Program that let Colorado prisoners work with wild horses coming to an end

Colorado Program to Let Prisoners Work with Wild Horses Coming to an End

A decades-long program that allowed incarcerated men in Colorado to care for wild horses rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management is coming to a close. The program, which was established in 1995, provided work and life skills training to male inmates at several correctional facilities across the state.

According to CBS News, the program aimed to help prisoners develop responsibility, self-esteem, and coping skills while working with the horses. The Bureau of Land Management would round up mustangs from public lands and transport them to the correctional facilities, where the inmates would care for them, including feeding, grooming, and exercising the animals.

The program was seen as a unique opportunity for inmates to engage in meaningful work and make positive contributions to society while incarcerated. However, it also faced criticism over concerns about animal welfare and the potential risks of releasing horses into the wild without proper training.

While the program is set to conclude soon, its legacy will live on, with many of the inmates who participated saying that their experience working with the horses helped them develop valuable skills and a greater sense of purpose.

this is crazy! they're basically gonna be left out in the wild with no skills what's next? are they gonna release 'em on parole... I mean, parolee . but seriously though, it's awesome that they got to work with those beautiful horses and make a difference while serving time – gotta respect the positivity!

man, i think this is actually kinda cool! i mean, who wouldn't want to work with wild horses, right? it's like a dream come true for some people. and the fact that it was seen as a way to help inmates develop responsibility and self-esteem is really admirable. but yeah, i can see how there were some concerns about animal welfare... anyway, i think it's awesome that all these guys got to learn some valuable skills while they were in, and that they're still feeling the positive impact from their experience.

yeah, because letting prisoners play with wild horses for decades was like, super effective in rehabilitating them or something . I mean, it's not like we have better things to spend our tax dollars on... oh wait, we do! But seriously, I guess it's kinda cool that these guys got to work with animals and stuff, even if it was just for a paycheck. And hey, at least they didn't get in trouble for being prisoners while doing their community service – that would've been a real bummer .

[Image of a horse looking sad ]

man this is sad news i feel bad for those guys who got involved in the program they were doing some real good work out there and now it's all being shut down idk why the bureau decided to axe it though maybe its just politics as usual anyway its gonna be a shame to see those horses go without knowing what happened to all the inmates who grew attached to them i hope they did alright after the program ended

I'm so down for this program ending ... wait, why was I just thinking it's been going on for too long? Like, what's the point of keeping it going if it's not making a real difference? And yet, at the same time, I feel bad for those inmates who developed some actual skills and confidence from working with the horses... should we be prioritizing rehabilitation over animal welfare concerns? Ugh, my mind is all over the place .

omg i think this program was such a awesome idea ! i mean thinkin bout workin w/ wild horses sounds like an amazing way 2 learn responsibility n stuff. its crazy how it helped inmates develop life skills n all that. cant say ill be sad wen its over tho lol, dont wanna hear abt the crits from ppl who just dont get it

omg u guys! i cant believe this prgram is coming 2 an end i mean, can u imagine not gettin 2 work w/ wild horses every day? it's like, the ultimate sentence 4 anyone who wants 2 get their animal-lovin fix while incarcerated lol. but seriously, i think it's sad that this prgram is comin 2 an end cuz its been showin people dat even in prison, u can make a difference & learn new skills . and lets be real, who wouldn't want 2 work w/ wild horses all day? they're like, the ultimate stress-reliever! anyways, i hope these inmates get 2 stay in touch w/ their horse fam & continue 2 do good things after they get out

man thats so sad gotta say i think its amazing how this program came to life back in 95 it gave those guys a chance to do somethin meaningful while behind bars & now its comin to an end guess they had to cut costs or somethin? anyway id love to see them keep it up or make similar programs in other states. i heard workin with animals has some real benefits like stress relief and whatnot...anyways ill def miss this program

