Bringing horses to northern New Mexico is exciting, but it takes a clear plan. Between high elevation, winter roads, and long drives to advanced vet care, small details matter for your horses’ safety and your peace of mind. In this guide, you’ll learn the permits you need, how to haul safely, and what to look for in horse‑ready land in Chama, Tres Piedras, and Ojo Caliente. Let’s dive in.
Start with required paperwork
Entry permit and CVI
If you are coming from another state, obtain a New Mexico entry permit before arrival. Start by checking the New Mexico Livestock Board’s current requirements and inspector contacts on the New Mexico Livestock Board site.
Most interstate moves also require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by a USDA‑accredited veterinarian. The CVI documents your horse’s identification and health status. Review the federal overview of movement documents in the USDA APHIS NVAP reference guide.
Coggins test for entry
Equidae entering New Mexico must test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia within the previous 12 months, and the result must appear on the health certificate. Confirm timing with your vet and keep copies in your travel binder. See the state rule on EIA testing in the New Mexico Administrative Code.
Brand inspection and hauling cards
Brand inspection is part of livestock movement in New Mexico. When you move horses between inspection districts or out of state, you typically need a brand inspection certificate or a permanent hauling permit (Form 1‑H). Horses residing in New Mexico more than 30 days must have brand inspection. Schedule ahead with your local inspector. For a practical overview, review NMSU’s guide to brand inspection.
Plan your route and season
Northern New Mexico sits at high elevation. Chama and Tres Piedras are around 8,000 feet with winter snow and icy roads, while Ojo Caliente is lower and more agricultural. Expect long distances to advanced equine hospitals in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, so aim for daylight travel and good weather windows.
Hauling best practices
- Offer water every 3 to 4 hours and provide forage in hay nets to reduce stress. See practical guidance from Extension equine transport resources.
- For long commercial trips, follow humane transport rules. The federal Twenty‑Eight‑Hour Law requires off‑loading for feed, water, and rest if animals are confined more than 28 hours. Read the USDA summary of the 28‑hour law.
- Check trailer brakes, lights, tires, floor, and partitions before departure. Mountain roads and cold snaps make mechanical prep essential.
Emergency contacts on the road
Carry numbers for your origin and destination veterinarians and the nearest referral hospital. For advanced care in the region, Thal Equine in Santa Fe is a key resource. Save the main contact from Thal Equine.
Pack a simple travel kit:
- First‑aid supplies, thermometer, bandage materials, and extra halters and lead ropes
- Printed CVI, Coggins, brand inspection or hauling permit, and ownership records
- Water containers, buckets, hay nets, spare tires, jack, flares, and reflective triangles
Set up your property for horses
Fencing, shelter, and access
Aim for safe, visible fencing and sturdy gates. Plan a quarantine area for new arrivals and set up a secure feed and tack room. In snow country, confirm roof load and wind protection, and make sure trucks and trailers can turn around easily on your driveway.
Water and acequia rights
In Ojo Caliente and nearby valleys, pasture often depends on ditch irrigation. Verify acequia membership, delivery schedules, and whether irrigation rights transfer with the property. Local associations publish governance and schedules, such as the Taos Valley Acequia Association.
Winter and remote-readiness
Consider heated waterers or de‑icers for freezing nights. For remote parcels, stage hay and bedding ahead of storms and keep a generator or backup plan for well pumps.
Ride public lands responsibly
Chama, Tres Piedras, and Ojo Caliente offer great access to Carson National Forest. Before hauling to trailheads, check current rules on group size, weed‑free feed, trail closures, and special use permits. Start with the Forest Service’s page for Carson National Forest permits and recreation.
Wildfire readiness for horse owners
Northern New Mexico is wildfire‑prone, so build a simple evacuation plan for large animals. Identify multiple routes, line up host barns, keep your trailer road‑ready, and store a grab‑and‑go kit with paperwork. Review practical steps in the state’s Ready, Set, Go guidance for large animals via Ready, Set, Go New Mexico.
Quick move checklist
Paperwork
- New Mexico entry permit if arriving from out of state (confirm with the Livestock Board)
- CVI issued by an accredited veterinarian plus negative Coggins within 12 months
- Brand inspection or permanent hauling card if required
Transport
- Trailer safety check, spare tires, jack, emergency reflectors
- Water every 3 to 4 hours, forage in hay nets, minimal grain pre‑haul
- Printed copies of all documents and emergency contacts
On arrival
- Quarantine area ready, safe fencing and shelter, secure feed room
- Verified water source and, if applicable, acequia delivery schedule
- Driveway access for trailers and winter gear staged
Local supplies and community support
You will find feed, shavings, and basic tack in regional hubs like Taos. For pasture planning, forage questions, and local contacts, county Cooperative Extension offices are helpful. Order hay ahead of winter and keep a short list of farriers, haulers, and trailer repair services that cover your area.
When you are ready to explore properties that work for both you and your horses, you deserve local guidance that understands land, water, access, and lifestyle. Reach out to Antonio Martinez to talk through your goals and map your next move.
FAQs
Do I need a Coggins test to bring a horse into New Mexico?
- Yes, equidae must test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia within the past 12 months and the result must be shown on the health certificate.
What paperwork do I need when hauling a horse into New Mexico?
- You typically need a New Mexico entry permit, a CVI from an accredited veterinarian, and a current negative Coggins; brand inspection or a permanent hauling card may also apply.
How often should I water and rest horses during a long haul?
- Offer water every 3 to 4 hours, provide forage during travel, and plan rest breaks that comply with humane transport rules such as the 28‑hour law for long commercial trips.
What should I verify about water on an Ojo Caliente property?
- Confirm source and rights, including acequia membership, ditch delivery schedules, and whether irrigation rights transfer with the deed.
Where is the nearest advanced equine hospital for this region?
- Advanced referral care is commonly in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, with Thal Equine in Santa Fe serving northern New Mexico.
