Discovery Equine at Cheam Stables

10/23/2026

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT FOR DISCOVERY EQUINE!

We have an incredibly exciting, time-sensitive announcement!

From now until November 30th, a generous donor will MATCH every single dollar donated up to $10,000!

Did you know that session fees only cover a fraction of our operational costs? Every breakthrough moment a child experiences at Discovery Equine is made possible because our donors subsidize the rest.

Right now, your generosity goes twice as far:

🐴 $25 becomes $50
🐴 $100 becomes $200
🐴 $500 becomes $1,000,
And just to clarify,
🐴 $100,000 becomes $110,000

Can we count on your help to unlock the full $10,000 before the clock runs out?

Please click the link below to make your Tax Deductable Donation and double your impact today!

Double Your Donation Fund
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/124765

10/20/2026

This fall has been one for the record, and we are feeling incredibly grateful for the extended beautiful weather we’ve been blessed with. It has brought an extra layer of joy to our sessions.

The sunny days have given our kids the perfect backdrop to learn, grow, and build trust. Our steady horses and ponies have been thriving in the gentle autumn warmth, and our incredible session leaders have had the best time guiding these powerful moments of connection.

10/17/2026

10/15/2026

A lot of people think horsemanship is just about the time spent in the saddle.

At Discovery Equine, these unglamorous moments are exactly what we value most.

People often ask why our sessions are 90 minutes long. The answer lives completely in the pre-ride. The care, the grooming, and the tacking up aren't just chores to get through—they are the sacred ground where character, resilience, confidence, independence, and heart transformation are built.

Before she gets to the "fun stuff," she is going to do hard stuff. And then she is going to do more hard stuff. Preparing feed, picking packed dirt from a hoof, carrying a heavy saddle, or figuring out the complicated buckles of a saddle or bridle requires grit and focus - even more that what most adults can muster in their own. But when a child steps into these challenges alongside a dedicated mentor, the dynamic changes.

Our mentors are there at every stage—not just to teach horse care, but to shed light on the true value of what is being done. More importantly, they are there to listen. As the dirt is brushed away, hearts tend to open. When a child begins to communicate what is heavily weighing on the mind, the mentor is there to help them process, guide them through it, and gently shepherd their heart.

As a Christian organization, we see a beautiful spiritual parallel every day, every session in the barn. In God's kingdom, the prep work matters immensely. Before the "victory" or the ride, God asks us to serve, to learn humility, and to do the hard work of caring for what we’ve been entrusted with. He steps into the dust with us as our ultimate Mentor—patiently listening when we pour out our hearts, guiding our steps, and reminding us that we are fully seen and deeply loved.

Through this intentional relationship, the "hard stuff" quickly transforms into the fun stuff. A quiet, radiant pride blooms when a young person realizes they are capable of serving and performing complicated tasks for an animal that trusts them.

That confidence doesn't just stay in our arena. Soon, that "I can do hard things" attitude ripples outward. It walks with them into the home, changes how they handle anxiety at school, and empowers them to lead with love in their community.

At Discovery Equine, true horsemanship isn't about learning to control a horse. It's about who you become before you ever even put your foot in the stirrup.

Discovery Equine is a registered charitable organization mentoring children and families. If you wish to support our mission, follow this link to our donor page:

https://discoveryequine.com/donations

10/10/2026

Discovery Equine wants to send a heartfelt thank you to our amazing neighbors at Rosedale Tractor and Tech Alliance Repair Service for generously stepping up to lend us this awesome Schäffer loader along with a skilled operator.

Thanks to their incredible support, we were able to safely stack and maneuver large hay bales into some of the most hard-to-access areas of our stables.

Moving these large bales makes our day-to-day feeding routines so much easier and cuts our forage expenses nearly in half!

As a non-profit charity, we know we aren’t the typical buyers for high-end heavy equipment, which makes their willingness to give back when we reached out even more incredible.

We are deeply grateful for businesses that choose to invest in their local community, and we appreciate this practical partnership more than words can say.