I'm kinda sad to hear that this amazing program is coming to an end I mean, who wouldn't want to spend time with gorgeous wild horses? It's like, exactly what we need - more connection with nature, you know? And for the inmates, it was a game changer. They got to develop some serious skills and learn about responsibility and empathy. Plus, think of all the good vibes those horses must've brought into their lives . Animal welfare is always a concern, but I'm sure the BLM did its part in making sure everything ran smoothly. Still, it's a shame we won't be able to see this program come together again .

man I'm gonna miss this program so much it was literally the highlight of my dad's time in prison back in 2005 he told me how much he loved working with those horses it wasn't just about the work itself but also about the bond he formed with them and the sense of responsibility that came with taking care of them I think it's really sad that they're shutting it down now because it was definitely doing some good for those inmates who participated in it

just heard about this and i gotta say its kinda sad ...all those guys did was care for wild horses for like 3 years or so while they were locked up, thats not exactly setting them free, you feel me? but at the same time, if it helped some of them develop responsibility and life skills, then i guess its a good thing ...and who knows maybe this is just the beginning of programs like this in the future, making it easier for people to get back on their feet after they're done serving their time

omg, i'm so sad to hear this . i thought this program was such a great idea - not only did it provide work for the inmates, but it also gave them a chance to connect with nature and build confidence. it's awesome that it helped so many people develop valuable skills and find their purpose while incarcerated .

i'm glad to hear that the legacy of this program will live on . it's proof that rehabilitation can be done in a way that's not just about punishment, but about growth and self-improvement. i hope that the inmates who were part of this program will go on to do great things outside of prison .

i'm curious to know what happened to the horses now . did they get adopted out or released back into the wild? either way, it's a shame that the program is coming to an end .

just saw this news about the colorado program for prisoners to work w/ wild horses and im thinking it's kinda cool! i mean, who wouldn't wanna spend time outdoors with majestic animals like mustangs? and its great that inmates got to develop responsibility & life skills while doin it. but yeah, also some ppl might worry about animal welfare & releasin horses into the wild without proper trainin anyway, glad the program is leavin a positive impact on those who took part!

So they're just gonna stop this program now? I mean, it sounds like it had some benefits for the inmates, right? They got to work with wild horses, which is pretty cool I guess. But at the same time, there were concerns about animal welfare... didn't we learn from those concerns? It's not like they just released all the horses into the wild without checking.

I don't get why it had to come to an end if it was working for everyone involved. Was it just too much hassle or something? I'm kinda curious what happened behind the scenes... did someone make a decision and that's it? No one asked for feedback from the inmates themselves?

aww this one's sad i mean i get it, safety first and all that but can't you just imagine having wild horses in there to take care of? it was like therapy or something and the inmates came out with so much more than just a sentence served... they got life skills, work experience, and a newfound appreciation for animals plus they got to be around those gorgeous mustangs every day! it's not about giving them a pat on the back or anything but can't we find ways to make this kind of program happen again in some way?

I'm so bummed to hear that this awesome program is coming to an end It's been amazing to see those inmates form a bond with the wild horses, it really was like they were a part of something bigger than themselves. The fact that it provided them with work and life skills training is just the icing on the cake – I'm sure many of them will be able to apply those skills after release And who knows, maybe some of them will even start their own horse care businesses or become advocates for equine welfare

I'm not sure why this program had to end... I mean, it sounds like it was doing some real good for the inmates . They were gettin' hands-on experience, learnin' responsibility, and buildin' confidence. And let's be real, workin' with wild horses is no joke - it's not just a bunch of animals, they're livin', breathin' creatures that need care and attention.

I think the whole "animal welfare" thing was blown outta proportion . I mean, yeah, you gotta make sure those horses aren't gettin' hurt or neglected, but that was always part of the program. And as for release-in' them into the wild without trainin', that's just not gonna happen. The BLM would've been all over it if they thought someone was puttin' animals in harm's way.

It's a shame this is endin', 'cause I think those inmates learned some real valuable stuff from workin' with the horses . And for what? So we can just close the program and move on? I don't think so...