Wild Horse Observers Association (WHOA) was formed by New Mexico community members to protect and preserve\u00c2\u00a0the 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\u00c2\u00a0a non-toxic immuno- contraceptive where round-ups are being used and in the recent past.<\/p>\n
WHOA has worked legislatively with the Honorable Senator Komadina\u00c2\u00a0to 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\u00c2\u00a0the Fish and Game department and\u00c2\u00a0not under the jurisdiction of\u00c2\u00a0the NM Livestock Board.\u00c2\u00a0 WHOA has worked with Senator Komadina\u00c2\u00a0to pass a host of Memorials asking the BLM, Forest Service, and Native American Nations in New Mexico to utilize\u00c2\u00a0their free roaming\/wild horses for Equine Eco-Tourism and to utilize\u00c2\u00a0PZP\u00c2\u00a0immuno\u00c2\u00a0-contraception as needed in lieu of predators.<\/p>\n
These horses can be utilized\u00c2\u00a0for Heritage Tourism which currently\u00c2\u00a0accounts 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.\u00c2\u00a0 WHOA has developed a state-wide Equine Eco-Tourism plan which has been supported by the NM Legislature through the passage of the Memorials.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Early in\u00c2\u00a02010, New Mexico made some initial\u00c2\u00a0progress toward actualizing\u00c2\u00a0this vision of\u00c2\u00a0Equine Eco-Tourism\u00c2\u00a0with Governor Richardson’s announcement in Washington, DC of\u00c2\u00a0his intention to create a\u00c2\u00a0Wild Horse State Park.\u00c2\u00a0 This was followed up with his proposal for a 12,000 acre expansion of Cerrillos State Park, which would include a wild horse sanctuary.\u00c2\u00a0 WHOA continues to be a leading advocate and is a strong and vocal supporter\u00c2\u00a0of these initiatives.<\/p>\n
For the latest updates, see WHOA’s blog posts below. <\/span><\/strong>You can also view posts by Categories by choosing a Category on the right.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Welcome to the Wild Horse Observers Association Wild Horse Observers Association (WHOA) was formed by New Mexico community members to protect and preserve\u00c2\u00a0the remaining wild horses in New Mexico as well as others across the US. These horses are re-introduced … Continue reading
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