Inspiration Farm Lilly

Thanks to E.P.O.N.A. and your generosity Lilly will not be euthanized and will continue with her rehabilitation. (Story below)

On behalf of Lilly please acknowledge EPONA's sense of responsibility. E-mail E.P.O.N.A. with your support at eponarescue@yahoo.com

Update: On September 7, 2007 Melissa Coe President of E.P.O.N.A. (Equine Protection of North America) signed transfer papers for Lilly from the New Hampshire SPCA to E.P.O.N.A.. What does this mean? It means that Lilly is now safe from the threat of euthanasia. E.P.O.N.A. is now the legal guardian and provider for Lilly. Through the generosity of horse lovers across New England and Florida, Lilly will safely remain in a rehabilitation program at Inspiration Farm for several more months. In that time period E.P.O.N.A. is hopeful they will find an appropriate, permanent home for Lilly. E.P.O.N.A. is a complete rescue. They not only rescue, but rehabilitate horses. This comes at a great cost for a non-profit organization such as E.P.O.N.A. There are no federal or state funds available and E.P.O.N.A. is funded by private donations. Lilly is not alone, E.P.O.N.A. is currently responsible for thirteen horses. To learn more or contribute to E.P.O.N.A. visit their website at eponarescue.org or donations may be sent to the Lilly Fund at Wendell's Wish, PO Box 255, Epping, New Hampshire 03042.

The Lilly Fund has been set up by the Wendell's Wish Therapeutic Riding program to help provide Lilly and horses like Lilly that have been neglected and abused, an opportunity for rehabilitation and the opportunity for a quality of life beyond their abuse and neglect. For more information on Wendell's Wish visit wendellswish.com contributions to the Lilly fund can be addressed to Wendell's Wish, the Lilly Fund, PO Box 255, Epping, New Hampshire 03042

Lilly was one of five horses rescued by E.P.O.N.A. and the Stratham New Hampshire SPCA in December of 2006. Lilly was extremely thin and the ill fitted blanket that she was wearing had to be cut off from her. Lilly is a Trakehner/Thoroughbred cross and had been handled very little in her life. No one knows for sure how long, but it has been rumored that Lilly has spent most of her 10 to 12 years in her stall. Ron co-founder of Equine Protection of North America was called in to assist in the case by the SPCA and the attending Veterinarian Dr. Demi Erickson of TNT. Not accustomed to life outside her stall, the simplest tasks such as putting on the halter and leaving the safety and confines of her stall and the only life that she has known were terrifying to her. After several hours of encouragement and assurance Lilly leapt from her stall into a "New World". Once in the open it was yet another feat to get her into a trailer. Several hours later at the comforting hand of Ron, Lilly entered the trailer and was carefully transported to an awaiting stall at the SPCA. Once at the SPCA Lilly easily unloaded from the trailer and began to seek comfort in a new stall at the SPCA. In the beginning Ron visited Lilly almost daily introducing her to her new world. She was soon walking about the grounds although fearful she was willing to investigate.

The next step for Lilly was to find a foster home where she would be able to continue to expand her horizons slowly, so that she would gain comfort, security and trust in the transition of her new life and preparation for a future adoption. Arrangements were made by Ron for Lilly to visit and spend time with Karen Wright of Alton. Karen had a perfect situation for Lilly. She would have the security of her stall, yet be able to venture out from her stall to a paddock at her own discretion and comfort. Lilly continued to improve with Karen's care and handling, however the SPCA was beginning to look at Lilly as a horse that was not able to be fully rehabilitated and was still considered to be dangerous and a liability in terms of adoptability. Lilly at her size and age was still very fearful and had never been ridden, she was not great at picking up her feet. Although she had improved she was inconsistent with a veterinarian. It was at this point in time that the SPCA began discussing Lilly as a candidate for euthanasia. Ron and Karen disagreed with this view point and collaborated in finding someone to adopt Lilly and place her in the professional hands of Ron.

Lilly was blessed. Ron was able to introduce Christina Potter of North East Trakehners to Lilly. Christina, an experienced horse person herself, recognized Lilly's possibilities and agreed that Lilly deserved more time. In Ron's words " You cannot take a horse from his/her surroundings of ten to twelve years of neglect and fix the issues in a matter of just a few months. Horses are fear based and are creatures of habit. It takes a great deal of consistent handling just for the "normal" everyday horse, imagine what is going through a horse like Lilly's mind, through all of this." In May 2007 Lily was formally adopted by Christina from the SPCA and placed in the capable hands of Ron. After several reassuring hours Lilly once again loaded onto Ron's trailer and moved to Inspiration Farm.

Once at Inspiration Farm Lilly was given a space in a busy area of the barn so that she would be exposed to more activity and she was given time to adjust to her new surroundings. Once she began to show signs of comfort and security it was time to introduce her to exercises that would gain her trust and respect for those handling her. Below are many photos of Lilly in her rehabilitation program.

