NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Jaron Kohari, a 36-year-old former underground coal miner from eastern Kentucky, never imagined that his journey to sobriety would involve working with horses. Initially intimidated by the large animals at a farm outside Lexington, he quickly found solace in caring for them, realizing that this responsibility helped him cultivate feelings of love and compassion, emotions he previously chased with alcohol and drugs.
Frank Taylor, the founder of the Stable Recovery program, started the initiative six years ago to provide employment opportunities for individuals recovering from addiction while simultaneously addressing a labor shortage on his family’s 1,100-acre farm, known for breeding some of horse racing's biggest stars. Given that the region is also a hub for the bourbon industry, Taylor’s approach aims to connect the dots between horse racing and the alcohol addiction that often accompanies it.
Having overcome his own struggles with alcohol, Taylor sought to create a program that could serve as a second-chance opportunity for individuals with histories of substance abuse. With a modest plan that initially required convincing his three brothers, he proposed the idea of employing recovering addicts at the farm. While met with skepticism—his brothers thought he was "nuts"—they agreed to trial the program for 90 days, with the stipulation that he would shut it down if problems arose.
Since its inception, Stable Recovery has seen considerable success, with 110 men completing the program, which requires participants to be sober for 30 days before starting. Funded entirely through donations and lacking any advertising, the program receives referrals from colleagues in the racing industry, sobriety homes, and local judges, often serving as an alternative to incarceration.
Participants are not charged until they begin earning money, at which point they pay $100 a week for food, housing, clothing, and transportation. They start working at a rate of $10 an hour, which increases to between $15 and $17 an hour after 90 days. Unlike many recovery programs that last for a shorter duration, the goal at Stable Recovery is to maintain participants for a full year, nurturing bonds among them and encouraging healing and family reconciliation.
However, not every individual succeeds in the program. According to Taylor, some entrants may believe they are ready for change when they truly are not, lacking the necessary motivation to invoke a genuine transformation in their lives. Participants must adhere to a rigorous schedule, which includes waking up at 4:30 a.m., attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and completing various farm responsibilities such as grooming horses and maintaining the premises.
The operations of the farm also involve therapy sessions offsite and medical appointments aimed at bolstering the participants' recovery. Taylor emphasizes that being around horses provides a unique therapeutic effect. “I think the horse is the most therapeutic animal in the world,” he asserts, recalling Winston Churchill’s words, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”
Many men enter the program feeling judged and burdened by past failures. The transformation can be profound, as noted by Christian Countzler, the CEO and co-founder of Stable Recovery, who himself overcame addiction. He has witnessed individuals transform from being withdrawn and hopeless to becoming engaged, with some even smiling and laughing within just days of interacting with the horses.
Kohari, having battled addiction since the age of 18 and cycling through various treatment programs, credits his recovery to his experience with horses at Taylor Made Farm. After completing the program, he secured a job at WinStar Farm before returning to Taylor Made as a coordinator for pregnant mares. The stable equips participants with skills and connections, facilitating their entry into the industry.
Among successful graduates are Blane Servis and Will Walden, who both overcame their addictions to carve out careers in horse training. Servis, now an assistant trainer to Brad Cox, and Walden, who runs a training stable, exemplify the positive impact of Stable Recovery. Taylor even gambled on purchasing horses to secure employment for recovering individuals, albeit at significant financial risk. Despite early losses, the venture yielded successful outcomes for the men involved.
With a vision focused on sobriety and growth, Taylor aims to continue fostering an environment where individuals can rebuild their lives and advance in the competitive horse racing industry.
