meet the people behind the rescues

Debra West is a seasoned professional and horsewoman with an authentic love for animals and a true passion for protecting the vulnerable. She acquired the property known as Liberty Ranch in 2015 and lovingly developed it with her husband, Scott Horner, creating an infrastructure to accommodate animals in need. This was the foundation of Liberty Sanctuary which she founded in 2022 after identifying America's most vulnerable equines as a population in great need of relief, protection and advocacy. 92.3% of equines sent to slaughter are mostly healthy according to the USDA.

“Our goal is to improve the lives of America's most vulnerable equines.  We do that by rescuing some from the slaughter industry and advocating for enhanced equine protections on a national level. The animals we rescue are transported to our Utah ranch where we work to build trust so they can have a chance at fulfilling lives. We are on the horse’s timetable – trust is built slowly and steadily. The eventual goal is to rehome most into qualified and caring forever homes,” Debra explained. “The American Equine is an icon of freedom, a partner in developing this country. We owe the horse a lot and the mistreatment and slaughter of these gracious animals is abhorrent and simply must end.” 

Always an animal lover, Debra moved to Utah from the east coast over 20 years ago where she left a career in marketing. She has enjoyed working for companies like Warner Records, BMG, Viacom, Sony Music, Mark Burnett Productions and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. She has also contributed to a variety of local nonprofits before launching Liberty Sanctuary. Debra is an enthusiastic and versatile professional and has had the opportunity to work with a range of respected colleagues from artists to C-suite executives. 

At home in the mountains, Debra enjoys life with her husband and animals, skiing, photography and exploring the American West.  debra@libertysanctuary.org

Ashley Dudas is a student of The Horse. Specializing in Equine Behavior and Psychology, with a solid background in Natural Horsemanship, as well as young horse training and development. Ashley started her career with horses in the English Performance World, when she met a horse who demanded she change her approach entirely. At first she thought the horse was the problem…as it turns out, the horse that changed her life was just terrified of the world, and completely misunderstood. Once Ashley’s eyes were opened to the world of Horsemanship as an Art Form, the relationship with her first Super Horse was saved. Ashley is dedicated to helping horses and the humans who love them reach their full potential. Her passion is to help individuals develop the habits and skills they need to effectively communicate and understand their equine partners and achieve the level of horsemanship and partnership they are dreaming of! Ashley decided to move to Utah with her fiancé, Chance, and her horse Romeo exclusively to work with Liberty’s horses and people. Ashley offers in-person training to the public and online at TheSavvyEquestrian.com.

Dacia

Juli

Scott grew up in rural New Jersey and made his way out west in the mid 80’s while serving in the United States Air Force.  After a decade in the Salt Lake Valley, he relocated to Heber City and began caring for and enjoying horses with his wife, Debra.   

While typically more at home setting World Records on his racing motorcycle with several hundred horsepower beneath him , Scott has found much joy with just a single horsepower and interacting with the animals and volunteers. 

At Liberty Sanctuary, Scott manages daily operations and handles many of the infrastructure projects.   In the corrals his calm energy and patience working with the horses is very beneficial in building trust and positive human interaction with all of the rescues. With equines and other animals we rescue, Scott has a true gift and plays a leadership role in making animals feel secure. 

From a young age, I found my passion for horses through reining competitions. As I grew, so did my love and dedication to these magnificent animals. My days start at 5:30 AM, tending to and caring for 15+ horses, ensuring they are ready for the day ahead. From turning them out and grooming to halter training and groundwork, I've honed my skills through years of experience. But it's not just about the work; it's about the connection. My favorite moments are the quiet ones, going on trail rides, feeling the rhythm of nature beneath us, and being truly one with my horse. There's nothing quite like that bond. I’m moved by Liberty Sanctuary’s work and rescues – horses who haven’t experienced that positive human interaction until arriving at Liberty. With a degree in Business Marketing, I have cultivated an extensive background in brand management, relationship building, networking, and content creation. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with well-known brands such as Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret, Puma, Converse, Fenty Beauty, Nike, and many more. I even had the opportunity to star in one of Doja Cat's music videos as well as skateboard in the middle of a Paris fashion week runway show. My diverse skill set, combined with my dedication to empowering women in sports and business, have been the cornerstone of my career.  I have extensive experience as a spokesperson and content creator and aim to lend my skills and platform to expand Liberty/EquineIQ’s reach and mission of establishing enhanced national equine protections.

Dr. Blair Lybbert is the owner of Park City Equine and spent his youth helping with his family’s horse-training business in Alberta, Canada, and later in Gainesville, TX.

He attended veterinary school at Texas A&M University after graduating from Brigham Young University in 2004 and relocated his family to Elko NV upon completion of a year-long equine-only internship at Retama Equine Hospital in San Antonio TX.

The Lybbert family arrived in Utah during the summer of 2014 to establish Park City Equine Center. Dr. Lybbert and his wife Heidi became the owners of PCEC in October 2019 and enjoy continuing to grow the practice and serve this part of Utah.  https://www.parkcityequinecenter.com/

Josh began practicing law at the international law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago in 2002. There he focused his practice on preparation and trial before federal and state courts of cases involving a broad range of business-oriented substantive law issues. Those issues included breach of contract, torts, products liability, employment matters, construction litigation, real estate and insurance overage. From 2006 to 2012, Josh continued his litigation practice in Atlanta, most recently at Rogers & Hardin, LLP. He has experience defending financial institutions, manufacturers and sellers of consumer products and services, and other large corporate clients. He has represented them in individual suits, class actions, qui tam claims and other complex cases in venues across the nation, including courts located in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, California, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Texas, Delaware, New Mexico, Louisiana and Utah. Josh has also cost-effectively resolved numerous commercial disputes for clients by pursuing creative litigation strategies, and by obtaining favorable results short of trial through arbitration, mediation and negotiation.  https://heberlawyers.com/

As a partner in the accounting firm, Bradshaw-Smith. Jeff has over 15 years of experience in accounting. He previously worked at a large multi-national firm, focusing on SEC Audits and Internal Process Controls. Jeff has expertise in many industries including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, service, construction, and e-commerce. He earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Utah Valley University and a Master’s of Business Administration from University of Utah, Jeff is also licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.  https://jeffbradshawcpa.com/