Wild Horse Meeting Set for August 1 in Placitas

Sandoval County officials will hold a public meeting to address questions regarding the permit process for feeding free-roaming horses in Sandoval County on Tuesday, August 1 at 2pm in Placitas. The meeting is scheduled to address any questions regarding the Sandoval County Horse-feeding Permit Process. The meeting will be held at the Placitas Senior Community Center at 41 Camino De Las Huertas.

John Garcia, Deputy County Manager, will facilitate the meeting. “This permitting application is the first step in our efforts to assure safety of the public and the free-roaming horses in Sandoval County,” said Garcia.

The resolution approved by the county commission during a contentious meeting on May 24 limits applicants to nonprofit organizations registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3)s/ They must also have “demonstrated experience and knowledge in the care of horse management and protection,” according to the resolution.

The ban against feeding horses goes into effect Sept. 1. It is meant to keep the horses from wandering away from open spaces and into Placitas neighborhoods in search of handouts. Many Placitas residents opposed the ban, calling it inhumane and an infringement of their property rights.

Violators are subject to a $300 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

Completed applications will be reviewed by the County’s equine experts for eligibility before being forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Department for consideration and approval.

Information and instructions for the process are detailed in the online application

(https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/free-roaming-horses/).