How 2 horses went from stranded survivors to friends

Stranded on a remote beach of Lake Powell in Arizona, with nothing but wind and water for company, a lone mare clung to survival. No herd. No shelter. No one to nuzzle or nudge. Just Solo — living up to her name.

Now, with hooves planted firmly in the red dirt of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s Horse Haven, Solo is slowly beginning to trade solitude for something softer: safety, curiosity, and the quiet comfort of companionship.

Solo’s path to the Sanctuary was no easy one. Her rescue from Lake Powell was a joint effort by Best Friends, the National Park Service, the Navajo Nation, and a few kindhearted Arizona locals who had been delivering hay to her for more than 18 months and ultimately spearheaded the rescue effort.

At first, there was cautious hope she might make her way out on her own when the water receded. But as the seasons passed and she remained stranded, it became clear that help would have to come to her. Coordinating access across shifting shorelines, tribal lands, and protected areas took time and patience. But once everything aligned, the team moved quickly.

[The courageous journey of a quirky, resilient horse]

What followed was an epic journey: a boat ride, a trailer, and a whole lot of heart. It took four hours just to get Solo from the beach into the trailer on the boat, followed by a 90-minute drive to the Sanctuary.

“It was a very collaborative effort to rescue this one horse,” says Jen Reid, senior manager of Horse Haven.

But even after she arrived, Solo’s journey was far from over. She still carried the invisible weight of solitude — wary of humans, hesitant to trust. She needed someone who could help her bridge that gap. Enter: Emma.  

Emma’s story began on those same rugged shores. She, too, was rescued from Lake Powell — only her journey included a foal at her side and a 14-hour rescue full of protective mama energy. Her filly, Marina, has since been adopted. And Emma has settled into the gentle rhythm of life in the red rock canyons of her home-between-homes at the Sanctuary.  

When Jen was looking for the right pasture pal for Solo, Emma came to mind immediately — and not because of their shared origin story, though it’s a poetic coincidence.

“It doesn’t have so much to do with similar experience; we just thought that personality-wise, they’d be a good match,” says Jen. Emma’s quiet confidence is a balm for Solo’s slightly wary outlook. And that confidence seems to be rubbing off.

“So far, it’s been a great success,” says Jen. “The fact that Emma loves people has already helped Solo be more curious about us.”

[A mustang’s breakthrough]

Solo still hangs back — but now, she watches closely when Emma approaches humans. She sees her new friend enjoying treats and kind hands and seems to be quietly weighing her options. Just recently, Emma ambled up to Jen for a nuzzle, and after a moment, Solo took a few brave steps forward, curious but cautious.

It’s a small gesture. But for a horse who spent a year and a half on a deserted island, it’s monumental. “Emma’s helping her come out of her shell,” says Jen. “She’s given Solo more confidence with humans.”

For now, they’re settling into the rhythm of shared days. Different as they are, they’re meeting each other in the middle — where friendship lives.

And while Solo’s future is still unfolding, one thing is certain: She doesn’t have to face it alone. Beneath the towering cliffs of Angel Canyon, two mares — once stranded — now stand together, forging something beautiful out of all that came before.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.