Hutchinson Correctional Center
Through a unique 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 offenders in a rehabilitation program.
This arrangement adds value to the horses while allowing the agency to offer a gentled and trained horse for $125.
In addition to benefitting the horses and the adopting public, the training program at Hutchinson also helps prepare offenders for their eventual reintroduction into society. Approximately 14-18 minimum security offenders participate in the program at any given time. As they progress through the program, offenders 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 inclement weather. Offenders built the entire facility using donated materials, including surplus highway guardrails from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
All untrained animals are eligible for the $1000 incentive. The Adoption Incentive Program allows qualified adopters to receive up to $1,000 when adopting an eligible wild horse or burro on or after March 12, 2019. Under this program, adopters are eligible to receive:
- $500 within 60 days of adoption of an untrained wild horse and burro
- $500 within 60 days of titling the animal.
Adoption Details:
The BLM must pre-approve adopters at the Hutchinson facility. Adoption fees for horses at Hutchinson are payable by check or money order only (no cash, credit, or debit cards). The facility is located 1/4 mile west of Hwy 61 on G Street in Hutchinson, Kansas. A $25 fee applies at the time of adoption.
Mail applications to:
BLM - Oklahoma Field Office
Attn: Wild Horse & Burro Program
Bureau of Land Management
201 Stephenson Parkway Suite 1200
Norman, OK 73072