In a Colorado correctional facility, prisoners receive education on the skills of breaking and handling wild mustangs
In the high plains of Colorado, the Four Mile Correctional Facility houses more than just inmates serving their sentences. It's also home to a unique programme run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), where incarcerated individuals train wild horses on a 6,000-acre complex.
Two such inmates, Justin Leonard and Matthew Kurvink, who are serving sentences for armed robbery, have found a surprising bond with these animals. Their friendship and the lessons they've learned from the horses were recently highlighted in a conversation that was provided by NPR.
Justin Leonard, who has been incarcerated for about eight years, shared that working with horses has helped him learn to respect life more and become more caring and patient. He found the horses intimidating at first, especially up close, but he's come to see them as gentle creatures that want to be loved and nurtured.
For Leonard, the clarity of mind from working with horses has helped him rebuild a relationship with his daughter, whom he's missed out on much of her life.
Matthew Kurvink, on the other hand, came to the horses with a different perspective. He used to believe there were more bad things in life than good, but he's learning that people help each other and is confident in their abilities to regain freedom. Kurvink fell in love with horses quickly due to the smell of the grasses and the sound of the Arkansas River.
Kurvink's horse, Hollywood, was initially not very cooperative. But with patience and understanding, Hollywood became a trusted companion. Kurvink does not want his life to be based on dominance and fear, and he believes that results with the horses are not achieved through such methods either.
Leonard and Kurvink's work with the horses involves trimming hooves and running them up and down the alleys. Their bond grew stronger as they faced challenges together, and they consider each other as good friends.
The transcript of their conversation, which may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future, will be archived in the Library of Congress. It's a testament to the transformative power of these animals and the programme that brings them and the inmates together.
Each horse at the facility has a unique personality, making the experience even more enriching for those involved. The programme offers a chance for personal growth, teaching inmates about responsibility, care, and the value of patience and understanding.
In a world where dominance and fear can often seem to be the norm, the Four Mile Correctional Facility's horse programme stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that change is possible and that respect for life can be learned and cultivated.
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