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, February 1, 2017

Update on Legislative Bill - info from ZozoCommunity news

As I understand it, a proposed New Mexico Senate Bill 126 ("Wild Horse Kill Bill 126") will re-define ALL horses in the state as "livestock".  This will mandate authorities to round up and place feral horses into a system which can include capture, removal, possible adoption, and possible slaughter.  Other, humane protocols are being developed, and this law will block that.  This would directly impact the "Alto Wild Horses" still awaiting a legal judgment.

There will be a Committee Meeting Thursday morning, and our voices must be heard before then to prevent this bill from proceeding.

PLEASE contact each senator below. Simply click on their email address and write " I object to SB126 ". It only takes 5 minutes -- or call and leave a brief message.  (you can also add each of their addresses to the same email)

We need to take a breather and consider what is best for the horses. This really is important.


Background  The New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) is in court for allegedly abducting and selling protected wild horses illegally at auction, and to kill buyers.
Senator Pat Woods and the Attorney General are trying to change the law midstream to enable wild horses to be considered livestock and disenfranchise the people and the judicial branch of government.
This bill as amended, states livestock does not have to be domestic or owned, which is required by federal law, and weakens the status of our wild horses.
- This definition would conflict with the federal definition of livestock
- Allows road kill of many animals to be defined as Livestock
- Allows exotic animals in captivity to be defined as livestock!
- Conflicts with the NM State Wild Horse protection statute
- Endangers federally protected wild horses

Lastly the unintended consequence of passage of this bill by removing federally required domesticated language would be to allow non-domesticated feral or wild equines and exotic animals to be slaughtered or sold for food in New Mexico.

Editor’s Note:  I realize this was an inflammatory issue before, but I’m not sure the changes posed are really going to help.  If you think this is important, please send the email.  If not, don’t do anything and just see what happens. 
Senator Joseph Cervantes (Chair)
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4861
Email:
Joseph@cervanteslawnm.com
Senator Pat Woods (Author of Bill 126)
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4393
Email:
pat.woods@nmlegis.gov
 
Senator Liz Stefanics Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4377
Email:
liz.stefanics@nmlegis.gov
 
Senator Ron Griggs Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4369
Email:
ron.griggs@nmlegis.gov
Senator Richard Martinez Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4487
Email:
richard.martinez@nmlegis.gov
 
Senator McSorley Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4389
Email:
cisco.mcsorley@nmlegis.gov
 
Senator William Payne
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4703
 Senator Bill Soules
Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4834
Email:
bill.soules@nmlegis.gov
 Senator Peter Wirth Capitol Phone: (505) 986-4393
Email:
peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov

you can subscribe to the electronic newsletter: ZozoCommunity News by emailing with subject "subscribe to
zozocommunity@tularosa.net

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