Our venerable Alto wild horse herd has been in our backcountry for over 30 years. The herd numbers are approximately 12-14. These horses are longstanding members of our community and a major draw for tourism. One of the herd members, a gentle, inquisitive 3 year old gelding named Rock Star (pictured above), was picked up by the Dist. 20 Brand Inspector, hauled by the Brand Inspector to kill auction and sent to Mexico for slaughter.

Why wasn't the gelding sent to one of 10 equine rescue organizations in New Mexico licensed by the NM Livestock Board?

Rock Star went to Southwest Livestock Auction LLC, the largest kill auction in the southwest U.S.  The auction owner was busted on YouTube.  NM 13th District Attorney Lemuel Martinez charged the auction owner with 12 counts of criminal charges, adding up to nearly 11 years in prison.  Charges included animal cruelty, failure to treat an animal(s) that can't walk, not having a bill of sale for the horses.  The owner retained a powerful defense attorney and received probation.  

Rock Star was hauled to S.W. Livestock auction by the Brand Inspector, bought by a kill buyer on April 14, 2014 for $42.59.  Rock Star suffered an inhumane, violent and needless death.   

By forcing the State of New Mexico and New Mexico Livestock Board to revise their policy and protocol regarding wild horses from the Alto herd we WILL - 

Stop these horses from going to kill auction & slaughter.

Place our organization on the NM Livestock Board's required notification chain prior to a horse being hauled off.

Spread public awareness about the benefits and protocol of adopting one of these amazing creatures.

Sign our petition to force change & accountability! Thank you.  

**Please Support the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (S. 541/H.R. 1094) by contacting your US Representative and two U.S. Senators urging their co-sponsorship of the Act which ends the cruel slaughter of America's horses as well as their export for slaughter abroad**

IN MEMORY OF ROCK STAR, OUR BELOVED GELDING.