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


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Misty's adoption successful

The adoption of Misty by the Blaneys was the first adoption using the NMLB online notification and bidding process.  Here is Lynda Blaney's report on this fine Alto filly - Misty.

Misty is coming along very nicely - she is incredibly street smart.  She has been gentled down, leads on halter, ponies alongside our mares and picks up her feet.  She loads & rides very well in trailer and I do groundwork with her in our round pen every afternoon.  Most times I exercise her with a saddle on, which she  accepts well.  She has learned patience by being tied up for extended periods of time to an inner tube.   We will train her under saddle when she is old enough to be ridden.  

She immediately settled in with my two other mares - I think she was happy to have some horses to pal around with after being on her own for so long.  The herd comes through periodically and she could care less.  

Dr. Franklin said she was a year and 3-4 months old.  She received all vaccinations and wormed. Blood panel was negative for diseases and coggins was negative.  She will be micro-chipped as soon as the vet comes down from Albuquerque.  

The 5-day posting & bidding process on Misty worked exactly as it was explained by NMLB.  We presented our bid to Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Patterson.  $5 per day was deducted from our winning bid for feed.  Mr. Hatfield issued proper brand and ownership documents.  Don Hatfield was completely professional, responsive, caring and pro active throughout the entire process.  When I call him, he calls me back within the hour. 

Apparently, Mr. Baca and Mr. Patterson are working with their techs to further streamline the bidding process on the NMLB website. 

Because the Alto horse herd falls under the jurisdiction of the NMLB, the objective is to work in concert with NMLB throughout the rescue and adoption process. That process was tested on Misty and we can attest that it was a very smooth and positive transaction.  

There is a risk of prosecution if an estranged member of the herd is captured, hauled off and/or adopted out without notifying the Brand Inspector.  If a wild/feral horse is injured, the Brand Inspector should also be contacted so proper vet care can be rendered.  (Example, when we rounded Misty up, her leg had a minor injury.  Not knowing the extend of her injury, Mr. Hatfield was ready to call in a vet at the State's expense.)  Working through NMLB on future adoptions will ensure ownership of the horse is legal and proper brand/ownership documents are issued. Once adopted out, the horse will be micro-chipped (at State's expense) to ensure the horse is not left to roam or returned to the herd.  

We have offered Mr. Hatfield a section of our horse property as a holding area for other rescued members of the Alto herd and a few other neighbors have offered assistance in this regard.  The NMLB email notification process works very well--I receive regular notifications when a horse is found estray.  

NMLB instituted their email notification system, lines of communication opened up and NMLB modified their online bidding process as a direct result to our petition, Ms. Stalling's coverage in Ruidoso News, Ms. Stewart's WHOA! blog, and our meeting with executives from NMLB.  Wild Horse caution signs have been installed on Hwy. 48 and Ski Run Road in Alto, thanks to the efforts of Ms. Campos.  We continue to thank the public for signing the petition and caring about the Wild Horse Herd of Alto.


Misty learning patience.


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE WILD HORSES

The herd should be up the mountain, living in their natural habitat and eating natural grasses.  Unfortunately, the herd has become increasingly accustomed to getting fed by residents throughout Alto Mountain Village, Alto Lakes and surrounding areas.  By feeding the horses, residents are at risk of serious injury, such as kicking or trampling.  Likewise, the herd becomes at risk by being much too close to the highway and high traffic areas around Chisums.

The Stallion stands guard over his mares and colts.
The hand feeding has gotten out of control.  We know the horses are wonderful creatures to be around, but please admire the herd from a distance.  Better yet, admire them by taking their picture.  Further domestication of this herd threatens their existence and their right to live peacefully in our back country.  If you CARE, please do not hand feed the horses.  THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

When the Stallion says hit the trail, everyone follows.

Meet Augusta - the newest member to the herd



Cute and curious!
Time to rest.

Augusta sending a whinny out to the Save the Herd advocates.  You're my heoros!