Only a very few wild horses still exist in the US, and New Mexico, where in 1974 there were 6000 wild horses , now has less than 400.

Yet Bill Richardson, ubiquitously saddled-up marketer of the Land of Enchantment, seems to be waffling on signing a Wild Horse Protection Bill - after it passed unanimously in the House, and with one opposing vote in the Senate!

SB655 is the bill - that finally creates a legal definition for the wild horse in NM, and establishes protections conserving the Spanish Colonial Horse, already extinct in Spain.

The wild horse is an enchanting national treasure and an American icon, worth preserving for its own sake, but even viewed from a purely utilitarian perspective, the beautiful creatures could add economic value throughout the west through Equine Eco-Tourism, providing much- needed, clean, economic development in rural communities.

So, why don't he sign?

If Bill Richardson can't protect the Hispanic and wild horses in his own state, with the overwhelming support of the legislature, then how in the world could he, as president, be trusted to protect the rest of our country's or or the planet's precious, deteriorating, natural resources?

Good question! Ask Governor Richardson!