaven and our own footsteps? Photo by Hannah Henshall

Time to head to the corner store for freezies and carrots. This head-turning convoy were alert, cautious and followed all traffic rules. Never be afraid to try something new because life gets boring when you stay within the limits of what you already know.

Of all the ponies, you chose Java as your own. She was not the best pony, sometimes even a naughty pony. You were determined she was to be your pony, if not on paper, by everything else that really matters. Just last month, like as the month before, you cried in frustration as you tried to get the perfect trot, and then the perfect canter - on the right lead, in a circle, not breaking gait. Your tear stained saddle was evidence of the struggle, yet a spark of hope always re...mained. Then something happened - all that investment in determination paid its dividends. The substance of your faith can be seen by all who didn’t believe you could do it. Your success, child, will imprint your soul and fuel the fire of what ever next you set your mind to do. Congratulations Bella! May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. ~ Psalm 20:4

It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. Ann Landers

We are cloud chasers, Eagle trackers, stream stomping, Forest folk. We are wind talkers, Meadow dancers, cliff gazers,... Campfire coffee drinking sunrise greeters. We love a saddle squeek, A nicker neigh, a mane toss. A saucy tail flag and a snort. Ears perked forward, moving out, Clip of hoof clops in your head. Feel the rein, foot in stirrup Oh the sway sway of a slow lope. TRUST, FREEDOM. JOY. So many moments, so many miles, So many trails, so many smiles. Just you, and some very special friends.

Life is often about trajectories. When you are 5 years old and autism makes your world a very confusing place, BUT you can confidently head out in the field, halter a pony, hold on safely, lead her home, and start to care for her needs . . . well, child, you are on the right path of making sense of so much more.

In every little cowgirl’s life, there is that moment, when she touches her first horse and the course of her life is forever changed.(Wildflower Cowgirl) Cheam Stables welcomes Thunder to our herd. Thank you Michelle Vander Viis and Emily for this wonderful little guy.

We have all forgotten how strange a thing it is that so huge and powerful and intelligent an animal as a horse should allow another, and far more feeble animal, ride upon its back. Peter Gray, Horse Trainer

It’s Sunday . . . your day off! No, the kids are not coming for lessons so please don’t give me that look. Java, Magjc, Ginger and Prim were all to happy to get back into the routine of being pampered, ridden, and given treats this week. Of course, so we’re the kids!

We’re back. It’ll be a week of excitement for so many students eager to return. Groomings, treats, rides, a virtual show, and even a leg injury made life seem almost normal - - and that’s exactly what these kids needed when so much of their world seemed out of sync. I want to thank each and every one of you who helped keep our doors open. We have had generous financial help from people we have never met, support from suppliers, hay and feed dropped off, and a encouraging num...ber of donations to a GoFundMe set up by TNT hay sales. We have also had time to rethink strategy should there be a second wave. Cheam Stables has had two wonderful volunteer helpers, Vivian Padula and Connie L Nisbet, that have given me the gift of time to work with the horses and ponies, keeping them fit and safe to return. Their presence was a humbling reminder of how much we need community in a crisis like this, and how much I should give of myself when tragedy strikes others. We all have needs, and each of us has something to give. This week will continue to be an emotional reunion for all of the Cheam Stables families and their equine friends. Almost 3 months is a lifetime when you’re a kid, and almost as long if you’re a parent of the kid! Weeping my tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Ps 30:5

Love youth, innovation, fundraising, and clothes that tell a story. Great job girls!

When mom tells you that Phase 2 means you get to ride your favourite pony . . . .

An well-done article in the Globe an Mail, highlighting the plight of many lesson barns who have slipped between government funding cracks. We are truly grateful for the private individuals who have come forward to support the working horses of Cheam Stables during this time. "The equine sector will need continuing support to recover from the damage done in recent months. It will take everyone a long time to get back to normal, she said. One stable owner has already sold ...or given away nine horses and ponies, and the family-owned business is looking to sell another dozen as soon as possible. The man, who is not being identified because of privacy concerns and fears of repercussions for his business, said he intends to euthanize five or six older horses in the coming days a fate that was always on the horizon, only now it’s coming sooner. He plans to put them down as a group, because it is cheaper that way.' You may have to sign in to read the article but both article and video at the end are well worth it. https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-unstable-in-a-pa/

Chilliwack and area equine friends, please keep watch and SHARE this post. Look out for your neighbours, and please report anything suspicious.

