MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Kansas Department of Corrections and the Bureau of Land Management have agreed to extend the Wild Horse and Burro Program at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, keeping the long-running initiative in operation through May 31, 2026.
The agreement prevents the immediate closure of the program, which has operated at the facility for more than 25 years. State and federal officials said the extension will allow both agencies additional time to negotiate a long-term contract aimed at securing the program’s future.
Under the extension, approximately 300 wild horses and burros will remain at the Hutchinson facility rather than being relocated to long-term holding facilities. The animals will continue to be cared for by trained handlers participating in the program.
Officials said the decision also preserves the specialized roles of resident horse handlers at the correctional facility. Participants gain vocational training in horse care, handling and training, skills that can help support employment opportunities after release.
The program’s continuation also ensures ongoing training for the animals as part of the Bureau of Land Management’s national Wild Horse and Burro adoption efforts. Horses trained at the Hutchinson facility receive halter and saddle training, making them more suitable for adoption by private owners.
Since its launch in 2001 at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, the program has served both animal welfare and rehabilitation goals. In addition to preparing wild horses for adoption, the program provides incarcerated participants with opportunities for personal development, responsibility and job-related skills aimed at supporting successful reentry into society.
Officials from both agencies said the extension provides time to work toward a sustainable funding and operational model that would allow the program to continue long term.