On a quiet stretch of dry riverbed in Riverside County, California, a bay gelding stood trembling under the harsh sun. His body carried visible scars. His posture revealed exhaustion. Alone and weak, he had been left behind with little chance of recovery.
But this was not the end of his story.
It was the beginning of something extraordinary.
This is the story of Ulysses and the sanctuary that gave him a second chance, a place in Southern California called Hanaeleh Horse Rescue. It is also a story about resilience, rehabilitation, and the growing movement to protect vulnerable horses across the United States.
A Sanctuary Born from a Childhood Dream
In 2004, Elizabeth Zarkos founded Hanaeleh Horse Rescue in Orange County, California. The name “Hanaeleh” was inspired by the song Puff the Magic Dragon, which her mother used to sing to her. She created her own spelling of the mythical land known as Honah Lee, imagining it as a safe haven far from hardship.
Her mission was clear: to provide a peaceful refuge for horses who had nowhere else to go.
Elizabeth had loved horses since childhood and dreamed of creating a sanctuary. That dream became reality when she established what remains the only all-breed horse rescue in Orange County.
Hanaeleh focuses on horses that are elderly, injured, emotionally fragile, or otherwise considered unrideable. Many of them arrive after facing neglect or severe hardship. Others are surrendered by owners who can no longer provide care.
Unlike performance barns or traditional adoption programs, Hanaeleh operates with one guiding principle: the horses’ needs come first.
“There is no set agenda,” Elizabeth has explained in interviews. “The horses’ needs are put before anything else.”
The Rescue of Ulysses
Among the many horses Elizabeth has helped, one stands out.
Ulysses, a 13-year-old Appendix gelding, was discovered abandoned in a dry riverbed. His face, back, and legs bore scars from previous mistreatment. Reports indicated he had endured harsh handling before being left behind.
Animal control officers picked him up and transported him to a shelter. Due to neurological complications believed to be connected to past trauma, he was scheduled for euthanasia.
Hanaeleh had arrived at the shelter to retrieve another horse when a volunteer pleaded with Elizabeth to consider taking Ulysses as well.
Despite the uncertainty, she agreed.
He could barely stand steadily on all four legs. His condition was fragile. Elizabeth contacted her veterinarian for advice and received a simple but powerful response: “Give him today. And tomorrow, if you must make a difficult decision, at least he had today.”
That single day turned into ten years.
Rehabilitation Through Patience
Ulysses did not transform overnight. Recovery from severe neglect or trauma is rarely immediate.
He required careful medical oversight, nutritional support, and gradual emotional rebuilding. Over time, his strength improved. His neurological symptoms stabilized. His personality began to surface.
Today, Ulysses still lives at Hanaeleh. He enjoys rolling in the dirt, lifting his heels in playful bursts, and accepting treats from volunteers.
Some reminders of his past remain. He cannot be tied comfortably, likely due to previous negative associations. However, when offered a bucket of hay pellets, he stands calmly for grooming.
Elizabeth often notes that one of the most remarkable aspects of Ulysses is his gentle nature. Despite his past, he shows no hostility toward people.
His story reflects a powerful truth recognized by many equine behavior specialists: with time, consistency, and compassionate care, horses can regain trust.
Understanding Equine Trauma and Recovery
Horses are highly sensitive animals. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, horses rely heavily on environmental cues and human interaction. Repeated stress or harsh handling can create long-term behavioral challenges.
However, research and rehabilitation practices also demonstrate that horses are capable of emotional recovery when provided with stable environments, appropriate medical care, and patient handling.
Sanctuaries like Hanaeleh work closely with veterinarians and equine professionals to address both physical and emotional needs.
Common rehabilitation steps may include:
Gradual refeeding programs to restore weight and muscle tone
Veterinary diagnostics to evaluate neurological or musculoskeletal concerns
Consistent, calm human interaction to rebuild trust
Enrichment and turnout to encourage natural behaviors
Recovery timelines vary widely. Some horses adjust within months. Others require years of structured support.
The Broader Issue of Horse Rescue in California
California has one of the largest horse populations in the United States. However, rising land costs, stable closures, and economic pressures have increased the number of horses needing rehoming or sanctuary placement.
Elizabeth notes that Orange County has been especially impacted by stable closures in recent years. When facilities shut down, horse owners often face difficult decisions. Not every owner has the resources to relocate or maintain care elsewhere.
Organizations like Hanaeleh rely on partnerships with other rescues and auction intervention networks to identify horses in urgent need.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, equine rescue organizations across the country face growing demand, especially during economic downturns.
Sanctuaries not only provide refuge but also educate communities about responsible horse ownership, long-term planning, and proper veterinary care.
Why Some Horses Remain at Sanctuaries Permanently
Not all rescued horses are suitable for adoption.
Hanaeleh specializes in cases involving complex emotional or health challenges. Some horses are elderly. Others have chronic conditions requiring specialized management. A few, like Ulysses, may live comfortably but are not appropriate for riding.
Permanent sanctuary placement ensures they can live peacefully without pressure to perform or produce.
This model differs from rescues focused primarily on retraining and rehoming. Both approaches are valuable, but sanctuaries like Hanaeleh fill a critical gap for horses considered the “most in need.”
The Power of Compassionate Care
Ulysses’ transformation was not driven by dramatic intervention. It was built on routine.
Daily feeding.
Gentle grooming.
Consistent medical monitoring.
A calm environment.
Over time, these steady acts of care allowed his playful personality to emerge.
Visitors often describe him as goofy and affectionate. He interacts willingly with volunteers and enjoys attention. His presence has become a symbol of resilience within the sanctuary.
Stories like his highlight an important concept in animal welfare: recovery does not erase the past, but it can create a future.
Community Support and Ongoing Challenges
Running a horse sanctuary requires extensive resources. Feed, veterinary care, land maintenance, and staffing create significant operational costs.
Hanaeleh depends on donations, volunteer support, and partnerships within the equine community. Calls for help continue to arrive regularly.
Elizabeth remains committed to helping horses that have limited options. Her focus stays on those most vulnerable.
As she has shared, many horses arriving at Hanaeleh are facing uncertain outcomes elsewhere due to medical or behavioral complexity.
The sanctuary’s work demonstrates how grassroots efforts can make meaningful differences at the local level.
A Reflection on Resilience and Responsibility
Ulysses’ story began in a dry riverbed, under difficult circumstances. It continued because someone chose to pause, to listen, and to act.
Animal rescue often involves quiet perseverance rather than dramatic heroism. It is built on long-term commitment.
Horses, like many animals, respond to stability and kindness. When given time, they often reveal personalities shaped not only by hardship, but by remarkable adaptability.
Human curiosity drives us to ask how an animal who experienced severe neglect can remain gentle. Science offers partial answers rooted in temperament, neurobiology, and environment.
But perhaps part of the answer lies in something simpler.
When given safety, living beings tend to move toward it.
Sanctuaries like Hanaeleh remind us that second chances are possible. They also remind us that responsible animal stewardship requires planning, education, and compassion.
Ulysses will spend the rest of his life in a place designed for peace. His story stands as a testament not just to survival, but to the impact of patient, consistent care.
As communities continue to face economic and environmental pressures, conversations around equine welfare will remain essential. Curiosity, empathy, and responsible action can shape better outcomes for animals in need.
In the end, stories like Ulysses’ encourage us to reflect on the role humans play in the lives of animals.
When we choose care over indifference, healing becomes possible.
Sources
American Association of Equine Practitioners. Guidelines on equine welfare and rehabilitation practices.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Resources on horse rescue and responsible ownership.
California Department of Food and Agriculture. Data on equine populations and industry trends.