Committee backs bill to create state framework for managing free‑roaming horses after heated testimony from landowners and animal advocates

A bill to create a statutory framework for managing free‑roaming horses — including allowing public entities to contract with experts for assessment, relocation, adoption, and fertility control while prohibiting slaughter of adopted or relocated horses — received a do‑pass recommendation from the Senate Judiciary Committee after extensive testimony from county officials, animal‑welfare advocates, landowners and opponents.

Proponents said the bill would provide needed tools for humane, science‑based management of horse herds that have grown on some ranges, causing public‑safety and grazing impacts. Nina Edelman, equine program director at Animal Protection New Mexico, said the bill "provides a framework for the humane and science based management of free roaming horses using all the necessary tools, including the relocation of horses when needed for their well‑being and for the health of the land while providing firm protections for horses against mistreatment and slaughter." County officials and residents from Placitas and Sandoval County described herd sizes they say exceed range capacity and have led to property damage and safety concerns. Joia Esparza, executive director of New Mexico Counties, said counties have struggled for years and urged support.

Supporters emphasized that adoption, relocation and fertility control would occur only with landowner approval and that the New Mexico Livestock Board would promulgate rules for experts who contract with public entities. The bill also states that a person shall not knowingly slaughter or sell for slaughter a free‑roaming horse that has been adopted or relocated under the program.

Opponents, including wildlife advocates and local residents, argued the bill risks converting public wildlife into property subject to removal and sale. Patience O'Dowd of Wolf Organization voiced constitutional and statutory objections and warned of conflicts with federal land and animal cruelty law; Georgine Inks and others said existing law already protects horses from capture and slaughter and that the bill could enable auction and removal in ways that would harm wild‑horse populations.

Senators asked multiple procedural and definitional questions about landowner consent, transport, and the Livestock Board’s role. Sponsor testimony and supporters stressed protections in the bill, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, jurisdiction on federal lands, and whether the bill’s implementation might lead to rapid removal of herds.

After debate the committee adopted a due‑pass recommendation. Committee members and supporters said the bill represents a long‑sought statutory tool for local governments and landowners to manage herds; opponents said they would pursue legal remedies if the statute altered constitutional or existing wildlife protections.