Wild Horses, New Beginnings: Inside Wyoming Honor Farm Program

At the Wyoming Honor Farm, a unique program transforms human and equine lives. Since 1988, the Wild Horse Training Program has been giving inmates a shot at rehabilitation by teaching them the value of patience, persistence, and teamwork.

Working with wild horses, these men learn that respect and communication can tame even the wildest of spirits. Two formerly wild horses the inmates have trained will be available to purchase in Billings on June 8. Find details at the tail end of this article.

Inmates working with wild horses is a successful formula.

The program has a structured training regimen that benefits both the horses and their inmate trainers. The process begins with round pen work and progresses through halter training to the point where the horses can be saddled and ridden. Inspired by renowned trainers like Ray Hunt, Bryan Neubert, Pat Parelli, and Clinton Anderson, the techniques used have shown great success.

Inmates in the program start with chores.

When an inmate starts in the Wild Horse Training Program, he joins the feed crew or utility crew, getting familiar with the horses and training methods by observing and assisting. Once ready, he moves on to directly handling and gentling the horses under supervision.

Thousand of wild horses and inmates have participated in the program.

Travis Shoopman, the Farm Manager, is gearing up for his sixth wild horse adoption event, on June 8th at MetraPark in Billings. Alongside him is George Selig, the Wild Horse Supervisor, who oversees around 30 inmates working with the horses and burros at the facility. Both men are deeply grateful to the BLM, the local community, and everyone who supports the program.

Thanks to the dedication of the staff and the community's support, the Wild Horse Training Program has found homes for over 4,500 horses and burros and helped over 2,000 men on their path to rehabilitation.

The "grey" gelding and the brown mare seen in the photos in this story will be at the Wild Horse and Burro Auction and Adoption at MetraPark on June 8th. According to the Metra, there will be approximately 60 wild horses and 15 burros at the auction.