Prisoners hope to start new lives on right hoof

Clayton Holmes wants to start his life off right when he leaves Calico Rock prison next year and find a job to make a living and keep him from returning to crime.

Before being handed a 15-year sentence in 2003 for drug, theft and hot-check charges, Holmes earned a living doing construction work when he could find it.

He’s scheduled for release next year, but with the economy in a slump and construction jobs drying up, he knew he’d need a backup plan.

He found one in retired state trooper Mack Hayden, who for the past 25 years has been teaching Arkansas Department of Correction inmates to be equine blacksmiths or farriers. He holds the class once a ...