New Mexico's Wild Horses

You see them grazing on public lands that surround Albuquerque. Indeed, they are one of the most significant reminders of the cowboy and ranching heritage of New Mexico. The wild horses that have survived on the New Mexican range are a genetic and historic remnant of the Old West. The characteristics that were important in the Old West days are still found in our wild horses and burros: strength, endurance, and reliability. They are medium to heavy boned, carry themselves in a collected manner, and are surefooted over rough terrain. Adopters find gentled wild horses to be a smooth ride, capable of performing all day, and burros are reliable pack and companion animals. Their only natural predator is the mountain lion. In order to maintain the wild horse population at ecologically sustainable levels, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed, unanimously, through Congress and signed by former President Nixon on December 15, 1971. It became Public Law 92-195, which protects wild horses and burros within designated territories on both Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

The photo above shows wild horses along a stretch of old Route 66 between Albuquerque and Grants, New Mexico.

A Great Guide to Albuquerque Restaurants

One of the best features of Albuquerque is the quality of the local eateries. This is a great city for inexpensive dining, especially if you love New Mexican cuisine. Here is a website that does a great job of guiding you to the best dining in Albuquerque, Eat Albuquerque - ABQ Restaurant Reviews and Dining Guide. This well organized guide provides honest reviews of Albuquerque eateries with plenty of input from knowledgeable locals.

Native American Pueblos and Reservations near Albuquerque

A valued part of the cultural wealth of southwest living in New Mexico is the proximity to Native American Pueblos and Reservations. Native American culture permeates everything from architecture to cuisine in New Mexico. One way to learn more about it is by visiting the numerous pueblos and reservations near Albuquerque. What is the difference between a pueblo and a reservation?

Pueblos are traditional Native American communities of the Southwest. Though some pueblos have few standing adobe buildings, the communities are recognized worldwide for adobe buildings, which are also sometimes called "pueblos." The word pueblo, in Spanish, means "village". An Indian reservation is land which is managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Reservations were established when Americans began to forcibly take land from the American Indians, who had lived there for thousands of years. Because the land is federal territory and Native Americans have limited national sovereignty, there are often legal casinos on reservations, usually to attract tourists.

Native American Pueblos are sovereign nations, with their own laws and culture. A basic knowledge of proper etiquette when visiting these homelands is vital. This article from New Mexico magazine provides a brief guide to Native American Pueblos in New Mexico and basic etiquette required when visiting them.

The photo above shows part of the Walatowa Reception Area on the Jemez Pueblo in Central New Mexico (Highway 4, Jemez Mountains). This is the only part of the Jemez Pueblo where photography is allowed.