Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
 Wild Horse Tourism in NM
  • How the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest can utilize the Jicarilla Wild Horses Territory (JWHT) for Eco-Tourism, Rural Economic Development, Preservation of the Historical and Cultural Identities of New Mexico, and Natural History Education.
2
Overview
  • Eco Tourism Vision
  • Herd Size
  • USDA Forest Service Expenditures
  • Population Control
  • Funding
  • Grazing


3
Eco Tourism Vision
A herd size of 200 is necessary
  • A herd large enough to have enough sightings of varied horses for a major tourism draw.
  • Herd size of 200 cited by the BLM experts for genetic viability.
  • Tourism testimonial at JWHT shows 200+ is just right.
4
Cost for 200 vs. 50 Herd Size
Comparable
  • Administrative Staff and costs would be virtually the same.
    • See (Current Herd Maintenance Costs )
  • Tourism Income may be generated.
5
PZP for Population Control
Benefits
  • SAFER Less horse handling and transporting,
  • Helicopter count not needed. $5000 savings
  • Vet Costs may be same or less  vaccinate or not.
  • No follow-up adoption inspections.
  • Darting cost equal or less than round-up/horse
  • Horse transport vehicles not needed.
  • No feeding costs during holding. $1.50/horse-day
  • No holding pen costs 1000/month for 2 months.
6
PZP Population Control requirements
  • Humane Society License
  • Darts and darting equipment needed.
  • PZP cost additional $31/horse.
7
Eco-Tourism Phase I
Advertise
  • International Ecotourism websites, Equinetoursim.com
  • New Mexico State Tourism Dept
  • Local Chambers of Commerce.
  • Local Fiestas in Aztec and Bloomfield
  • “Foster” a Horse Program on paper only.
  • Educational Tours for a fee - natural history of the horse
  • Local Youth photograph and monitor the herd and fences during the summers to provide more materials.
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Eco-Tourism Phase II
Events
  • Tie into other herds in NM such as El Rito,  Mt Taylor Mustangs, NMHP, Native American herds.
  • Link/Staggered the local wild horse fiestas in time all ending at the state fair.
  • Spanish Colonial Endurance Rides
  • Have Spanish Colonial National in place of the Arabian Nationals.
  • Develop books, movies, and memorabilia for sale on/off line with X% going to preserve the herd.
9
Funding Possibilities
    • Grants through Non-Profits such as WHOA for humane herd maintenance, educational programs for youth and research etc.
    • Funding from the New Mexico State Legislature through the NM State Tourism Dept for advertising etc.
    • Dept. of Rural Economic Development and Local Colleges for further advertising, volunteers and tourism program development.
    • Oil/Gas Companies could be approached for donations for a Positive PR campaign regarding the JWHT.
10
PZP Population Control
  • The population at Assateague National Park has dropped from 173 animals to 164 over the ten year period during the time the vaccine has been used at the management level.
  • PZP is very safe, can dart a pregnant mare or double dart without issue.
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PZP Implementation
  • Dart without round up, all mares for the first 3 to 4 years.
    • No booster shot first year, PZP will have 50% efficacy. Second year will be 90% effective.
    • Darting costs are no more than the round-up costs per horse
    • Dart 1 and two year olds as well.
    • Later dart more selectively based on herd needs.
  • Allow each mare one breeding as on ASIS for genetics preservation.
  • Obtain population modeling
12
Grazing Is Conserved
  • Deer and Elk population
    • 2000 Deer and 1000 Elk
  • Keeping the wild horse herd at 200 will slightly inhibit deer and elk from migrating through the JWHT.
  • It will also inhibit horses from the Jicarilla reservation from flowing over onto the JWHT.
  • The nine Permitee’s cattle have been at low numbers this yr 25 versus the 150 or so permits.
  • When grazing is scarce the wild horses will move onto the rest of the Carson National Forest.
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Future Tourism Costs
  •    Could be covered by fund raising efforts.


    • Tour Bus and Maintenance
    • Volunteer Housing
    • Camping facilities
    • Educational Tours Development
14
Promotional Material
Wild Horse Preserves
  • Foster Horse Materials from Assateague Maryland
  • Return to Freedom’s, Ca Film showing PZP darting and Educational Tours.
  • Black Hills Sanctuary Pamphlet (They have some NM USDA Forest Service horses)
15
Soft Copy Attachments
  • Governor Richardson letter of support
  • US Representative Tom Udall’s two letters of support
    • Support for Herd Size
    • Support for Wild Horse Tourism
  • SM2 Improve Management of Wild Horse (Final Version)
  • SM2 with unanimous Senate Vote
  • SM2 financial analysis showing NM State Dept. of Tourism support
  • SB296 financial analysis-strong NM State Tourism Dept. support
  • WHOA Tourism Package
  • Wild Horse Pictures JWHT and El Rito (Forest Service)
  • Stan Dykes herd maintenance Estimates for Jicarilla herd, response to questionnaire.
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Articles/Films/Brochures/Q&A’s
  • Black Hills Grant Review April 2005
  • Black Hills Brochure
  • Return to Freedom DVD showing PZP darting
  • Return to Freedom Brochure
  • Kirkpatrick Eco Tourism Questions
  • Managing Wild Horses Through Fertility Control
    By Jay F. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., Director, The Science and Conservation Center (Billings, MT)
  • Linda Coates_predators
  • Carl Zimmerman Eco Tourism Questions
  • Carl Zimmerman Eco Tourism Questions2
  • Jicarilla Tourism Testimonial
  • Chincoteague Q&A Tourism


17
Future Gathers
  • If future gathers are deemed necessary in the JWHT, until PZP population control was achieved, it is worth considering gathering only yearlings as they may have an easier adjustment.