News
Apr 14 2010
A look at the impact of the Spanish horse
"A promise made is a promise kept."
Those seven words, spoken by Carlos LoPopolo, define his dedication to the New Mexican Horse Project as well as his determination to continue to protect and preserve the descendents of the original Spanish mustang — mesteño.
Mesteño, or horse without an owner, as defined in a 1450s Spanish dictionary LoPopolo came across, seems perfectly fitting for the horses running wild and free on the preserves.
LoPopolo began the New Mexican Horse Project in 1999. Today, there are 18 of the Spanish horses on the Cindy Rogers LoPopolo Wild Horse Preserve near Socorro and more than 15 on the Campbell Ranch Preserve in Tijeras. An additional 180 wild horses are running free on preserves in Wyoming and Montana through the New Mexican Horse Project's work with the Crow Nation.
"My goal is to see a band of Spanish horses on every national park in the U.S.," LoPopolo said.
While the accomplishments made over the past 11 years in the preservation of the wild horses has not been easy, LoPopolo, along with many scientists, historians and researchers hope to bring more awareness and historical data on the Spanish horse in their efforts to preserve and protect a breed that was here 58 million years ago.
Paul Polechla, an associate research biology professor at the University of New Mexico, has helped in the preservation of the wild horses for the past nine years and is currently working on a PBS documentary, traveling museum exhibit, book and Web site through a $75,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
His goal is to provide education on the history and impact of the Spanish horses from their beginning to the present day. The project is called "Natural History of the Horses of the American West."
"The goal is to implement an educational package involving STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics as it relates to the whole natural history of horses in the American West," Polechla said in an UNM Today article.
A conference will be held at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge beginning Friday, April 16, through Monday, April 19. LoPopolo said the morning sessions will be for the core group — which consists of scientists and historians who will present papers on the influence of the horse as well as presentations on DNA and genetics. Afternoon sessions on Saturday and Sunday will be open to the public and a questionnaire will be handed out before and after the movie shown to gauge the perceptions people have on the wild horses and if that perception has changed.
"People (scientists and historians) from all over the world that are dealing with the history of the horse will be there," LoPopolo said. "It's a different aspect than anything that's ever been done."
LoPopolo went on to say this project, once complete, will be an educational package on the complete history, origin, development, migration and return of the Spanish horses that will be sent out worldwide.
"The main thing on the project is to get a better understanding on the contribution the horse has made throughout the world, but primarily here in the U.S.," LoPopolo said.
There are many myths and misconceptions regarding the wild horses that lead many to believe they are a nuisance — especially for ranchers.
LoPopolo said people say a 1,000-pound horse eats more than a 1,000-pound steer but that is not true. He said they tend to believe that because a horse eats and moves a lot, but in reality, both the horse and steer of equal weight eat approximately 26 pounds of feed a day.
"We limit one horse per 125 acres," LoPopolo explained of the preserves and how much area the horses have to graze. "In some areas there are 10 to 12 cows in the same area and they (the areas) are overgrazed. The real ranchers taking care of the environment don't overgraze."
Something else people should know is how gentle the wild horses are, unless they are messed with. LoPopolo said the problem with some people is they think they have to dominate the wild horse.
"They survive by their wits," LoPopolo said.
And, unlike the domestic horse, he added that a wild horse can find water on their own. In fact, once on a preserve, LoPopolo said it takes about five years for a wild horse to learn every inch of the land.
"They know where to go to hide," he said. "It gets more and more amazing."
Despite progress made, there is much to do in preserving the lineage of these Spanish horses, and LoPopolo and the many people working toward protecting and preserving them are continuing their efforts through educating people.
"There's two reasons I'm doing this," LoPopolo said. "One is a promise and the other is a payback. There comes a time when you have to stop talking and start giving back. For me, it's the horses. For others it may be the Red Cross."
LoPopolo said he's never claimed to be a wild horse expert, but that his job is to protect them.
"Everything I do is for that purpose," he said. "That's why this conference is so important."
For more information on the conference or if you would like to attend, you must contact Polechla at 505-277-8170 or by e-mail to ppolechl@sevilleta.unm.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and request to attend either Saturday, April 17, or Sunday, April 18.
For information on the New Mexican Horse Project, visit www.nmhp.org.
Involved in the project are the New Mexican Horse Project, UNM Institute for Social Research, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, PBS, Smithsonian Institute, Texas A&M University, Cambridge University and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico.
