E.P.O.N.A Equine Protection of North America

Project Pawsitive released this video of the Reality Show pilot, filmed at E.P.O.N.A, to the press.

Almost overlooked in all the excitement of the past couple of weeks, but certainly not forgotten, are the the two new horses that arrived at E.P.O.N.A.

Jazz was here a while ago and has returned because her new owner was suffering some devastating economic hardships and could no longer keep her. She is a nine year old Standardbred mix approximately 15.2 hands. She has received professional training in the past and is a sound, spunky happy girl. She arrived here with her pasture pal Buddy.

Buddy is a 17 year old chestnut paint gelding with two blue eyes. He is lovable and easy going. You almost wouldn’t guess that he is completely deaf.

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If it’s possible we would like to find a home for these two where they can stay together.

Even though E.P.O.N.A. has recently been helped out with renovations and repairs to our facilities by Project Pawsitive, (and everyone else that so generously volunteered) we still rely on donations and sponsors to care for our horses. Our residents have now increased by two and we have not had any horses adopted out in quite a while. This is most likely due to the tough economy right now.

We are very grateful for every one that has helped both recently and in the past.

If you’d like to find out more about Jazz and Buddy visit our website.

While your there you might also want to check out the Horse of the month - Daisy. This incredible horse is still here, waiting for her forever home.

The repairs and renovations to the E.P.O.N.A facilities have been ongoing all during the week. There were a few rainy days but volunteers still showed up to pitch in. The picture above is of the E.P.O.N.A barn after some work and paint, and the repaired paddock fence nearby. The pictures below are the repaired fence line and water by “the Three Amigos” pasture and the expanded grain room.

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The Seacoast News published a feature story on EPONA and Project Pawsitive Friday Oct. 23. If you missed it you can read it here. You can also read another take on what happened on the announcement day on Ashley Burgess’ blog.

posted by Michele Simon, Administrator

Each horse has a reason to live at the farm
Each seeking refuge from unspeakable harm
Their lives stand as tributes to those who do give,
It is the kindness of others which lets them all live.

Many thanks to Home Depot, Greg Davis, and JB Byrne,
To the man who pulled wire for hours, though his hands they did burn
For the larger grain room, for the pressure wash, too -
To Melissa Coe and Project Pawsitive - you made this come true.

As they drink in the paddocks with no ice in the way,
As they rest in the barn at the end of the day,
With a new roof above and their stalls now restored,
May you know of their comfort, may that be your reward.

Poem written by E.P.O.N.A. volunteer Paul J. Klehm, Esq. Partner Krasnoo/Klehm LLP

A parade of nearly 90 volunteers accompanied Jill Grueter, host of Project Pawsitive, Tuesday October 13th to the E.P.O.N.A. barn and surprised us with the news that we had been chosen to receive much needed renovations for our barn!

Project Pawsitive is a new reality-based television show geared at providing eco-friendly renovations to deserving animal rescues in need.

EPONA was visited by Project Positive (then called Mission Pawsible) over the summer and we have been anxiously waiting to hear if we would be chosen to be hosted on the show.
Project Pawsitivity and Home Depot chose E.P.O.N.A. as the beneficiary of multiple repairs made to the barn where our rescued horses live including; a new roof, new paddocks, expanded grain room, updated stalls, power updates and water to our paddocks.

Nearly 70 Home Depot volunteers showed up to commence the week-long event. The Home Depot Foundation donated all the materials for the renovation.

Other local volunteers like JB Byrne of Celtic Builders and Greg Davis, Owner of Davis Landscaping Construction, are also donating their time and expertise.

Mission Pawsible began taping its first pilot here at E.P.O.N.A. Tuesday, October 13th.

posted by M Simon, Admin

On August 15, 2009 EPONA held a fundraiser at the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick Maine. The Hackamatck donated 50% of the ticket sales of the Tony award winning Broadway smash hit THE PRODUCERS to EPONA. The “Dinner and Show’ event sold out. With ticket and food sales along with an independent donation EPONA raised over $3,000 to help our horses!

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In addition to all the supporters who bought tickets many volunteers donated their time at the event, putting up fliers, spreading the word, selling tickets or raised donations of food and other supplies.

We would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone involved for making this such a huge success!

posted by Adminstrator

Daisy and Ginger are the two newest horses at E.P.O.N.A. They came here because their owner was going though foreclosure and could no longer afford to take care of them. Ginger was a little thin but she has since gained weight and is doing well. They both share a pasture together and are very good friends. Ginger is very gentle and loves to be brushed and groomed. Daisy seems to be a good match for Ginger in every way. When I go into her stall I am amazed at how quietly she stands while you brush her. She doesn’t fuss or even move.

