Horsemanship & Therapy Programs
Equine Experiences at Cheekye Ranch
At Cheekye Ranch, we believe that horses have a profound ability to bring humans into a present state, fostering deep connections through energy, respect, and trust. Our approach to horsemanship is centered on mindful interaction, allowing participants to develop confidence, awareness, and harmony with these incredible animals.
Our programs
We offer horsemanship lessons and a range of therapeutic experiences, led by certified coaches who are dedicated to helping individuals build meaningful relationships with horses. Whether you're seeking personal growth, emotional healing, new to horses or an experienced rider, our programs provide a safe and supportive environment to explore the transformative power of horse-human connection.
Horsemanship Lessons
Learn the fundamentals of groundwork, riding, and horse communication with guidance from our experienced instructors.
Stephanie Golder
Stephanie owns Squamish Therapeutic Horse Riding and primarily teaches neuro-diverse students on Pipps, a 10 year old American Paint.
She is now available to teach clients who own or lease their own horse at Cheekye Ranch.
Stephanie has been riding horses for 35 years. She started riding as a child in the UK and grew up doing Pony Club, and competing in the sports of Tetrathlon and Eventing. Since moving to Canada, she has worked at one of the largest certified Therapeutic Riding Facilities in the country, developed her own thoroughbred from off the track, up to Preliminary Eventing and Second Level Dressage, and coached a number of students looking to start their equestrian journey.
Her focus is on developing young equestrians, from beginner to intermediate.
A foundation of classical dressage, stable management, and horsemanship make up the main content of lessons.
Contact Stephanie at in_the_saddle@hotmail.com or 780-832-5012 for further information
Annie McKenzie
CEST
Annie is a lifelong horsewoman and a dedicated equestrian. Starting her riding career at age 5, her background includes eventing and reined cowhorse. Annie is a certified equine sports therapist, graduating class of 2016 from BCCET. She believes in a whole-horse approach to training, integrating both positive (R+) and negative reinforcement (R-).
She has apprenticed under Olympic equestrian Robin Hahn, champion reined cow horse trainer Doug Mills, and Hall of Fame rider Travis Rempel. With experience ranging from starting colts to finishing bridle horses, her goal is to cultivate a soft, willing partnership between horse and rider.
Annie combines posture-correct training with horsemanship, using everything from round pen exercises to in-the-saddle work. Above all, she strives to make the learning process fun, educational, and productive.
She is not currently taking clients.
Therapeutic Programs
Engage in equine-assisted therapies designed to promote emotional well-being, mindfulness, and self-discovery.
Develop a deeper understanding of non-verbal communication and energy exchange between humans and horses. Incorporating the stories and personalities of our rescue horses, these sessions help to foster healing and create a deeper bond with the animals.
Desirée Sher
Certified Equine-Supported Life Coach, EASLC, Reg. CA (BC)
Desirée is an equine-supported life coach who helps people slow down, breathe deeper, and return to themselves in the presence of horses. For more than 15 years years, Desirée has helped people navigate life's transitions with greater clarity, self-awareness, and resilience.
Her horse-guided sessions help participants find calm, clarity, and connection during times of stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, and life transition. They are also ideal for horse lovers seeking a deeper, more mindful connection with horses, or anyone longing for a meaningful pause from the busyness of life.
Partnering at liberty with a unique herd of rescued horses, wild horses, and mules Desirée creates experiences rooted in mutual respect and choice. She believes the most meaningful encounters happen when both horses and humans are free to show up as themselves.
If you're seeking a restorative pause from the busyness of life, and an opportunity to reconnect with yourself through the wisdom of horses, I invite you to spend time with the herd.
Programs:
• Equigrounding© Wellness Sessions
• Soul Shifts Coaching for Life Transitions
• Mindful Group Experiences and Retreats
• Leadership, Land & Horse Stewardship Programs for Youth
No horse experience is necessary.
Learn more about Desirée, her horses, and her offerings at soulspacecoaching.ca.
EQUUS REIGNS, Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL®) programs
Sessions Starting June 2026
Taryn Brown
What is FEEL?
Welcome to a healing modality where you partner with horses at liberty, while experiencing facilitated groundwork activities. This approach of ‘learning through doing’, helps you gain personal discoveries with a horse as your guide. As the facilitator, I create and hold space for you, and provide observations and feedback to further enhance your experience.
The foundation of this approach is emotional agility, self-awareness, self-regulation, safe and healthy boundary setting, intuitive awareness and spiritual connections.
Who is this for?
Are you looking for balance and grounding? Do you feel disconnected from your body?
Do you want to feel more connected to your heart?
Are you interested in horses but are afraid of them?
Are you experiencing anxiety or burnout?
Do you want to expand your intuition?
Do you want to experience empowered leadership?
*Sessions are suitable for ages 13 and up.
Programs
Individual sessions
Partner sessions
Retreats
Contact Taryn at tarynbrowndesigns@gmail.com for further information.
Kathryn
Unbridled Grace, Owner & Head Coach
Kathryn has over two decades of experience supporting vulnerable youth and families, including roles with Watari, Peak House, and as the original Manager of the North Shore Youth Safe House. She later moved into HR leadership with organizations such as Rick Hansen, Hilton, and PHS, where she supported addiction, homelessness, and mental health programs. Kathryn holds certifications in Equine-Assisted Learning and Equine-Assisted Organizational Development, and brings her background in counselling, HR, and team/executive coaching into her barn-based programs, blending traumainformed practice with experiential learning.
Kathryn founded Unbridled Grace to create a resource outside the traditional health system — one that empowers individuals and families to build resiliency and pursue recovery in a supportive, compassionate environment. Drawing on her extensive background in social services and HR, she brings both professional expertise and heartfelt commitment to every client interaction.
At Unbridled Grace, Kathryn partners with equine coaches — horses who themselves have overcome past abuse and neglect — to guide clients in discovering strength, healing, and hope. Just as the horses have found their path to recovery, Kathryn believes every person has the capacity to reclaim resilience and thrive.
Learn more at unbridled-grace.com and on instagram
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Start Your Journey
Whether you're looking to build confidence, deepen your connection with horses, or explore the benefits of equine-assisted learning, we’re here to help. Reach out today to learn more about our programs and find the perfect fit for your experience level and goals.