Hutchinson Correctional Facility
Saving Horses—Changing Men

Photo from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility
Through a partnership with the Kansas Department of Corrections and Kansas Correctional Industries, the BLM offers gentled wild horses for adoption at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. These are animals that have been halter- or saddle-trained by inmates in a rehabilitation program.
 
The partnership with Hutchinson adds value to the horses that BLM offers for adoption, and it helps inmates develop important life skills – such as discipline and respect – that will aid in their eventual reintroduction into society.
 
Approximately 14-18 minimum security inmates participate in the program at any given time. As they progress through the program, inmates move from providing basic care for the horses (feeding, watering, cleaning), to actual training, under the supervision and guidance of professional trainers and correctional staff.
 
The Hutchinson facility is designed to hold 350 horses in multiple enclosures and pens. In addition to boarding and training stalls, there are multiple riding rings and a large enclosed building that can be used for training during adverse weather. The entire facility was built by inmates using donated materials, including surplus highway guardrails from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The program at Hutchinson is managed with the goal of being self-supporting. All of the adoption fees for horses adopted through Hutchinson are folded back into the training program, with the exception of $125 which the BLM must collect by law for each horse adopted. The fee structure for these horses reflects the value of training each has received. Fees for saddle-trained horses offered for adoption at the Hutchinson facility normally range between $500-$600, but may be higher (up to $1,000) in certain instances. Halter-trained horses are typically offered for less. Hutchinson-trained horses are occasionally shipped to satellite adoption events held throughout the region. Two to four trained horses may be available at a particular event, where fees are determined by competitive bid. Starting bids for trained horses at a satellite adoption range between $200-$400, again, depending on the level of training each horse has received.

Untrained adult and yearling horses in holding at Hutchinson may also be adopted for a lesser fee. Receive $500 from BLM when you adopt an adult untrained horse (4 years old +) from Hutchinson. Click here for details.

Adoption Details

Adopters must be pre-approved by the BLM to adopt horses at the Hutchinson facility.

Adoption fees for trained wild horses at Hutchinson are payable in cash or check only (no credit or debit cards).

Click here to download an application which you can submit to the BLM for approval.

Mail applications to:

BLM - Oklahoma Field Office
Attn: Wild Horse & Burro Program
221 N. Service Rd.
Moore, OK 73160

Note: Be sure to include a return address.

Appointments are necessary to view and adopt horses at the Hutchinson facility. To schedule an appointment, call 620-728-3296.
 
Hours of operation
Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
 
Directions
The facility is located 1/4 mile west of Hwy 61 on G Street in Hutchinson, Kansas. 
 
Hutchinson and the BLM hold a two-day Open House at the facility each May, where 12-20 trained horses are offered for adoption. Inmates also conduct training demos all weekend. Adoption applications can be submitted and approved on site during the Open House, and a competitive bid process is used to determine adoption fees. Click here for Open House dates and times.