Wild horses at Colorado prison!

[DQ Eventer]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090312/ap_on_re_us/taming_mustangs_taming_prisoners;_ylt=AhPgJTsGWs9f Ct442hvsL5JvzwcF

[FatPalomino]

Our mustang came from there. I still have the pictures of the inmates working with him. They did a GREAT job!

[BEARCAT]

That's where I adopted mine from. The had 1000 horses there 3 years ago - looks like that number has doubled...

[fabulousfred]

they've been doing this for years. it's a great program.

[4Martini]

For those of you not in the market for another horse, they also have a WONDERFUL program with dogs that they get from shelters and donations and train them:
http://www.coloradoci.com/?puppy

We got our dog there and she is THE BEST DOG EVER!

Here's a link to their wild horse program with adoptable horses:
http://www.coloradoci.com/ (go to wild horses on the scroll bar on the left.)

[cu.at.x]

Very cool!

[PinkPonies]

I've visted the horses there, almost took one home even - a beautiful roan filly. Such a good program. Someday when I have the time and money for a good trail horse in addition to my show horses, I hope to adopt from them - I've always wanted to.

I second the dog adoption program too. A good friend got her Dutch Shephard from them who was rescued from a puppy mill. Wonderful, wonderful dog!

[Plumcreek]

Funny story about that. Good HJ trainer friend wanted to buy her talented pony rider daughters a project mustang from the prison program. She had the high bid on a likely large pony sized prospect, and the prisoner who had been working with the gelding was there when she went back to the pens to see the new purchase. He said the standard line (says trainer) of "I have been working with this horse, he is coming along well and should make a good horse for you". She looks at him and says, "OK, now tell me all the bad stuff". Prisoner looks uncomfortable and says not a big deal, but horsie had a habit of jumping out of the pen. HJ trainer perks up and says "tell me how he jumps out - like THIS (with arms back behind her sides), or THIS (with hands curled up in front of her chin)" Prisoner puts his arms and hands up in perfect hunter form and says "Yes, he always jumps out like THIS..."

[Parker_Rider]

I've toured that prison as a field trip with my sociology class in high school!! We didn't get to see the whole prison....... just a few areas, and we got to talk to the inmates, but this is THE program to participate in if you're inside. Most of the inmates we got to sit down and talk with really loved working with the dogs and horses and it really helped them tap into their "human" side. It's a great program for everyone involved.

[FatPalomino]

Prisoner puts his arms and hands up in perfect hunter form and says "Yes, he always jumps out like THIS..."

But did he go onto jump with the trainer's daughter like that? Don't leave us hanging!

When I was getting our 14 hand mustang used to fly spraying, he leaped out of the (what I think is tiny) 50' roundpen. We were just going around in circles until he was thinking of stopping to let me spray him. Cantering around the edge of the roundpen, he leaped out the 4' gate, sideways, without hesitation. He was so smooth and quick about it, I wouldn't have noticed. That is, if he didn't get caught on both stifles on his way out ;) He was fine. Surprisingly enough, I expected a catastrophe the next day when it came to be fly spray time. But he stood perfectly still. I guess he knew jumping out wouldn't work.

I haven't gotten time to try him over real jumping fences, though!

[Somantu]

I just spent the last hour and a half watching a documentary about this very topic. The Wild Horse Redemption aired on CBC tonight – it's touching and insightful. See it if you have a chance.

http://www.pointgreypictures.com/wildhorse/wildhorse.htm

[Plumcreek]

[QUOTE=FatPalomino;3943756]But did he go onto jump with the trainer's daughter like that? Don't leave us hanging!
QUOTE]


The party where she told that story was many years ago and I never asked how it turned out. I will try to remember next time I see her.

[FalseImpression]

I just spent the last hour and a half watching a documentary about this very topic. The Wild Horse Redemption aired on CBC tonight – it's touching and insightful. See it if you have a chance.

http://www.pointgreypictures.com/wildhorse/wildhorse.htm

I watched and taped it too... it was really beautiful... the horses, the scenery, the experienced trainers teaching the inmates... I hope these guys really find jobs with horses once they get out...