Vermont Horse Lovers Find Success with Mustangs Trained by Prison Inmates
At the Carson City prison, in inmates, some with prior equine experience, work patiently to transform wild horses into saddle-ready partners.
On the winding dirt roads of Orange County, where the Green Mountains rise to meet sprawling pastures, a new kind of horse is making its mark. It’s not a Vermont-born Morgan or a sleek Thoroughbred, but a hardy, intelligent American Mustang, a symbol of the wild west now thriving in the heart of New England. For South Strafford residents David Wilson and Olivia Knott, these remarkable horses—adopted from a program that pairs them with prison inmates for their initial training—have become more than just partners; they are family.
This past year, the couple achieved a goal many riders only dream of: competing at the prestigious American Eventing Championships in Kentucky. Their mounts, Eugene and Levi, two graduates of the Nevada prison program, confidently took on the national stage, proving that talent, heart, and a second chance can come from the most unexpected places. Their journey is a testament to Vermont grit, a story that bridges the vast deserts of the West with the close-knit equestrian community of the Upper Valley.
A Search for Greener, Safer Pastures
The story begins not in Vermont, but in Cupertino, California. Living in the high-cost, high-risk environment of the Bay Area, Wilson and Knott faced a modern dilemma. An experienced endurance rider, Wilson was searching for a new horse after his mare’s retirement. But a larger concern loomed: the ever-present threat of wildfires made their dream of owning a horse property a dangerous and uncertain prospect.
“We were concerned about wildfire risks in the areas where we might have been able to afford a California horse property,” Knott explained in a recent interview.
Seeking four distinct seasons and a landscape they could count on, they looked east. Their search led them to Vermont and, unexpectedly, to a solution for Wilson’s next mount. While perusing options, Knott discovered a catalog for the Bureau of Land Management’s adoption program at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. The program places wild mustangs with inmates for a 120-day gentling process, preparing them for new homes. Intrigued, they drove three hours to the prison, trailer in tow, and their lives took a new direction.
The Saddle and the Cell
At the Carson City prison, they found a world where horsemanship and rehabilitation intersect. Inmates, some with prior equine experience, work patiently to transform wild horses into saddle-ready partners. The program not only gives the mustangs a future but also provides the men with invaluable skills in patience and anger management.
“You can’t lose your temper with a horse, so they learn to handle frustration differently,” Wilson observed.
The couple spoke with the inmate trainers, who unanimously recommended a compact bay gelding named Eugene as a top endurance prospect. After a short bidding war, Eugene was theirs, the first of what would become their Vermont herd.
A Vermont Trio
Today, three mustangs graze on Wilson and Knott’s 90-acre farm. Each has a distinct personality and purpose.
Eugene, the original, is Wilson’s steadfast partner for everything from 50-mile endurance rides to his duties as a whip horse for the local North Country Hounds. His trust in Wilson is absolute, and it carried them to a respectable 36th place finish at the American Eventing Championships, where they completed the challenging cross-country course without a single penalty.
Levi, Knott’s mount, is a handsome, 16.1-hand gelding she describes as an "extrovert who loves everyone." His steady nature has made him the perfect partner for Knott in the eventing ring. The pair also completed their division at the championships, a huge accomplishment that Knott takes pride in.
Dune, the newest addition adopted in 2022, has found his calling in the demanding sport of fox hunting, where the breed’s legendary surefootedness is a priceless asset on Vermont's rocky terrain. "He just quietly walked down a trail that clung to the edge of a cliff," Knott said.
Local Ambassadors for a National Cause
The couple and their mustangs have become familiar faces in the Vermont equestrian scene, frequently competing at the Green Mountain Horse Association in South Woodstock and riding with the North Country Hounds. Their success is turning heads and challenging perceptions about what a rescue horse can achieve.
“People are always curious when they find out the horses are Mustangs,” Wilson said. “It’s not a common sight.”
Their story resonates deeply at a time when over 60,000 mustangs live in government holding facilities—more than double the entire horse population of Vermont. By choosing to adopt, Wilson and Knott have not only built their dream life but have also become powerful advocates for these iconic American animals.
For Vermonters inspired by their story, the path to adoption is more accessible than ever, thanks to local organizations like Rising Action Mustangs in New Haven, which serves as a resource hub for New England adopters.
Wilson and Knott’s journey with their prison-trained mustangs is a powerful reminder that the best partners are often the ones who, like us, just need a second chance to find their footing on solid ground. In the rolling hills of Vermont, these horses of the West have finally found their home.