Carol Chidsey

Seven boys, lucky enough to get time with four special horses, have grim stories. One of them was sent to the Wyoming Boys’ School in Worland for gang violence, another for assaulting his mother, another for burglary. Almost all have a history of drug abuse; two suffered withdrawal symptoms when they arrived. The four horses - Daylight, Emmy, Rosie and Splash – have stories just as grim. One has scars left from barbed wire being forced into his mouth. Another once had a rider who beat him so badly that he won’t let anyone on his back. For six Wednesdays early this fall, the seven boys led the four horses through a series of challenges, such as guiding them through a maze of logs. Boys learn hitting the horse doesn’t work. But they have to be assertive enough to lead.