Amid the rolling hills and vineyards of California’s wine country, horse sanctuaries have evolved into something more than simple pastoral retreats. These estates and ranches are becoming spaces for reflection, restoration, and connection between humans and intuitive horses, but especially the intelligent, empathetic Arabian breed.
Philanthropist Ann Lesley Smith knows well the power of spaces where the pace of life slows enough to allow for a rediscovery of clarity and purpose. Her lifelong love of horses and her special connection to her prized Arabian stallion, Amir Fadjur Salaam, have allowed her to create a deeply intentional vision: an estate open to others for healing and spiritual wellness.
“This didn’t start as a business plan or following a wellness trend,” says Smith. “It was all inspired by my personal connection to Amir that would ultimately reshape my sense of purpose.”
Emotional resonance through horses
Amir Fadjur Salaam is a purebred Arabian horse whose presence carries an almost immediate emotional resonance. A descendant of the award-winning Arabian horse, The Fabulous Fadjur, Amir embodies the same characteristics as the Arabians that came before him: intelligence, sensitivity, and relational awareness that the breed has become known for over centuries.
“When you look into Amir’s eyes, you feel understood,” says Smith. “The connection can go beyond words.”
The bond that Smith developed with Amir was a turning point in deciding to open her estate to people seeking rest, respite, and healing, both emotional and spiritual. She led with the idea that this healing could be nurtured through human-animal connection and the quiet rhythms of life on the estate.
From sanctuary to community change
Once a private refuge, Smith’s estate welcomes visitors to not just sit and observe horses but to engage with them through walking among the rolling hills with the free-roaming horses, riding through the open land, or simply sitting in the stillness. The experiences are intentionally simple and encourage presence.
Smith also has broader goals for her community, both in California and on a global scale.
“Authenticity and meaning can often get lost in the day-to-day hustle of life,” she says. “Through Amir’s authenticity, people learn how to embrace what is still and what is real.”
Smith’s positioning of Amir as an ambassador of peace and symbol of authenticity is rooted in a growing interest in slow living and nature-based wellness. Her ideas are driven by her lived experience, guided by faith, empathy, and the belief that healing can often happen among natural, unstructured moments.
“Amir has taught me that healing doesn’t have to be complicated,” says Smith. “Sometimes, it can happen when you are just still.”
The spirit of equine healing
It is not a novel idea that horses can support emotional healing. Science supports the value of equine-assisted therapy. It has been used for decades to support everything from coping with substance abuse to trauma and anxiety. Arabian horses are uniquely effective in this context due to their sensitivity to human emotion and body language.
Unlike traditional therapy, therapeutic experiences with horses are largely non-verbal. It encourages humans to become more aware of their internal state by slowing their breathing, regulating their emotions, and building trust through simple presence rather than dialogue.
Smith has witnessed transformation through equine therapy and connection firsthand.
“You can see people become visibly calmer, more grounded, and more open,” she says. “You can see it in their posture. They become softer.”
Arabian horses have been bred over thousands of years in close proximity to humans and were often treated like members of the family by ancient Bedouin tribes. This history has shaped the breed to be known for its intelligence, human-like empathy, and understanding.
“Arabian horses were given as gifts symbolizing goodwill for generations,” says Smith. “That lineage informs how they are used for equine therapy today.”
The qualities that Amir holds are central to Smith’s sanctuary’s purpose. “Amir reflects something back to me and others about who we are and who we can become,” she says.
A philosophy of peace and purpose
As Smith enters her seventies, her love of horses has taken on a more philanthropic tone. What began as personal healing has evolved into a mission centered on others. For Smith, her estate is not just a local retreat, but part of a broader movement toward peace, connection, and purpose — with Amir as the center, as a symbol of empathy and goodwill.
Smith has worked hard to transform her personal passion into a community-centered mission to help others find renewal and peace. Together with Amir, Smith has built a model for how love for animals, people, and a deeper sense of purpose can evolve into something that serves others in meaningful ways.