Horse Care

The Florida Department of Corrections Master Agreement C1873 establishes a unique vocational training program at the Lowell Correctional Institution focused on horse care and stable management. The contract enables inmates to receive specialized training through a comprehensive program that involves working with retired racehorses, learning essential skills in animal husbandry, stable infrastructure maintenance, and professional equine management. This vocational initiative provides incarcerated individuals with practical job skills and rehabilitation opportunities within a structured agricultural-based training environment.

The master agreement was originally awarded to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' organization, with the contract period spanning from May 1, 1999, to April 30, 2009. The Department of Corrections serves as the contracting organization, providing approximately 100 acres of land, labor, and machinery to support the program's infrastructure needs. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was responsible for supplying up to 50 retired racehorses, along with managing their feed, veterinary care, and farrier services. This contract type represents a master agreement specifically designed for the state of Florida, creating a collaborative partnership between corrections and agricultural vocational training.