Navajo Nation rounds up horses on drought-stricken land

Navajo Nation rangers have rounded up numerous horses in northwestern New Mexico under an operation conducted as part of the tribe’s response to the continuing drought. A natural resources law enforcement official says least 248 horses were seized through Thursday and that additional horses were seized in operations late last week. According to the Gallup Independent, the horses are said to be either feral or belong to residents who lack grazing permits or have more horses than their permits allow. Grazing official Wilbur Murphy says horses unclaimed by residents will be sold to a buyer either for resale off the reservation or for transport to Mexico for slaughter for meat. The Navajo Nation has voiced support for a Roswell company’s plan to begin slaughtering horses for meat. AP