Lilly is extremely sensitive with her ears and very protective in lowering her head

Lilly learning about Ron's hidden fascination with childhood toys that help instill confidence and trust

The time has come for the ultimate test. Does Lilly trust us enough to let us on her back?

Transportation for Lilly has been a huge obstacle. It has been very traumatic for her and difficult for her to trust and it has taken hours for her to become comfortable enough to load onto the trailer in the past. Ron has not attempted any trailering with Lilly since she arrived at Inspiration Farm. We are anxious to see how well she does after all the ground work that she has been exposed to.

Great Success !!! within minutes Lilly is almost on the trailer just by following Ron, and a few more minutes and she is fully on. To simulate a step up trailer, Ron places strong platforms for support under the ramp Lilly accepts this very well.

Being in a stall most of her life Lilly had no interaction with other horses. Contrary to some beliefs it is not wise to just release such a horse into a herd or open area. Horses are fear based, and it is traumatic for the horse to change things abruptly. Such situations can cause physical, psychological and health issues, such as ulcers or injury from running a fence etc. It is in the better interest of a horse such as Lilly to invest in the time necessary to achieve a level of security and trust with and for the horse. With the ground work underway we are seeing Lilly developing her trust not only in us, but she is establishing a level of self confidence in herself, not seen before. She is no longer looking at the world with just fear, she is gaining a sense of curiosity. It is at this point in time that we can start the socialization process. Lilly is first walked about the property and given an opportunity to develop some confidence. She is then introduced to one horse in the herd and the two of them are released together in the field. Over a period of time Lilly's comfort level begins to grow and then the big day arrives. Lilly gets to meet the rest of the "gals". At first Lilly comes into the herd too strong and defensive. The herd rejects her because of her dominant approach.. She seeks comfort under the shade trees, as she is not used to the sun and to the concept of grazing. Over the next few days other members of the herd seek her out and begin to split their time with Lilly and the remainder of the herd. Over the next few days Lilly gets a little closer to the herd and begins to graze and things are beginning to take on a more normal feel. However when she sees a human Lilly is quick to neigh and gallop to the gate to meet them. Most of the pasture photos are from a distance because she would come running when she would see someone close to the fence line.

Lilly in the safety and comfort of the shade tree she is far off to the right

Lilly peering over the fence line Lilly hanging out with another herd member

Lilly and the girls begin to integrate more as Lilly gets more comfortable with the outside world and the concept of grazing ( Lilly is wearing the fly sheet )

With regard to the neglect of Lilly and her friends it should be noted that the neglect was not intentional. The previous owner is an experienced horse person and suffers from severe mental illness and is currently in a treatment facility. This does not excuse the severe neglect of these horses, but it does bring to light the importance of watching out for the welfare of animals.

A special thanks to the following for their assistance in providing Lilly with a new life. The Stratham SPCA, E.P.O.N.A., Murphy Chase, Dr. Demi Erickson Veterinarian, William Keugel Farrier, Dr. Irving Solkolvitz Veterinarian, Robin Bell Reiki, Michelle Henry, Karen Wright, the wonderful and caring staff of Inspiration Farm and thanks to all those that we may have overlooked. To those that gave so graciously of their resources to the SPCA's request for assistance. Thanks to Christina Potter for partnering with Ron and Karen in advocating for Lilly. Last but not least to Ron Levesque, who's understanding, intuition, compassion, patience and skills with the horses is nothing less than miraculous. Thank you for sharing your gifts Ron

Hi everyone, I regret to inform you that it is official. Suzanne Bryant of the SPCA came to Inspiration Farm today and announced that Christina Potter who had previously adopted Lilly had turned her back to the SPCA due to time restraints and the position of the SPCA is that they are not going to take her back to the SPCA nor are they going to invest in continuing her rehabilitation, despite the incredible advances that she has made. As many of you know I have not charged for any of her training and have only asked that her board fee be covered for the cost of feed, bedding, hay and stall space.

Those of you that know Lilly intimately have been shocked at this decision. Information on Lilly's story and her rehabilitation can be found on the Inspiration Farm website at inspirationfarm.org

Suzanne Bryant of the SPCA has stated that it is the SPCA's policy to "rescue and re-home animals they do not rehabilitate animals." There appears to be some confusion as to what rescue and rescue responsibilities are. Please take a look at the SPCA's website at nhspca.org and look on the What We Believe page and read the mission statement.

Please understand that I believe that the SPCA does do good work, however in my opinion there is a great deal of improvement that needs to be considered in the policies of equine rescue. Lilly is an example of this.

If you feel that the decision to euthanize Lilly is wrong please let your voice be heard. This is a non-profit organization that relies on your donations and I know that many of you have contributed to them over the years. You have the right to express your views. You may contact the SPCA @603-772-2921 or e-mail at info@nhspca.org

Please let your voice be heard on behalf of Lilly.

Please forward this to anyone that you feel would be interested in saving Lilly.

Most Sincerely,

Ron Levesque

Inspiration Farm