The New Mexico Horse Shelter Fund is a new state program to support horse rescues and homeless horses in the state of New Mexico. Beginning with the 2013 tax return (prepared in 2014), residents of New Mexico are able to allocate any or all of their state tax refund to the Horse Shelter Rescue Fund.

The original design and intent of the New Mexico Horse Shelter Rescue Fund is to allocate donated monies to Horse Rescues that have applied, and have been approved, by the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB). To date, there are 11 organizations eligible to receive funds from the program. All of the qualified recipients are nongovernmental organizations, except one; the  Springer Correctional facility (located in Springer, New Mexico) which has recently been licensed as a horse rescue by the New Mexico Livestock Board. 

In actuality, the Springer Correctional Facility is not a horse rescue—it’s an inmate training program, using horses as a prisoner rehabilitation tool.  Animal advocates are concerned that horses that enter their program will not be screened for safe and reliable adoptive homes, rather they will be sold at auction, putting them at risk to be sold for slaughter.

Additionally, the current rules allow funding for horses directly placed in rescues via owner surrenders or from other government agencies, such as local animal control offices. The proposed revision to the rules would restrict funding for this category.  Money should follow the horse, regardless of where the horse comes from. Any horse in rescue should be eligible to receive funding. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]-->