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

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