Sponsor: Representative Tara Lujan
The Problem: New Mexico’s Equine Shelters are at Capacity and Underfunded
- The State of New Mexico (including Law Enforcement) relies on a network of nonprofit equine shelters to take in and care for owner-relinquished, stray, and abused equines (horses, donkeys, and mules).
- Unlike dog & cat shelters, New Mexico currently has no government-run equine shelters, and nonprofit equine shelters receive little and irregular funding from the state.
- The New Mexico Legislature created the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund in 2013 (led by Sen. George Muñoz), an expenditure fund to support the services equine shelters provide in feeding and caring for abused and homeless equines—but it has never had a reliable, substantial funding stream.
HB 243 Provides the Solution
House Bill 243 does three things:
- Appropriates a much-needed jolt of funding to the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund: $500,000;
- Improves & Moves the Rescue Fund from the Livestock Board to the Department of Agriculture, which is better equipped to manage an annual grant program with large sums of money, with stronger grantee qualification and reporting requirements to ensure fund accountability; and
- Creates and funds a new Equine Welfare Trust Fund to create an adequate and sustainable source of annual funding for the Rescue Fund (appropriating $5 Million to seed the Trust Fund).
Why a Trust Fund?
Current equine sheltering and care needs are urgent, growing, and will only grow worse in the coming years.
Establishing an Equine Welfare Trust Fund is a responsible way to ensure necessary annual funding for the Rescue Fund, to support capacity building across the network of equine shelters that provide essential equine care services to our state
Public Services the Equine Welfare Trust Fund Could Support
- Shelter or placement for abandoned, relinquished and cruelly treated equines, based on capacity;
- Training for equines to make them more adoptable;
- Feed and pasture to maintain equines;
- Basic and emergency veterinary care or husbandry, including sterilization, fertility control, or hoof care; and
- Administering adoption programs and services.
About New Mexico’s Equine Shelters
- New Mexico’s network of registered nonprofit equine shelters take in vulnerable equines from a variety of sources, including owner-surrendered, estray, abandoned, and abused animals. But lack of funding limits the life-saving care and safe placement shelters can provide, and increases the chances of horses being auctioned to kill buyers and entering the slaughter pipeline.
- If not for these equine shelters, the horses, donkeys, and mules taken into NM Livestock Board or other law enforcement custody would remain the responsibility of the state—to either auction, place for care, euthanize, or (for lack of options) remain in an abusive situation.
- For the years 2023 through 2025, equine shelters took in 391 equines, 196 of which (50%) came from law enforcement.
- The Equine Shelter Rescue Fund, established in 2013 and currently administered by the Livestock Board, helps to cover some of the costs shelters incur in caring for the equines taken in from the State. The Rescue Fund has been funded with small annual tax check-off donations and intermittent one-time state legislative appropriations.
For more information, please contact Stacy Sutton Kerby (stacy@apvnm.org / 505-270-1787)
Equine Welfare Trust Fund – FAQ
How do New Mexico’s equine shelters primarily get funded?
New Mexico’s nonprofit equine shelters are largely funded by the private sector through grants, foundations, and donations. There is no certainty of funding for equine shelters from year to year, and recently, major funders have reduced their funding to New Mexico’s equine rescues and shelters.
Why do equine shelters need and deserve state funding?
Current shelters are nonprofits that exist at the whim of private donors and grants—but they provide an important public service for the state, critical for public safety, land conservation, and community health. This legislation would create a more reliable source of funding independent of private donors and unpredictable legislative appropriations. This is exactly the stability smaller nonprofits—especially those in rural and underserved communities—need most.
Having predictable and consistent funding would allow shelters that receive Equine Shelter Rescue Fund (ESRF) funding to better plan their budgets and expand their operations. Investing in the Equine Welfare Trust Fund now will create a safety net buffer for shelters and the state against economic downturns and better maintain these vital community services.