Thank you for helping us keep our horses happy, healthy, and well-fed!

10/08/2026

Yesterday, the Discovery Equine family said a heartbreaking goodbye to Duke, a cornerstone of our herd and a deeply important partner in our mission, following a brief illness.

Duke’s journey began in 2005 on the Budweiser farm in Boonville Missouri, where he was born. He was too small to pull the wagon full of b**r kegs he was bred to do, so was sold to the public.

Before being gifted to Discovery Equine six years ago, his grand adventure with his owner, Mark Fletcher, took him through the Yukon, Alaska, Pemberton, Rock Creek, the Cariboo, and Saskatchewan.

Though he traveled far and wide, it was here at Discovery Equine that Duke fulfilled an extra special purpose, leaving an indelible mark on every life he touched.

Weighing in at almost a ton, Duke’s intimidating size was never a barrier. To the children who loved him, he was simply the "Gentle Giant." He was the giver of unforgettable birthday rides, a horse with so much "real estate" that a full brushing easily took an hour, and a boy with hooves the size of dinner plates and a heart as big as the sky.

Though his head had more volume than most small children, he possessed a profound tenderness. When he lowered that massive head into your chest for a hug, there was never any doubt that you were in the presence of pure devotion.

At Discovery Equine, we focus heavily on the Fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Duke spent every single day embodying these exact qualities. He possessed a rare, intuitive wisdom; at any given moment, he knew exactly which quality to exude to comfort the person standing beside him.

Duke’s back was a place of transformation. It was a source of pure joy for children who needed to learn they could do scary things. He taught them that leadership is not about size, and he gave them the immense pride of impressing dads who wouldn’t dare mount a horse quite as big as he was.

He was a master healer who held a God-given gift. Duke possessed the ability to look straight into a human heart and gently point them in the direction of healing.
In just six short years, Duke taught us a lifetime of lessons—lessons we will continue to unpack and honor as we reflect on his legacy.

Duke will be deeply mourned by the many humans he touched, but also by his beloved equine family. He leaves behind his best stable buds, Cody and Ely. Together, they were a tight-knit herd, best friends, and constant playmates.

He will also be fiercely missed by Thunder, our miniature horse. When the biggest horse met the smallest horse, magic happened. Their playful interactions brought endless fun to the farm, proving that friendship knows no size.

This past summer, Duke began experiencing neurological issues that initially affected his bladder. Last weekend, those challenges progressed to affect his hind end control. During this time Duke’s demeanor never changed. We believed he was not in pain, but with a horse like Duke, his perseverance may have given him a stoic resolve that is beyond our understanding of animal nature.

While Duke managed to stay upright through the incredible strength of his front legs, it was only a matter of time before he would go down and be unable to rise. To preserve his dignity and ensure he did not suffer, the peaceful decision was made to lay him to rest.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our veterinarian, Kerstin, who walked alongside us on this difficult journey and ensured Duke was comfortable and peaceful in the end.

We also want to give a massive thank you to Cassidy Smith who custom fit his last 3 sets of oversized shoes that gave him new life on hard ground. For Kendra, the osteopath who tried to help in his last days, and Braeden Bisschop who assisted in handling his remains with the dignity we could only have hoped for.

These dedicated hands and loving hearts were a critical part of our last memories of Duke.

The Bible tells us in the book of Revelation that Heaven is filled with horses, describing them as majestic creatures that carry the armies of heaven. While scripture pictures them roaring into battle, we like to think the gates of Heaven opened wide yesterday to welcome a different kind of champion—one who specializes in peace, patience, and giving spectacular birthday rides.

If there is a big field for him in heaven, we know Duke is finally free from his earthly ailments. He is likely enjoying a pasture where the grass is endless, the apples are crisp, and heavenly occupants that have plenty of time to give him the full, hour-long brushing he deserves.

Duke, you gave us your whole heart, and we will carry your spirit with us in every lesson we teach.

Rest easy, big boy.

*Feel free to post your memories of Duke in the comments.