Most People Don't Even Know This Little-Known Wild Horse Sanctuary In Southern California Even Exists
By Natasha Kayes|Published July 20, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
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I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Many of us are animal lovers, and here in Southern California, we have a number of places where we can enjoy them. There are zoos, a wild animal park, horse ranches, aquariums, a camel dairy farm, petting zoos, alpaca farms, aviaries, a seal sanctuary, and even an ostrich habitat. But one place that hardly anyone knows about is a wild horse sanctuary in Lompoc, CA.
The Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation is not another rescue organization. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, to making sure that the incredible herds of wild horses survive despite forces that threaten them and their habitats.
When they are removed from their natural habitat and separated from family and herd groups, these beautiful animals suffer from the disruption of their bonds and social structure.
Return to Freedom became the first sanctuary to rescue entire herds, or family bands, of wild horses, and here in Lompoc, it runs a model sanctuary that shows deep respect for the herd mentality of wild horses.
These majestic horses enjoy live in natural family bands and herd groups here, living and behaving as they would in the true wild. The sanctuary ensures that the horses’ emotional and physical well-being is cared for.
Not only does the sanctuary provide a safe haven for nearly 400 horses, including 29 burros, but it also works to preserve some rare and unique bloodlines that are considered extinct or threatened in the wild.
When you visit Return to Freedom, you can observe these stunning mustangs in a natural habitat that encompasses some 1,500 acres of land. There is also a larger satellite sanctuary to the north in San Luis Obispo.
If you are a horse-lover like me, there is a strong possibility that you saw the 2002 animated film, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.” The horse that was used as a model and inspiration for the animators and artists that worked on the film was a real horse named “Spirit,” who now lives at Return to Freedom and is an important ambassador of the Kiger Mustang breed.
Ambassadors at the sanctuary are special animals who are rare breeds, have the purest unique bloodlines, or are world-famous. They serve as living examples of the noble American wild horses.
Just knowing this kind of place exists in Southern California is heartwarming, but a visit to observe these incredible animals would be unforgettable. Did you know we had wild horses in Southern California? Have you been to the sanctuary? If so, share your experiences with us in the comments. Find out all about this amazing place and the horses on the Return to Freedom website. You can also keep up with news and events by following Return to Freedom on Facebook.
If you have never been to Lompoc (or are in need of a great little staycation!), Lompoc is a wonderful place for a weekend getaway. In fact, if you are up for a fun and relaxing adventure, you can rent an RV and spend a couple of days at the nearby Jalama Beach campground.
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