Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Next time any of you plan a trip to Northern New Mexico you might consider a trip to Jiicarilla Wild Horse Territory, beautiful scenery with lots of wildlife. 51 miles from my place in Chama.

A long day but IMHO worth the time. 5 different bands of Wild horses.



Location/Habitat

The Jicarilla WHT is located in New Mexico approximately 40 miles east of Bloomfield. The territory consists of 76,000 acres of National Forest land on the north end of the Jicarilla Ranger District. Wild horses on the Jicarilla WHT use this territory year round.

The topography is mountainous with elevations ranging from 6000 to 8000 feet. The climate is represented by hot, dry summers and cold winters. Temperatures range from below zero in the winter to 90°+ F in the summer.

Vegetation consists of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush communities at the lower elevations. At the mid and lower elevations, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, serviceberry, snowberry, and winterfat are common along with grasses and forbs. Ponderosa Pine and mixed conifer are present in the higher elevations.

One of the spots I stop and use my binoculars & spotting scope so I have a idea where to go. 100 to 150 horses spread out over 76,000 acres means finding them is a challenge.



Jicarilla Wild Horses














To additional photos

Yes, I used both my HoochieMama & Crow call to get their attention.

Nice shots Roger. You do have a way of getting them to look at the camera, thanks for the scenery shot at the top, really a good idea of the area. May have to add this place to the list when I get out there.

Larry Sullivan wrote:Nice shots Roger. You do have a way of getting them to look at the camera, thanks for the scenery shot at the top, really a good idea of the area. May have to add this place to the list when I get out there.

Thanks for your kind word Larry.

Thanks for posting those Roger. You've given Jean and I a day trip agenda for next summer.

Awesome, Roger. Thanks for sharing.

Rich Murray wrote:Thanks for posting those Roger. You've given Jean and I a day trip agenda for next summer.

It is beautiful country.

Jason Rose wrote:Awesome, Roger. Thanks for sharing.

I am glad you enjoyed them.

Great photos. The one of the mare and her foul are exquisite. The wild horses are tough to capture with a camera.

I am an equine massage therapist and have the opportunity to work with several of these horses after they have been trained. They are very dependable and take good care of their riders. May I post some of these photos on my Facebook page. I would of course give your credits. Jim Matheson

Jim Matheson wrote:Great photos. The one of the mare and her foul are exquisite. The wild horses are tough to capture with a camera.

I am an equine massage therapist and have the opportunity to work with several of these horses after they have been trained. They are very dependable and take good care of their riders. May I post some of these photos on my Facebook page. I would of course give your credits. Jim Matheson

Go ahead and post them, that will be fine.