Dr. Vince Carroll of Little Stone Church blesses one of the horses at the June 14 Feast of Epona Blessing of the Animals at Mission Hill Stable. Dr. Carroll blessed each animal individually and also blessed the stable's horse pen. "Look back on our struggle for freedom, trace our present day strength to its source, and you'll find that man's pathway to glory is strewn with the bones of a horse."

This anonymous quote characterized the mood at Mission Hill Stable Friday, June 13, as horses and dogs, along with the Island residents and visitors who are their companions, gathered for the annual Feast of Epona Blessing of the Animals.

The quote was read by Trish Martin of the Mackinac Horse - men's Association as part of her welcome to those who crowded into the stable yard.

"Horses have been woven through the culture here," said Ms. Martin. "They have truly shaped life on the Island."

The Reverend Vince Carroll of Little Stone Church individually blessed each horse and dog in attendance, telling them what a gift they are to the world.

"Horses have always been a great part of my soul," said Dr. Carroll, whose grandparents owned horses when he was young.

The idea for the animal blessing, now in its fourth year, came from the tradition of blessing a wreath and tossing it into the water for those who sail or make a living on the lake.

The blessing is part of the celebration of the Feast of Epona, the Celtic goddess of horses.

Nancy Jordan of Grand Blanc, along with her husband, Bill, was visiting friends on the Island and read about the Feast of Epona online. The Jordans have three saddlebreds, two Missouri foxtrotters, two mules, two cats, two dogs, and a parrot.

"I thought it was wonderful," she said of the blessing, adding that she thought visitors should bring photos of animals they have at home.

Those attending the event also had the opportunity to tour the stable, currently used by the Island's 4-H program. Ap - proximately 40 children participate in the program, of which 15 are year-around Island residents.

Leanne Brodeur, executive director of the Mackinac Island Horsemen's Association, talked about the lessons offered by the 4-H program, as well as the progress that has been made on the new community stable site near Wawashkamo Golf Club.

"This program is really important to the culture here on the Island," added board member Marta Olson.

Lonnie Olson brought her dog, Kozi, a service dog in training, from St. Helen to participate in many of the Lilac Festival's animal-friendly events over the weekend, including the blessing. She tries to bring a different dog to the Island each year to expose them to the horse clopping and cannon booms that they won't be distracted by anywhere else. Ms. Olson has high hopes for Kozi, who she said was "unshakable."

Although she has been visiting the Island for eight years, this was her first time attending the blessing, which she enjoyed.

"Other blessings I've been to, they don't come up to each animal individually," she said. Ms. Olson was visiting the Island with friends Therese Siemion and Martha Thierry.

Ms. Thierry, who brought her dog, Murphy, said the blessing was a wonderful way to honor the Island's horses.

"This is such a unique place," she said. "The horses remind us that sometimes we need to slow down."

In her welcome to the assembly, Ms. Martin agreed.

"Mackinac has chosen a slower, more peaceful existence," she said. "It's good that there's still a place where people can hear the clipclop of hooves."