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SENATE MEMORIAL 17
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Steve Komadina
A MEMORIAL
ENCOURAGING NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONS, TRIBES AND PUEBLOS IN NEW
MEXICO TO LOOK AT NEW ALTERNATIVES FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT OF WILD
HORSE HERDS AND TO DEVELOP WILD HORSE TOURISM PROGRAMS.
WHEREAS, it has been shown by mitochondrial
deoxyribonucleic acid testing that the modern horse is the same
horse that evolved in North America along with its flora and
fauna and is the same horse that left North America for ten
thousand to thirteen thousand years and returned with the
Spanish conquistadores; and
WHEREAS, some Native Americans consider the horse a living
historic monument under the New Mexico Cultural Properties Act,
which established the central principles of preservation in New
Mexico: "that the historical and cultural heritage of the
state is one of the state's most valued and important assets
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[and] that the public has an interest in the preservation of
all antiquities, historic and prehistoric ruins, sites,
structures [and] objects of historical significance"; and
WHEREAS, the horse has been an integral part of Native
American culture in New Mexico since the 1500s, used for
logging, harvesting, hunting, recreation, transportation,
packing, companionship, inspiration and defense; and
WHEREAS, wild horses serve a major and important role in
the ecosystem that is New Mexico by increasing the dispersal of
seeds as the horses graze and by blazing trails and breaking
ice in deep winter, both of which help more vulnerable wildlife
species survive, and by serving as food for predators and
scavengers; and
WHEREAS, some Native American tribes are wild-horse-
friendly and use tribal adoptions as a method of controlling
herd size; and
WHEREAS, it is also possible to control wild horse herd
size by injections of porcine zona pellucida vaccine, a
nontoxic immunocontraception that costs less than thirty-five
dollars ($35.00) per mare and is administered by the United
States humane society; and
WHEREAS, porcine zona pellucida is cheap and effective,
can be administered remotely, is not harmful to humans or
animals and can be reversed if need be; and
WHEREAS, Native American nations, tribes and pueblos in
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New Mexico are working to improve and diversify their
economies; and
WHEREAS, although tourism is the second-largest industry
in the state, wild horse herds are not advertised as tourist
attractions; and
WHEREAS, many tourists, particularly foreign tourists,
come to New Mexico to experience the old west, which is, in
great part, the story of the horse; and
WHEREAS, the wild horse is part of New Mexico's
enchantment and essence and is an integral part of the Native
American, Hispanic, ranching and farming cultures; and
WHEREAS, the rural areas of the state, in particular, are
missing an opportunity to draw tourists from all over the world
who are intrigued by the history, culture and art of the
American southwest; and
WHEREAS, it is possible to advertise wild horse tourism as
consisting of small family-owned and -run businesses that
accept tourists by appointment only;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Native American nations, tribes
and pueblos of New Mexico be encouraged to manage their herds
at genetically viable levels and to use birth control instead
of slaughter or auction sales to limit herd size; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when overpopulation does
exist, the Native American nations, tribes and pueblos of New
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Mexico be encouraged to move excess animals to other wild horse
preserves, preferably in New Mexico, or place them with private
or state wild horse preserves; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Native American nations,
tribes and pueblos of New Mexico be encouraged to develop wild
horse tourism in New Mexico and to protect and preserve wild
horses in New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to each Native American nation, tribe and pueblo in
New Mexico.
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