Sometimes, inspiration and purpose can stem from the most unlikely of places. For philanthropist and former radio host Ann Lesley Smith, a love for horses has evolved into a quest for peace — for herself and for others — and even insight into advancements in modern technology.
Among the rolling hills of her California estate, Smith has found personal contentment with her collection of horses and has been especially inspired by one: her Arabian Amir Fadjur Salaam. Now, she is paying it forward, opening other people’s eyes to the empathetic disposition of these majestic horses.
A catalyst for a new chapter
Like most people, Smith has endured highs and lows in her life. After the death of her husband, mogul and musician Chester Smith, she went in search of her true purpose. She found it in a deep, abiding faith and in her connection to her Arabian horse, Amir.
A direct descendant of one of the most celebrated horses in history, The Fabulous Fadjur, Amir has a once-in-a-lifetime legacy.
“Amir has a lineage that has been carried down through thousands of years of meticulous breeding that instilled intelligence, intuition, and an almost human-like empathy,” explains Smith. “His presence in my life felt like destiny.”
Seeing Amir as the living embodiment of peace and unwavering connection, the wheels began turning for Smith. She began to create space for people to experience the same serenity she had found at her estate and with Amir, and started opening her home not just to celebrities but to anyone seeking clarity and peace in their lives.
“When people come here, they feel something shift inside them,” Smith reflects. “I let my Arabians run free alongside riders as they ride. Watching them move naturally — graceful, powerful, unrestrained — changes people. It’s a reminder of what real freedom looks like.”
Embracing ancient empathy and the intelligent design of the Arabian breed
The Arabian horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in the world, celebrated not only for its beauty but also for its temperament, shaped by centuries of companionship with humans. Nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula raised these horses not as trainers would a beast of burden, but as family, often sharing tents with them, nurturing a unique depth of understanding and mutual trust.
For Smith, the empathy that has been bred into Arabian horses like Amir can offer valuable lessons in our modern age.
“Arabians are known for their sensitivity and understanding,” Smith says. “Amir has kindness, empathy, and even a sense of humor. In an age where artificial intelligence is being trained to mimic human behavior, maybe we should look to nature — to the Arabian horse — for the blueprint of true emotional intelligence.”
It’s an unexpected but poignant observation coming from a woman who has worked across media, spirituality, and entertainment. The possibility that ancient wisdom could be bridged with modern innovation is something that Smith is optimistic about.
“I think it’s fascinating to imagine technology learning empathy the way Arabians have learned to live alongside humans,” Smith muses. “Maybe that’s the next step: machines that feel, not just spit out data.”
The gift of authenticity
The heart of Smith’s multifaceted mission is not technology, influence, or even getting more people to love horses. It is embracing the power of authenticity. Amid a culture that is driven by speed, appearances, and digital noise, Smith has found solace in Amir’s authentic companionship.
“The purity of the Arabian horse and the way they communicate with humans is a rarity these days,” Smith says. “So much of life feels contrived and synthetic, but Arabians are different. They’re real, genuine, and undefiled. When I’m with Amir, I feel grounded. His trust reminds me that the deepest connections in life come from openness and sincerity.”
For Smith, the empathy and awareness she has witnessed within her Arabian horses, and Amir in particular, could inspire broader change in a world that is increasingly divided. She has turned her estate into more than a refuge; it is a living classroom for compassion and finding peace.
Whether it has been through music, animals, faith, or service, Ann Lesley Smith believes that purpose is found in connection, something that her horse Amir teaches her every day.
“People ask me what makes Amir special,” she says. “It’s his soul. He listens, he feels, and in that way, he heals. Through him, I’ve found my own purpose: to bring that same peace and empathy into the world.”