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House approves bill to manage free-roaming horse populations, bars slaughter off-range
Summary
The New Mexico House on final passage approved legislation that creates a state framework for managing free‑roaming horses, allowing adoption or relocation when suitable placements exist and making slaughter of removed horses a misdemeanor.
The New Mexico House on final passage approved legislation that creates a state framework for managing free‑roaming horses, allowing adoption or relocation when suitable placements exist and making slaughter of removed horses a misdemeanor.
Supporters said the bill gives humane tools to limit herd size and continue fertility‑control programs. “We can only move the horses if we have a suitable home for them,” the bill’s sponsor said, adding that the measure allows euthanasia only for animals that are injured or cannot be returned to health.
The bill requires free‑roaming horses to be microchipped or freeze‑branded if they are removed from the range, and it authorizes the Livestock Board to adopt rules for registering “free‑roaming horse experts.” Those experts may contract with governmental entities — cities, counties or political subdivisions — to carry out removals only when a suitable adoption or sanctuary placement is available. The bill covers state and private land; it does not apply to federal or tribal land, and any entry onto private property requires the owner’s permission.
In debate, lawmakers pressed the sponsor on how the bill prevents wholesale removal of herds, how fertility control is administered, and whether microchipping and misdemeanor penalties sufficiently stop off‑range slaughter or illicit export. “If there’s no place to take the horse, you cannot remove it,” the sponsor said. An expert testifying to the House said fertility control commonly used on range — PZP, administered by darting — costs about $22 per dose, and local governments can contract with experts to provide the service.
Opponents said the bill doesn’t address nuisance animals on private land or provide enough sanctuary capacity for relocated animals. Some lawmakers said the measure would not solve every problem with free‑roaming horses and urged future fixes.
On a roll call, the House adopted the motion to pass the House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 284 by a vote of 54 in favor and 4 opposed.
The bill now proceeds according to the legislative process for cross‑chamber consideration and any necessary rulemaking by the Livestock Board.
