By allowing for humane capture, relocation, and adoption of free-roaming horses, the bill seeks to mitigate the issues arising from overpopulation and ensure their welfare. It prohibits the slaughter or export of these horses for slaughter, positioning the bill as a protective measure for free-roaming equine populations. Furthermore, the establishment of state-approved experts underlines a regulatory framework intended to oversee and standardize practices pertaining to horse management in New Mexico.
Senate Bill 301, introduced by Brenda G. McKenna and Matthew McQueen, addresses the management of free-roaming horses in New Mexico. The bill permits fertility control, relocation, and adoption of these horses under specified circumstances to manage their population effectively. It establishes qualifications for 'free-roaming horse experts' who are responsible for assessing and controlling horse populations on lands exceeding their carrying capacities. This legislation aims to provide humane management strategies and to prevent inhumane practices regarding free-roaming horses.
The bill has encountered various points of contention, particularly concerning the methods proposed for controlling free-roaming horse populations. While proponents advocate for humane treatment and management practices, opponents may raise concerns about the implications of relocating horses, as well as the definitions of humane euthanasia. Furthermore, debates may arise regarding the effectiveness of implementing these regulations and the potential impacts on local landowners and ecologies where these horses roam.