Fall 2024

According to its mission statement, Sea Star “rescues, rehabilitates and provides lifetime sanctuary to ponies and horses at risk of need- less slaughter, who are old and/or injured, or who have been abandoned with nowhere to go…Sea Star Horse Sanctuary seeks to improve the quality of life of the horses at its sanctuary by providing specialized nutrition, proper exercise and the highest standard of vet- erinary and holistic care.” In addition, Sea Star gives community members—adults and chil- dren—the privilege of forming “transformative relationships between humans and horses.” Years ago, hospitality industry executive Sharon Regan began caring for troubled horses as a labor of love. Following her retirement, she took the step of obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and now serves as president and CEO of the organization. “I have a true, deep love and devotion for these magnificent beings,” she says. “I know this is my life’s purpose.” Caring for dis- tressed animals has always been a part of her life. “Growing up, my mother would always take in and care for strays or injured animals and most of them became part of our family. She learned this from my grandfather who was head game warden for the state of Wyoming. He brought home injured or orphaned animals for her to nurse back to health or until they were old enough to be re-released.” The sanctuary occupies more than eight bucolic and serene acres overlooking Point Lobos and Carmel Bay. Neat-as-a-pin stables sit above fenced and lush grassy areas where the resident horses (limited to 10 at any time) are free to graze together to their hearts’ content. “Horses are herd animals,” says Carmel Valley Master Horseman Ray Berta.“At Sea Star, Sharon is giving these horses a better life in every way possible. The way that they’re stabled and the environment she’s created is wonderful, as is the way she and her staff and volunteers handle and manage them.They have room to move around and grass to graze on.They’re taken care of in a way that’s more natural to the horse.” Berta has known Regan for years and has been involved in Sea Star since its beginnings. “I got my first horse in 1990 and met Ray at a horse clinic shortly after,” she says.“We forged a strong connection and have worked together since. He taught me how to foster a relationship with horses that allows us to move together.” Charles DeWeese is one of 20 dedicated and essential volunteers who keep the Sanctuary running. Peppy grazes on meticulously maintained lush grass in one of several fenced enclosures. This natural behavior greatly adds to the horses’ health and well-being. 138 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 4