In 1999, the TRF opened a farm at the Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington. Shortly before the first TRF horses arrived, an old dairy barn was converted to accommodate the horses. Today, it is one of our largest Second Chances Farms, with about 50 horses living out their retirement years on 100 acres of prime Kentucky bluegrass at the state’s largest minimum security prison. Just as has happened at the other farms at correctional facilities, the inmates and the horses at Blackburn have become close friends.
“In November 2019, the TRF Second Chances Program and Blackburn Correctional Complex (BCC) celebrated the 20th anniversary of their longstanding partnership. The program is mutually beneficial to the offenders working in the program and the program’s thoroughbreds. The horses are well cared for and provided an opportunity to live their remaining years in a stable and nurturing environment.
The offenders learn patience, a sense of empathy, trust, and responsibility, as well as valuable skills that may assist them in securing future employment. BCC is proud of its continued partnership with the TRF Second Chances Program and we look forward to many more years of working with an organization that gives so much to the community.”