45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS OF AND ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVELY PRESERVING THE MONERO MUSTANGS, THE NEW MEXICAN HORSES.

WHEREAS, the New Mexican horse, the Monero mustang breed, was originally brought to New Mexico by Don Juan de Onate and now survives in only a few isolated areas of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, many famous breeds of American horses trace their breeding heritage to the Monero mustangs, which include the Nez Perce appaloosas, the quarter horse and the Morgan; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexican horse project is dedicated to preserving and breeding the Spanish mustangs that descended from Spanish barbs; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexican horse project has established two native horse preserves, one near Grants and one near Placitas; and

WHEREAS, the only other group attempting to preserve the breed is the Blackfoot tribe in Montana; and

WHEREAS, these horses have been tested and demonstrated to exhibit the DNA markers of the Spanish barbs; and

WHEREAS, CNN, the History channel, the 2003 Rose Bowl parade and Western Horseman have recognized these horses as vital to the heritage of the west;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the economic development department be requested to study the feasibility of assisting the New Mexico horse project and others in the preservation and breeding of the Monero mustangs, the New Mexican horses, and using them as a symbol to enhance New Mexico's economy and tourism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of economic development.