We are deeply disappointed at the news the Governor has failed to sign, or “pocket vetoed,” House Bill 284 – a widely popular measure which would have corrected flaws in the current law governing New Mexico’s iconic free-roaming horses, leaving both horses and rural communities to suffer.
Sponsored by Representative Matthew McQueen and Senator Pat Woods, HB 284 would have helped to bring free-roaming horses into balance with the landscapes where they graze by creating a science-based framework for the humane management of those horses.
The bill, which built on work done in several prior sessions, would have allowed local governments to work within this humane, science-based framework to take the lead on creating free-roaming horse management plans tailored to local herd populations and environmental conditions. Importantly, it also established important, bold protections for our state’s free-roaming horses—disallowing horse slaughter, mass euthanasia for population control, and utilization of traumatic roundup methods like helicopters and motorized off-road vehicles. (Read more about HB 284 here.)
Supporters represented a diverse, broad spectrum, including the New Mexico Association of Counties, UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology, numerous officials and residents of Placitas and Sandoval County, two Pueblo governments, and everyone from the ranching industry, to wild horse sanctuary experts and the national ASPCA. After passing the House with a resounding 54-4 vote, and the Senate with a unanimous vote of 38-0, HB 284 was sent to the Governor’s desk for signature in the final hours of the 2025 Legislative session.
Unfortunately, the Governor pocket vetoed House Bill 284—and New Mexico’s free-roaming horses, landscapes and communities will now be left waiting—again—for a workable statute.
In New Mexico, when a bill is passed by the Legislature in the last three days of the legislative session, the Governor can sign the bill, veto the bill, or exercise what is called a “pocket veto”. A pocket veto happens when the Governor does not sign the bill by the deadline. Left unsigned, the bill automatically fails to become law. Additionally, because it is not a proactive veto action, it is not required to be accompanied by any explanation for why she did not sign the bill.
What does this mean for free-roaming horses and the places where they dwell?
Free-roaming horses are treasured by many New Mexicans. But in some areas of the state, their presence is increasingly dangerous for horses and the people who encounter them. Lack of forage and water leads to horses suffering and starving. Horses on the search for food and water sometimes damage private property and come into conflict with impacted communities, and some have tragically been killed in vehicle collisions when crossing roadways.
What’s more, in places where herds have outgrown the land’s carrying capacity, the land will continue to degrade without a workable plan for managing them. Overgrazing, and the follow-on erosion that occurs on overgrazed land, will continue to escalate – particularly as the climate grows drier. In some places where free-roaming horses live, experts are concerned surface water may be severely, or even completely, depleted. The pocket veto of HB 284 means even more than missing a chance to better protect horses – it’s a lost chance at protecting all species in the ecosystems where free-roaming horses dwell.
We are heartbroken at this news—and our hearts hurt especially for all the dedicated supporters who gave it their all to get HB 284 across the finish line. They waited endless hours to testify before committees, traveled repeatedly to the Roundhouse to advocate in person, wrote heartfelt letters and called the Governor expressing their firm support of HB 284.
Supporters can and should be proud of those efforts. The Legislature’s passage of HB 284 this session mirrors their desire, and the desire held by the vast majority of New Mexicans, to bring free-roaming horses into balance with the lands and communities where they graze.
And while the news that HB 284 has been pocket vetoed is deeply disappointing, it’s worth taking a step back to consider the big wins for dogs, cats, roosters and wildlife accomplished this session:
- House Bill 113—the Animal Welfare Program Fund—will strengthen our companion animal sheltering and rescue safety net through $5 million dedicated to animal care and control programs and services
- Senate Bill 70 strengthens penalties against organized animal fighters and gives prosecutors more tools to disrupt animal fighting rings
- Senate Bill 5—accompanied by a whopping $10.5 appropriation—will modernize and stabilize New Mexico’s wildlife management system with an eye towards conserving our native species, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Truly a lot to celebrate! And while we don’t yet know why the Governor passed on the chance to improve outcomes for free-roaming horses this session, we are grateful all the good work that was done on this legislation will build on it going forward. We won’t give up.