Seven years ago Cheam Stables hosted our Ride for Ethan to help the Fleming family with their expenses in his two year battle with Osteosarcoma (during which he lost his leg). 2020 brought on another type of cancer, Myelodysplastic syndrome. Ethan and his family are once again fighting and need our help. Due to COVID19 restrictions, we have been unable to host another event, but here’s an opportunity to look forward to . . . a contest! 1) Go to Ethans Go Fund Me page... https://www.gofundme.com/f/gdx4z-the-fleming-family 2) Donate ANY amount 3) Comment below done. Your name will be entered in a draw for your child to win our first riding lesson when we are back in business. Bonus Share this post on your page publicly and, if you win, we’ll throw in another pony lesson for a friend.

Encouragement. I know it can help gain a child’s confidence to move forward. It’s a prompt to reaffirm something that is good or an action that would benefit if repeated. The power of encouragement, by supportive words or actions, can help a child emerge from a very dark place. That’s only part of what happens here at Cheam Stables. I learned this week, that encouragement helps the encourager too. I felt alone. I missed my kids. I worried about how I would pay my (...Continue reading

Double T Ranch on Sask phased opening . . . Having them group what we do in with soccer, softball and other recreational sports. Here’s the difference... most sports equipment can be stored until its time to open, but in the equine world, there are live animals hanging in the midst. We can’t just keep our equipment in the shed until the world opens again.... Even more difficult for us specifically is the closure of our EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) programming. We support at risk youth, recovering addicts, people struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression & PTSD. All of these people are now without one of the most unique and effective support programs they have in their life. Please support the equine industry in SK in any way you can, share your voice... waiting until phase 4 or 5 is just too long for sports and programming with some of the best physical distancing (have you seen the size of a horse?) and impacting so many lives - both humans and horses!

Cheam Stables made the news (link below to Global News story)! Of course, this was not just the plight of Cheam stables I was sharing, but many therapeutic centres across the country and the clients they serve. Some have been asking what you can do to help. First of all, I suggest you seek out a struggling centre providing service in your area and ask them of their needs. Even though they didn’t make the evening news, I am sure they are hurting too. If you would still like ...to help, our hay supplier was kind enough to set up a Go Fund Me last week. Hay is our biggest expense. You can feel free to pitch in this way (link below). We have felt overwhelmed with gratitude over the community support through words of encouragement, prayers, volunteer work, and donations. Thank you. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-cheam-stables

When all this is over, the world will need our horses more than ever. Although there was no science backing the psychology then, they have had this monumental roll throughout history. Before it was called therapy, so many worked side by side with our equine partners just getting through the struggles of the day. Farmers, townsfolk, First Nations, and children all had access to their God-given gifts. Without understanding the horses’ psychological importance, their role diminishes in agriculture, in war, in transport, and in the family. Urbanization removed them as commonplace. Once again, however, we recognize their importance to the mental health of so many, whether they are a toddler, schoolchild, teen, adult, or senior. So the next time someone suggests they are not an essential service for some, consider sharing this article.

