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Spirit was used as an inspiration and model for the artists and animators during the making of the 2002 DreamWorks animated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. In April 2002, after the completion of the film, DreamWorks relocated Spirit to Return to Freedom's Wild Horse Sanctuary, where he serves as a prominent ambassador of the Kiger Mustang breed. At his new home, Spirit spend his days exploring large pastures at the Sanctuary and enjoying new friends. We are delighted to create a new home for Spirit where he can continue to thrive and inspire our visitors to preserve the heritage of these magnificent animals. At his new home, Spirit will be able to spend his days exploring large pastures at the Sanctuary and enjoying new friends. We are delighted to create a new home for Spirit where he can continue to thrive and inspire our visitors to preserve the heritage of these magnificent animals. Photo of Spirit by Stephen Pile.
Maggie is a fine boned petite burro with light coloring. She is shy but will approach you. Sensitive and kind, Maggie was born in 1996 on the range in the Centennial Herd Management Area in Kern County, California. She was captured from her home range in 2001 when she was five years old and pregnant. While at BLM’s Ridgecrest holding corrals, she gave birth to a furry little Jack (male burro) later named Poncho. Maggie and Poncho were adopted and soon after, brought to Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary in October 2001. Maggie and Poncho have been able to remain together and have joined 25 other burros who explore the rolling oak-studded hills at the sanctuary. Maggie can always be found near her son Poncho.
To register click the "Register for the Wild Horse and Burro Safari" button. You can also donate to Return to Freedom during your Safari registration or by clicking the "I Can't Attend but I'd like to Donate" button.
On 300 acres, photographers are able to experience diverse herds of the American Mustang. Horses who look as though they have literally stepped off the pages of a history book -- such as the descendants of Padres Kino's Spanish Mission horses, the Iberian Sorraia type Sulphur Springs herd, and the rarely found Cerbat Spanish Mustang. Then, in the hills, are descendants of cavalry and ranch horses from the Great Basin and other rugged areas on western public lands. The sanctuary is also home to wild burros who live in the romantic oak forest.
Safaris last for approximately four hours and the Lompoc Wild Horse and Burro Safari is scheduled for 3 p.m. - 7 p.m (dark).
Minimum suggested fee: $200 per person.
A minimum of four participants are required to hold the Lompoc Wild Horse and Burro Safari.
Learn more about the equines you are likely to meet:
Black Moon is a strikingly beautiful black Sulphur Springs stallion. Of all the horses found free-ranging on the American landscape, the Sulphur Springs horses have the most similar DNA to the primitive Iberian Sorraia horses. True to his Iberian descent, this pure black horse looks like a Lusitano stallion. He is magnificent and 100% wild. #5398, now Black Moon, is a 20-year-old black stallion. RTF made sure that this stallion, who spent his entire life in the Utah Mountain wilderness, would not end up falling through the cracks. He and a 15-year-old bay stallion (#5422), who we have now named Merlin, had no bids at all and faced an uncertain future, so we spoke up for them and had them brought to the sanctuary. Merlin has a difficult time seeing and depends on Black Moon a lot. Photo by: Irene Vejar
Elvis is a very metallic gold palomino stallion from the Calico Complex. He shimmers in the sun. His estimated DOB is 2004. Elvis was one of over 1,900 wild horses captured during the devastating 2010 roundup in the Calico Mountains Complex of Nevada. After a grueling helicopter stampede on January 20th, 2010, Elvis was chased into the trap and lost his freedom forever. Exhausted, confused and without his family by his side, we can only imagine what he was experiencing.
At 9:40 a.m. on the sunny morning of Dec. 16, 2018, Stella gave birth to this pretty filly – an early holiday present for all of us here at Return to Freedom. Because RTF uses the fertility control vaccine PZP, births at the sanctuary are a rare but happy event. Stella is what we call a "non-responder" to PZP, so she may foal every few years. Confident little Nora has already shown herself to be independent, curious and smart. She began whinnying at the feed truck when she was less than a week old, even though she wasn't yet eating hay. Photo by: Irene Vejar
Saturday, June 27, 2020
3:30 PM PDT - 7:00 PM PDT
Native Herd Members, Full Horse Sponsors, Sanctuary Horse Sponsors, and Freedom Horse Sponsors receive an additional 10% off programs, events, and merchandise.
Refund and Cancellation Policy: If you’re unable to attend your program or the program is postponed or rescheduled to a date you’re unable to attend, your payment may be applied to a credit for a future program’s registration for yourself or someone you designate, Return to Freedom store merchandise, or conversion to a much appreciated donation to Return to Freedom for the care and feeding of the sanctuary’s resident wild horses and burros.
Saturday, June 27, 2020
3:30 PM PDT - 7:00 PM PDT