Training Wild Horses With Convict Cowboys

At the Northern Nevada Correctional Facility, prison inmates train wild mustangs to become domesticated horses. Using modern gentle-taming methods, inmates are taught proper horsemanship and how to ride and care for the animals. Once trained, the horses are auctioned off to the public and have been used by local and federal agencies. Head horse trainer Hank Curry has been with the program for more than 15 years and has witnessed firsthand the program’s rehabilitative power.

This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.

[christerry]

I spent 6 yrs training horses under Hank Curry while I served a 10 year sentence. What you just seen is truly the most amazing program that any could imagine. I have personally been saved by the horses and this program. I could fill up hours with stories of Hank and this program. I have been out 7 years and own my own business and started a family and I can honestly tell you it’s because of what I learned in this program. This is what rehabilitation is really all about, nothing easy and when you get it, you respect it and hold on to it

[bushidotestu]

The amount of jobs that convicts are able to and the amount you see on this channel is honestly inspiring

[layoverbear]

i used to break wild horses at my old ranch and i met some of these guys. they are all lovely and they care so much about their mustang. ive seen some guys get so much better just because of it. thanks to you guys for showing it!

[kapaa]

There's alot of parallels between the horses and inmates, truly inspiring. I believe this is how we teach people there's good in the world.

[nomore]

I was in that program. Hank's a great guy. It's funny how much you can learn from a guy that only speaks in common sense terms. And really only when he needs to.
Happy to see he's still around.

[shevaankapuwatte]

Excellent work. Way to give these guys a second chance. Trust is something we all yearn to have and once it's broken once it's difficult to piece it up.

[christinamarshall]

I love to see prisons that have programs to actually rehabilitate, not just lock people up, and do nothing! I'm glad to see more, and more prisons realizing that's the only way to make a difference in someone's life. I wonder what kinds of programs they offer women? Are there any? Each time I've seen the cat, dog, and now horse program, it's only with male inmates.

[NaturalBridge]

Every prison in the US should adopt this program

[brynnmckenzie]

Ive watched the movie on netflix amd i was so amazed about their horse training and bonding with the wild horses

[chantallamb]

I love this type of thing, horses saved my life from ending up in prisons, nice to see horses can also be good for people who already misguided, a bond with a horse is the best gift to have
Good job guys🧡♥️🧡♥️🧡

[Sarah-lgdb]

ironic how the police use horses trained by convicts

[suitcasesal]

Horses are the most healing of all animals. We need programs like this in all prisons and also in the inner cities. If we had programs like this and horse facilities in the cities at low cost, we would have a 50 to 90 % drop in crime and save money on prisons and inmate upkeep. Some things in life are worth the investment.

[PHILLYPHILable]

This needs to be a full reality tv series. I find it fascinating.

[FhCasberg]

Beautiful surroundings! Animals don't judge people like we do, energy is all they care about and the bond created between human and horse is strong and spiritual, it teaches us something about ourselves. This is an excellent rehabilitation program, many non-convicts would benefit of this as well. Good stuff

[dalicloud]

its unfortunate to say that this is an inspirational idea because there should be more programs like this. a convict maybe guilty of a crime but they are most definitely still a capable human being.

[syddasquid]

Faith in humanity restored!! This is the best thing I have seen in a long time!! What a great organization. Makin cowboys outta criminals, hot damn

[powellpker]

Rehabilitation not incarceration! yes america you're finally getting it.

[saddleupxox]

This is such a good idea! So inspiring!!

[sketchalater]

It's my absolute dream to live in the desert and have a mustang to go on trails with. Definitely for my first horse, I plan on getting a trained mustang, and I've looked at the inmate trained mustang catalog, and there are some really nice ones for riders of all levels. I definitely want my horse to come from here. And maybe with more experience I can eventually adopt a wild mustang.

[TLawRaw]

no more tough on crime, we need more of this and more humane ways for people