Every day, my staff are out there. I sometimes feel I am just there to help them get their job done. They are well trained and most have been with me for many years. Their intuition, however, is their most valuable asset. On most days of the week you can see my staff working with children. They are especial fond of their clients with autism. You see, my staff are a carefully selected group with characteristics similar to those of a child with PTSD, attachment disorder, and g...eneral anxiety. They understand totally and feel less threatened by the presence of clients who understand them. In that environment, both grow strong. They are a multi-talented crew. Their help with a wide variety of mental health issues is a lifeline for some in a day and age of medications, psychologists, and addictions. Their work is magical and without a question, they will listened to the deepest yearning of the human heart. They can do quiet walks or give you wings to soar. They will dry your tears and make you laugh. They will stand with you for hours and you will feel their healing presence. Their success is so widely known, that schools and government organizations are lining up to secure their services for children and adults whose struggle is real. For clients who are not covered by funding organizations, they are still there - no questions asked. These incredible staff members are always ready for work, and their skill set improves with each and every year. They become irreplaceable members of a team. Parents call them the miracle workers, yet they remain humble and somewhat stoic. During this crisis, many workers have slipped through the cracks of the government aid packages. Many businesses do too. After hours of looking through aid packages and following up with calls, there is really nothing out there yet. While some workers, if kept working by their employer, are subsidized by 75%, mine qualify for nothing. Still, I feel have no choice to keep them on and somehow keep paying them. Losing them would be tragic not only to me personally, but to the clients they have served for years. There has to be an argument made for a form of compensation that fairly reflects our equine partner’s status as staff who just earn a different form of currency. These dedicated equine employees stand to lose their guaranteed housing, food, and medical and dental insurance if not somehow funded or put back to work. Equine Canada, HCBC, other provincial representative organizations, therapeutic centres, and lesson barns across Canada have to start representing their employees better. It is a collective and individual responsibility. They are not agricultural products but highly skilled horses dedicated to helping and growing our equine service industry will be lost in the downturn . . . and we will be nothing without our staff. Tamiko Charlton, Cheam Stables

The ponies aren’t the only ones confused about the absence of the children. They wait . . . all day . . . every day.

The extension of power offered by a pony, the ease and speed of movement, the tapping of unsuspected courage, the satisfaction of collaboration with another creature and of controlling it in order to improve the collaboration, the joy of fussing over it - of loving it - these, from the age of about eight to sixteen were the most completely realised delights of my life. Diana Athill

Not alone. Trying to find time for creative solutions while caring for and exercising a string of lesson horses is a huge task for so many lesson barns and therapeutic riding stables. We are in survival mode, or worse.

Fire, Patience, Prim, and Amigo are learning sometimes life just isn’t fair.

I can express how difficult this is to post. I don’t want to dig up more hurt than people are feeling already. I don’t want to push for argument and controversy. I want a positive solution. The weather is beautiful, grass is growing, horses all given tune ups over the winter break - - but Cheam Stables is quiet. No lessons, no school programs, no children, a few youth, but not much of anything. A handful of owners/leasors come ride and care for their horses each day, and...Continue reading

Hey folks, after this week we know it’s that time of year. Put those blankets away clean!

Keeping the distance!

Just in case you are spatially challenged . . .

Quiet times at Cheam Stables. Wonder if the ponies think there is something up. No children. No laughter. No trail rides. No carrots. No apples. It’s somewhat eerie. Hoping that all this craziness will end soon.

Yes, we are in a pandemic. Yes, we are isolation. But let’s not forget what we can do from the comfort of our own home.

Kaila . . . after helping so many of our horses feel relief from pain, after sharing her struggle of depression so we all might know the face of what plagues so many . . . we finally have a chance to make help her out. VOTE Kaila, you manifest this quote daily in the work you do and most definitely in your sport. May it encourage you and others to shine in our happiness and even in our darkest times. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is tha...t we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Marianne Williamson See more

Happy birthday to a brave young fella who always thinks up new things to do on pony. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. Albert Einstein

Love to se the rationale behind this decision, but rules are rules and it’s good to be informed.

It is no myth that your horse has the power to be one with you or kill you. It’s never a waste of time or money to work on your relationship.

Happy 29th Birthday, Patience. Still one of the spunkiest horses in the barn, and still loving on kids every day.

Anything great that has ever been accomplished, was seen at the time as ‘unrealistic’. Whether it’s flying a plane, creating the light bulb, becoming valedictorian, coming up with a cure for a disease, nothing special is realistic. It’s always born from a new way of thinking. When we settle for realistic, we often settle to be average. Kids have greatness inside of them - let it shine.

So much help today! Love this homeschooled crew who mucked stalls, did a training session with a pony, dewormed 6 horses, cleaned saddles, prepared pony lunches, mixed feeds, swept up and (after two hours), still wanted to do more!

Mountain trail at Debbie Hughs is a valuable experience for any horse and rider team.

Was a busy day at Cheam Stables. Grateful for the teen who came to help with chores. The girls moved mountains of snow drifts to clear doorways to the paddocks meanwhile made sure all the horses got out to play while stalls were cleaned and nets were filled.