Those seven words, spoken by Carlos LoPopolo, define his dedication to the New Mexican Horse Project as well as his determination to continue to protect and preserve the descendents of the original Spanish mustang — mesteño.
Mesteño, or horse without an owner, as defined in a 1450s Spanish dictionary LoPopolo came across, seems perfectly fitting for the horses running wild and free on the preserves.
LoPopolo began the New Mexican Horse Project in 1999. Today, there are 18 of the Spanish horses on the Cindy Rogers LoPopolo Wild Horse Preserve near Socorro and more than 15 on the Campbell Ranch Preserve in Tijeras. An additional 180 wild horses are running free on preserves in Wyoming and Montana through the New Mexican Horse Project's work with the Crow Nation.
"My goal is to see a band of Spanish horses on every national park in the U.S.," LoPopolo said.
While the accomplishments made over the past 11 years in the preservation of the wild horses has not been easy, LoPopolo, along with many scientists, historians and researchers hope to bring more awareness and historical data on the Spanish horse in their efforts to preserve and protect a breed that was here 58 million years ago.
Paul Polechla, an associate research biology professor at the University of New Mexico, has helped in the preservation of the wild horses for the past nine years and is currently working on a PBS documentary, traveling museum exhibit, book and Web site through a $75,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
His goal is to provide education on the history and impact of the Spanish horses from their beginning to the present day. The project is called "Natural History of the Horses of the American West."
"The goal is to implement an educational package involving STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics as it relates to the whole natural history of horses in the American West," Polechla said in an UNM Today article.
A conference will be held at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge beginning Friday, April 16, through Monday, April 19. LoPopolo said the morning sessions will be for the core group — which consists of scientists and historians who will present papers on the influence of the horse as well as presentations on DNA and genetics. Afternoon sessions on Saturday and Sunday will be open to the public and a questionnaire will be handed out before and after the movie shown to gauge the perceptions people have on the wild horses and if that perception has changed.
"People (scientists and historians) from all over the world that are dealing with the history of the horse will be there," LoPopolo said. "It's a different aspect than anything that's ever been done."
LoPopolo went on to say this project, once complete, will be an educational package on the complete history, origin, development, migration and return of the Spanish horses that will be sent out worldwide.
"The main thing on the project is to get a better understanding on the contribution the horse has made throughout the world, but primarily here in the U.S.," LoPopolo said.
There are many myths and misconceptions regarding the wild horses that lead many to believe they are a nuisance — especially for ranchers.
LoPopolo said people say a 1,000-pound horse eats more than a 1,000-pound steer but that is not true. He said they tend to believe that because a horse eats and moves a lot, but in reality, both the horse and steer of equal weight eat approximately 26 pounds of feed a day.
"We limit one horse per 125 acres," LoPopolo explained of the preserves and how much area the horses have to graze. "In some areas there are 10 to 12 cows in the same area and they (the areas) are overgrazed. The real ranchers taking care of the environment don't overgraze."
Something else people should know is how gentle the wild horses are, unless they are messed with. LoPopolo said the problem with some people is they think they have to dominate the wild horse.
"They survive by their wits," LoPopolo said.
And, unlike the domestic horse, he added that a wild horse can find water on their own. In fact, once on a preserve, LoPopolo said it takes about five years for a wild horse to learn every inch of the land.
"They know where to go to hide," he said. "It gets more and more amazing."
Despite progress made, there is much to do in preserving the lineage of these Spanish horses, and LoPopolo and the many people working toward protecting and preserving them are continuing their efforts through educating people.
"There's two reasons I'm doing this," LoPopolo said. "One is a promise and the other is a payback. There comes a time when you have to stop talking and start giving back. For me, it's the horses. For others it may be the Red Cross."
LoPopolo said he's never claimed to be a wild horse expert, but that his job is to protect them.
"Everything I do is for that purpose," he said. "That's why this conference is so important."
For more information on the conference or if you would like to attend, you must contact Polechla at 505-277-8170 or by e-mail to ppolechl@sevilleta.unm.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and request to attend either Saturday, April 17, or Sunday, April 18.
For information on the New Mexican Horse Project, visit www.nmhp.org.
Involved in the project are the New Mexican Horse Project, UNM Institute for Social Research, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, PBS, Smithsonian Institute, Texas A&M University, Cambridge University and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico.
