For philanthropist and former radio host Ann Lesley Smith, her personal journey to renewal and restoration has been informed by a deep, abiding faith and an unlikely connection with a special animal companion: her Arabian stallion, Amir Fadjur Salaam. Through the example of Amir’s almost human-like ability to empathize and understand, Smith has gained an understanding of emotional renewal and has paid it forward to others seeking healing after trauma.
A mission shaped by faith and a very special horse
There is a strong spiritual thread running through Smith’s mission to help others. “I believe that through faith and embracing peace, people can reclaim their stories,” she says.
Smith’s California estate, nestled in the rolling hills and vineyards of wine country, has evolved with her mission. Once simply a sanctuary for her and her horses, the estate is now open to others seeking respite and renewal amid the hustle and bustle of modern life.
More than just a place for therapeutic healing, Smith’s estate has become a space for spiritual connection.
“Healing is something active and participatory,” says Smith. “Peace is a practice that people have to choose.”
It was Smith’s horse, Amir, that inspired her to begin to think about connection, renewal, and empathy. A direct descendant of The Fabulous Fadjur, one of the most celebrated Arabian horses in modern history, Amir has a human-like ability to connect with others, a hallmark of the Arabian horse’s bloodline for centuries.
Bred by Bedouin tribes 4,500 years ago to be more companion than beast of burden, the Arabian horse has become known for its singular intelligence and empathy. Smith knew that by bringing others to her estate, she could help them find the same healing connection and serenity with Amir and her other Arabian horses that she had discovered.
“You see a change in people,” Smith explains. “They begin to relax once they are confronted with the freedom that these horses possess.”
Horses for empathetic healing
Smith has seen the healing power of equine connection firsthand. “Horses can absolutely help people reset emotionally,” she shares.
Once given as gifts to symbolize goodwill, Arabian horses in particular have had a special role in the lives of humans throughout history. “With horses like Amir, people begin to understand their own capacity for connection,” she says.
Amir carries a message that goes beyond the walls of Smith’s estate. She believes his perceptive and intelligent qualities can frame a larger conversation about human relationships, peace in a time of deep division, authenticity at a time of synthetic connection, and even technological innovation.
“We live at a time when people are not used to real, tangible connection with others,” says Smith. “But Amir is capable of that. You can see it in his eyes; he understands you. There is empathy there. I think we can all learn from that.”
Recently, Smith saw the announcement of Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Humanoid Robot. She was inspired, again, by her connection with Amir, coming up with the somewhat radical idea that if empathy and understanding could be “programmed” into a horse over thousands of years, perhaps that horse could be used as a blueprint for today’s AI technology tools, bringing them closer to being human-like than ever before.
“I know that if the Bedouin tribes could program Arabian horses to be the highly intelligent and empathic creatures that they are today, we can learn from that approach,” Smith says.
Creating a transformative life and mission
As she enters her 70s, Smith is determined to make the best of what she has learned from Amir. Her story is bigger than horses, her estate, or even her search for wellness and spiritual healing. It is about how those elements combine to make a better world for everyone. Through her connection to her faith and her equestrian expertise, Smith has shown how healing can be both a spiritual journey and a personal achievement.
At the center of Smith’s mission to help others stands Amir, a horse unlike any other. He shows what is so unique about the Arabian breed and why, for thousands of years, human beings have connected to these majestic creatures.
Smith’s far-reaching message is multifaceted yet altogether simple: peace, connection, and healing are possible — no matter what someone has been through. In a world that often feels like it is moving too fast, Smith offers people a chance to slow down, reflect on their lives, and heal.