You don’t need to use words. If you’re carrying anger, fear and pain in you, a horse will mirror that

unlock these men,” she says. “He said he’d take a leap of faith and gave me 23 of their most hardened young men.”

That initial session set the pattern. The horses – reliable, friendly, experienced animals chosen for their temperament – are released into a secure area within the prison.

“Some just have a concrete yard, others have playing fields,” explains Eva.

The prisoners – in small groups and accompanied by experienced handlers – mingle with the horses, getting to know them, understand and connect with them.

The men also connect with themselves, and each other. “It might be the first time they’ve felt safe for a long time,” she says.

There’s no barrier, and none of the horses is tied up.

“The first time, things took an interesting turn,” she laughs. “The men were incredibly challenging – I was advised to halt the session.” Even though the inmates were rude and out of control, Eva pressed for more time.

“We released the horses in the secure area and stood back. A couple of the animals kicked and bucked and galloped around and the men got a real fright,” she says. “They hid under the chairs and wouldn’t come out.

It was the first time they had shown their fear. They dropped their ‘tough guy’ act very quickly.” Hamilton adds that horses are non-judgmental. “They don’t care what you’ve done. They have no preconceptions. All they care about is, ‘Who are you today?’”

I join in a session, which begins with what’s called a full body scan. Closing our eyes, we visualise each part of our bodies and relax.

When we open our eyes and look around five minutes later, Cruising and Carlos are

RIDING REHAB: Key4Life founder Eva Hamilton, front, and Sarah Olifent lead the steeds of Liam Meredith (left) and Shekel Gichie. Inset, Liam with Cruising and as a boy with his horse-breaker father. Above, equine therapist Livvy Adams

standing quite still near the fence, awaiting our attention. In one of the exercises, designed to establish a bond between human and horse, one person who is blindfolded leads a horse around an obstacle course, guided by a second person.

“It’s about trust – for everyone, horse and human,” explains Eva. “They use lead ropes, and then just thread. It can be overwhelming for some, being that connected to something.”

It took Ross a while to approach Cruising: “It was surreal. He was so calm. You realise what massive animals horses are, how much respect they need.”

HE SAYS the physical experience of being near a horse made him think about his interactions with people. “They have boundaries, just like us,” he says. And riding Cruising was his “Oh my!” moment, he recalls.

Shekel Gichie, 25, is sitting up on Carlos as if he was born to it.

“I’d never been up close and personal with a horse before,” he says. “For me, horses have been few and far between unless they were being ridden by a copper – but then they’re not up for cosy strokes,” he adds dryly.

Shekel spent 10 months in HMP Brixton, is now living in a hostel in London and enjoying success as rapper General Sneeks. He played at London’s Lovebox festivals this summer.

He rides alongside Liam and mounts are calm and quiet.

It’s a far cry from the rodeo display the horses gave a couple of hours ago – and just as well because the yard is now full of attendees.

Among them is ex-offender and volunteer Matt, just back from a mentoring visit to a vulnerable youngster with a long sentence ahead of him.

Another, Jamie, has overcome depression following a six-month programme, now rides like a professional and wants to work in the equine industry.

And Chris, alumni of the first At Risk cohort five years ago, is a full-time chef and horse devotee.

They encapsulate what Key4Life is about, says Eva. “We have a reoffending rate of 14 per cent against a national average of 64 per cent one year post-release. And a sustained employment rate of 61 per cent.

“We want to show young men that their pasts don’t need to be their future. Change is possible.”

For Liam, who stands stroking Cruising’s nose, it’s very simple: “Without Key4Life and these horses, I’d be back in a cell. Or dead.” both their