Wild Horses of Alto - Save the herd!: October 2016

Wild Horses of Alto. Save the Herd!

WILD HORSES OF ALTO (W.H.O.A!) disclaimer: this blog is in no way associated with the group WHOA (Wild Horse Observers Association). This blog has actually become like a vertical file in the library where important past documents - like newspaper articles - are filed and kept for research when needed. It has become almost a lesson in librarianship for me.

WILD HORSES OF ALTO The herd of wild horses in Alto, N.M., are the offspring of estray horses that roamed Sierra Blanca on Mescalero and National Forest land. Today the herds roam the same territory as well as dropping in to visit some of the subdivisions, such as Enchanted Forest, Sierra Vista, Sun Valley, LaJunta, Little Creek and occasionally Alto Lakes Golf & Country Club. For the most part, the herds are loved and welcomed. But sometimes not.

At this time, it is being decided in a court of law whether the horses are wild or domesticated (and therefore estray). At present, the horses fall under the auspices of the N.M. Livestock Board. We are trying to save all members the herd and other herds that exist in the area. We do NOT want to deny the horses the freedom they have known in the past and the comradeship the herd provides them.

To institute change in the policy and protect the future of our magnificent Wild Horses of Alto herd, we have a petition at https://www.change.org/p/new-mexico-governor-save-alto-wild-horses, a fundraising site for lawyers and feed/care at https://www.gofundme.com/altohorses, an account set up at City Bank-Ruidoso for donations to the "Wild Horses of Lincoln County Trust Fund" and an ongoing facebook group "Bring Ruidoso Horse's Back". Click on the Stallion's photo to go directly there.

PLEASE SPEAK UP, sign petitions, give to the trust fund for the horses. Sign up to this blog to get continual updates and to also post your own comments.

We LOVE our horse herd.

HELP save the Wild Horses of Alto (WHOA!) herd

Friday, October 7, 2016

Many ways open to help support the wild horses in Alto

Dianne L Stallings , Ruidoso News 6:35 a.m. MDT October 6, 2016

Many avenues of support open for donors who want to help the wild horses of Lincoln County

http://www.ruidosonews.com/story/news/local/2016/10/06/many-ways-open-help-support-wild-horses-alto/91629088/

    People who want to continue their support of the Wild Horses of Lincoln County can contribute to their care in many ways.
    A bank account is available for direct donations at any of the City Bank of New Mexico offices and the GoFundMe account for the herd remains open.
    But Robbie Davis said several other opportunities also are available.

    “In about two weeks, calendars will be available with photographs of members of the wild herd for each month,” she said. They will sell for $10 each.
    Raffle tickets are on sale for two original works of art by local artist Barbara Yates, who donated the works to benefit the herd returned to pens in the Alto area until the court decides if they fit the definition of wild horses or estray livestock.
    The first drawing on Nov. 1, will be for “Fighting Spirit,” a portrait of a herd member advocates say is no longer being spotted. The second drawing will be for “Hilltop Grazing,” the portrait of a mare and her foal. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for five.
    Signed prints also are being sold of horses in a field with the mountains in the background by artist Victoria Mauldin, who formerly lived in Ruidoso. The prints sell for $50 and Davis said only a few are left to purchase.
    For those who prefer experiencing horses, not just viewing them, a custom-made saddle is being raffled Nov. 6, with tickets priced at $5 each or five for $20. The size 16 saddle comes with breast collar, silver embellishments and was made by Canyon Rock American Tradition Saddlery.
To purchase tickets or the signed prints, make checks payable to Wild Horses of Lincoln County and mail to Robbie Davis, P.O. Box 1854, Ruidoso, NM 88355.