Is using state money for non-profit equine shelters a violation of the New Mexico Constitution’s anti-donation clause?
No, as long as the funds are in exchange for services.
Money from the ESRF is only provided to registered equine shelters in exchange for services. It is not a gift or donation. This legislation would state that equine shelters must have contracts for services in order to receive ESRF funding.
What are the public services an Equine Welfare Trust Fund could support?
- providing shelter or placement for abandoned, relinquished and cruelly treated equines, based on capacity;
- providing training for equines to make them more adoptable;
- providing feed and pasture to maintain equines;
- providing for basic and emergency veterinary care or husbandry, including sterilization, fertility control or hoof care; and
- administering adoption programs and services.
Equine Rescue Stories
The Horse Shelter – Lee (and Emma)
In 2013, The Horse Shelter took in five young foals who had been separated from their mothers during a roundup and were bound for slaughter. One of those foals was a petite weanling we called Chinle—quiet, alert, and full of unspoken promise. Four years later, she entered our 2017 Gimme Shelter training event with Wyatt Mortenson. That experience laid the foundation for what would become a life-changing partnership.
Today, Chinle—now known as Lee—is not only thriving, she’s turning heads across the Southwest as the trusted mount of young rider Emma Ortiz. Since her adoption in 2017, Lee has become a standout competitor, traveling throughout New Mexico and Arizona with Emma. The pair has competed in barrel racing, poles, and breakaway roping—earning a saddle in the 2023 Rodeo de Santa Fe Summer Barrel Racing Series.
That same year, they won the Sandoval County Fair Queen title, again bringing home a saddle. Most recently, Emma was crowned the 2025 Rodeo de Santa Fe Queen, proudly riding Lee during grand entries, flag runs, and hot laps. If you caught the event on The Cowboy Channel, you likely saw Lee carrying the New Mexico state flag—a former rescue horse leading the charge in a celebrated rodeo tradition.
Emma’s mother shared: “She has taught my daughter so much—about patience, connection, trust. Lee’s bond with her is something truly special. She’s grown into this absolutely stunning mare with the most incredible presence, and people are always surprised to learn she’s a rescue. We proudly tell everyone she came from The Horse Shelter. We’re so grateful to be part of her story.”
So are we. Lee’s transformation is not just a success story—it’s proof of what’s possible when rescue, care, and love meet opportunity.
Walkin N’ Circles Ranch – Oakley (and Evelyn)
In late 2022, 14-year-old Oakley was seized due to neglect and came to Walkin N Circles Ranch in need of care and healing. Over the following months, she regained weight, built confidence, and began learning new skills with the patient support of our team.
Oakley’s journey took a joyful turn in 2024 when she met Evelyn. Having grown up with horses, Evelyn was ready to welcome a new partner into her life and chose to open her heart to a rescue horse. Oakley’s gentle spirit quickly won her over, and together they have formed a bond filled with trust and affection.
Today, Oakley is thriving as a confident trail horse, exploring the paths around Carnuel, NM, with Evelyn by her side. Most importantly, she is now a cherished companion, living the safe and happy life every horse deserves. Oakley’s story is a shining reminder of what rescued equines can become with time, care, and love.
Four Corners Equine Rescue – “Thor” (and Bailey)
Thor was surrendered to FCER in 2021. He had been a working horse for most of his life, and by age 18, he was starting to break down. He tended to be anxious and jumpy, but had good training that got him adopted out quickly. Lameness ended up bringing him back to the rescue, and for the second adoption also. That’s when Bailey met him. She was just learning to be safe around horses, and Thor was the big teddy bear she was looking for. They eventually began riding together and made it to the New Mexico State Fair for the past two years. She has done everything he needed to move off sound and feel good in his body, and he has taught her to be a confident horsewoman.
Join us on February 10, 2026, at the New Mexico State Capitol for an advocacy-filled day that will allow you to make your voice heard on behalf of animals.