Daisy is very curious and it proved a challenge on picture day as you can see in the photos below. Cameras aren’t the only thing that makes her curious though, apparently she loves checking out the barn cat!

When Daisy and Ginger find their forever homes they are going to make some people very happy ( and spread some joy).

You can find out more about Daisy and Ginger and the other horses at the website - https://eponarescue.org/residents.html

Michele Simon

If you read the E.P.O.N.A. website or visit the E.P.O.N.A. barn you might here a mention of ‘the boys’ or ‘The Three Amigos’. There are many ‘boys’ at the barn: They out number the mares 2-1. But the nickname ‘The Three Amigos’ refers to Blessed, Miracle and Sal, who all share a pasture together.

All three are fast friends, but the closest two are Blessed and Miracle. They often hang out together in their large pasture almost side by side. Occasionally it seems they are trying to share the same blade of grass.

When I first started volunteering here, I wondered how I would be able to tell them apart. When you see these three from a distance, out in their pasture, it can be difficult; especially when they are wearing their fly masks which cover their most prominent markings. I eventually found out if you search for the two that are hanging out closest together then you’ll know that the other one is Sal. Miracle is almost black but in full daylight he looks like a dark bay, very close to Blessed’s color. If you really look close and find the darker one, then you’ve found Miracle.

Recently I got to hang out with these three in their pasture when I was taking pictures for the website. I got some great shots of Sal a couple weeks ago and still needed some of Miracle and Blessed. Blessed, I found out is the most difficult horse in the barn to take pictures of. I thought that out in their pasture they would be at ease and relaxed enough to let their personality show in the photos, but it wasn’t that easy.

Miracle came right up to me to get some attention and look for treats. I got some good shots of him. Blessed was close by but when I got too close to him, Miracle would chase him away. I found the herd leader I thought to myself. Blessed was keeping his distance and Sal was grazing peacefully by himself on the other side of the pasture .

It took a lot of patience and time but eventually Miracle got bored and I could get closer to Blessed with out distraction. It seemed like I could finally get some great shots of him. I snapped away, then gave him a good pat as I started to leave. Miracle I guess wanted some more attention and came back to hang out with us by the gate. I turned and said goodbye to them and was surprised to see Sal sauntering up. He pushed his way between the other two and when Miracle didn’t move fast enough he whipped around as if to give him a good nip. Miracle zipped away.

I laughed out loud and gave Sal a big hug. Who would have thought that this quite poised horse, that seemed the loner of the three, was actually the herd leader. He rules his herd with a noble dignified stature.

This just goes to prove that old saying “Appearances can be deceiving” lends itself to horses too. Miracle, known to be very curious and a bit mischievous at times, would seem like the obvious leader of the group. I would have never guessed that Sal, who many mornings starts out very slow to his pasture, would be the big boss.

Blessed, I realized after studying the photos I took, is not only the gentlest but also apparently the most intelligent. When I looked at the photos I found out I didn’t even have one great shot of him. He had either twisted an ear sideways or was making some sort of face in every photo. There were some good photos but nothing great.

I tried again and again with the same result. Then I stepped back and really looked at what he was doing. Every time I came near him he was aware of my presence and it shows on his face by a twitched ear or a look in his eye. He certainly is a very sensitive guy.

I guess it will just take a lot more time and patience….

Michele Simon

You can find out more about these horses and all the horses at E.P.O.N.A. on the website at https://eponarescue.org/residents.html

I came to volunteer at E.P.O.N.A a few weeks ago. It already seems like I’ve been working here forever. I’m still getting to know the horses, their personalities and idiosyncrasies that make them all different. A couple of them stood out instantly, like Ginger with her gentle nature and Prize with his brazen beauty.





One horse that really touched my heart though is Chance. This gorgeous Warmblood Gelding came to E.P.O.N.A. after he broke his leg in a fall on the ice in a freak winter accident. His cast had broke and the leg healed incorrectly leaving it permanently crooked at the knee.

Many horses with Chance’s injuries don’t get a second chance… Many horses with broken legs don’t survive. Against all odds Chance has not only survived he thrives with a zest for life and kick-butt spunky attitude that makes you realize that there is still joy and happiness to be found even after life has dealt you a raw deal.

Chance’s spirit and inspiration have made him the Horse of the Month on the E.P.O.N.A website.

Michele Simon