Located just outside of Park City, Liberty Sanctuary is a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to the reclamation and rehabilitation of neglected horses and horses facing an untimely death from kill pens. Its mission is to offer a haven of hope and renewal for equines that have been discarded or mistreated.
The sanctuary’s maiden voyage into equine rescue in 2023 safely retrieved horses from kill pens in Bowie, Texas, and Eaton, Colorado. The rescue was spearheaded by founder Debra West, who set up the refuge on her 80-acre property in Wasatch County. “We had this land and our own horses, and as I was researching the issue [of horse slaughter], it blew my mind,” says West. 

According to the US Department of Agriculture, it’s estimated that more than 20,000 American horses were slaughtered in 2022, and more than 90 percent of horses sent to slaughter were in good condition and could have lived productive lives. “So many young and healthy horses who could contribute to our economy are being slaughtered,” says West. “Most of the horses we have here are young.” 
Liberty Sanctuary has a team of individuals whose dedication to the cause knows no bounds. Understanding that physical health is just one piece of the puzzle, its custom equine wellness program—developed by Eric Kraut, a certified equine rehabilitation practitioner and veterinary technician—is tailored to address the holistic well-being of each horse, ensuring that their recovery encompasses both body and spirit.

At the core of its mission is the aspiration for every rescued horse to realize its full potential and embark on a new, fulfilling chapter in life—hopefully through adoption. This vision is brought to life through Liberty’s training program, led by Ashley Dudas of The Savvy Equestrian. 

Advocacy work is another important component of West’s mission, including lobbying in Washington, DC, and beyond, for the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. The bipartisan bill would permanently ban horse slaughter in the US and prohibit the exportation of horses for slaughter.

West notes that US slaughterhouses were closed in 2007 but a loophole allows slaughter of American horses to still happen. “Now they are sending horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter,” she explains. West notes that many horse auctions have “kill buyers” who are bidding on horses to sell them again to the slaughter pipeline. “We pay a premium when purchasing from a kill buyer or slaughterhouse. They tack on so much money because they know people like us are out there. There is a whole industry doing this,” says West. “If people would donate or sell their unwanted horse to a sanctuary, it would be much better for the economy.” 

A fundraiser for Liberty Sanctuary will be held on August 16 at Promontory Club.