THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WILD HORSES

  • Brittany Ference Executive Director of Great Escape Mustangs

    Brittany Ference

    Executive Director

  • A woman wearing a straw hat looking into a vehicle's side mirror in a rural outdoor setting.

    Michelle Sander

    Founder

  • A woman and a man at a social gathering, smiling for the camera, holding wine glasses, with a wooden ceiling and string lights in the background. The man is wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a reddish-orange jacket, while the woman has short blonde hair, glasses on her head, and a patterned scarf.

    Jim & Lori Weaver

    Sanctuary Partners

  • A woman with long blonde hair in a braid, wearing a cowboy hat and a blue plaid shirt, riding a brown horse with a saddle and reins, in an outdoor rural setting with a clear blue sky and distant mountains.

    Jana Leniger

    Wild Horse Partnership Program Trainer

    Chasing a Dream Equine

OUR HISTORY

In 2011, the dream of developing a new model to support mustangs came to life through Michelle’s vision. In honor of her father’s legacy, she built a model for on and off range support. The on range support wing of Great Escape, The SAND WASH ADVOCATE TEAM (SWAT) was formed in 2012. SWAT is a dedicated group of volunteers that support identifying the mustangs, cleaning up the Sand Wash Basin HMA and execute PZP darting efforts.

In the fall of 2019 SWAT became it’s own entity and are a 501c3 non profit working on behalf of Sand Wash Basin wild horses. We continue to support the efforts of SWAT and all that is done on range to provide meaningful, safe lives for mustangs. 

Today, our model serves the Mustangs needing off range support. We currently provide sanctuary for a wild herd of 30 Mustangs on a private 900 acre ranch east of Denver.

Our model focuses on empowering formerly wild horses to thrive on their domestic journey by supporting both sides of the partnership. Through ethical education, mentorship, and practical resources, we equip Mustang owners with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to better understand their horses, communicate clearly, navigate challenges, and build safe, trusting relationships that can last a lifetime.

We also recognize that thriving does not look the same for every horse. For Mustangs who need a different path, our sanctuary provides lifelong care with dignity, choice, and space to simply be horses. Together, our Education & Mentorship and Legacy Sanctuary programs create a more complete model of stewardship—one that honors the individual horse while helping humans take greater responsibility for the lives entrusted to them.

A herd of horses grazing in an open grassy field with a dense forest of pine trees in the background. Great Escape Mustangs Sanctuary land and horses.
mustang in training