James River Horse Foundation provides sanctuary and rehabilitation to retired racehorses in need of a safe place to land. Through its partnership with the Virginia Department of Corrections, JRHF provides an educational and vocational training program to select inmates at the State Farm Work Center. The inmates are profoundly impacted by the horses as they progress through the multi-section curriculum, where they learn more than horse care and management. Inmates learn about compassion, problem solving, work ethic, and other skills that will assist them upon reentry into their homes and society. The horses thrive on the attention and affection they receive and seem to understand that “teaching” is their second career.

One of the inmates had this to say about the program: “I have a new respect for horses, hard work, and life in general. I am so grateful to be blessed with this opportunity.”

Said another inmate, “It’s quite a unique relationship we have with these horses. These horses need us, and we need them. They give us a sense of peace in the environment we are in.”