Sandoval County Publishes Rules and Permits for Placitas Free Roaming Horses
Sandoval County maintains a dedicated webpage with background, ordinance text, and a permit process addressing the ongoing presence of free roaming horses in Placitas. The page documents past management efforts, including a 2018 fertility control program, and provides the authoritative source for feeding rules, permits, and official contacts that affect local residents.

Sandoval County now directs residents to an official webpage that consolidates the county record on free roaming horses in the Placitas area, including historical background, advisory council work, ordinance text, and a permit process for controlled feeding. The site outlines county ordinances and resolutions that govern interactions with free roaming horses, and it serves as the primary location for residents seeking the current legal rules and application information.
The county record traces local management actions over time and notes a 2018 fertility control program administered by Mt. Taylor Mustangs that used PZP as a population management tool. Advisory council work on the issue is documented on the page, and the county links the full ordinance and resolution documents so residents can review the exact legal language that governs behavior around free roaming horses.
Key policy elements available on the county page include a ban on feeding free roaming horses, with a defined permit process for controlled feeding under specified conditions. The permit process is intended to balance animal welfare concerns against public safety and land use considerations, while providing a mechanism for regulated, accountable feeding where it is permitted. The page also lists contacts and additional resources for residents who want more information or who wish to apply for a horse feeding permit.

The free roaming horse issue touches land use, public safety, animal welfare, and neighbor relations in Placitas, and it has been the subject of ongoing county level policy discussion. Having ordinance text and the permit procedure accessible in one place increases transparency, and it gives residents and local officials a clear reference for enforcement and for permitted activities. Residents should consult the county webpage for the most current ordinances, permit rules, and official contact information if they have concerns, questions, or wish to apply for a feeding permit.
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