Home: Wild Horse Observers Association

Welcome to the Wild Horse Observers Association

Wild Horse Observers Association (WHOA) was formed by New Mexico community members to protect and preserve the remaining wild horses in New Mexico as well as others across the US. These horses are re-introduced native species albeit without the full benefit of their natural predators, and as such, WHOA also advocates for the use of PZP a non-toxic immuno- contraceptive where round-ups are being used and in the recent past.

WHOA has worked legislatively with the Honorable Senator Komadina to pass a bill signed by Governor Richardson (2007) declaring free roaming horses which are not estray (not domestic) to be declared legally New Mexico State’s wild horses. As such they are regulated wild animals of the state not under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Game department and not under the jurisdiction of the NM Livestock Board.  WHOA has worked with Senator Komadina to pass a host of Memorials asking the BLM, Forest Service, and Native American Nations in New Mexico to utilize their free roaming/wild horses for Equine Eco-Tourism and to utilize PZP immuno -contraception as needed in lieu of predators.

These horses can be utilized for Heritage Tourism which currently accounts for 81% of US Tourism which is the second largest industry in the US and in New Mexico. In New Mexico, Tourism is a 2.5 Billion dollar industry and is the largest private sector employer.  WHOA has developed a state-wide Equine Eco-Tourism plan which has been supported by the NM Legislature through the passage of the Memorials.   This tourism plan is in line with the 2003 Preserve America Executive Order to the BLM which direct the BLM to aid in Heritage Tourism projects.

Early in 2010, New Mexico made some initial progress toward actualizing this vision of Equine Eco-Tourism with Governor Richardson’s announcement in Washington, DC of his intention to create a Wild Horse State Park.  This was followed up with his proposal for a 12,000 acre expansion of Cerrillos State Park, which would include a wild horse sanctuary.  WHOA continues to be a leading advocate and is a strong and vocal supporter of these initiatives.


For the latest updates, see WHOA’s blog posts below. You can also view posts by Categories by choosing a Category on the right.


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