Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) has announced a $325,000 grant toward a comprehensive genetic viability study for the Salt River Herd of wild horses.
The Study
The Arizona Board of Regents unanimously voted to fund the study, which will be jointly conducted by Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona, with federal assistance from the US Geological Survey.
Additionally, specimen removals from the herd will be suspended under the current 2026-2027 management plan.
What Hobbs is Saying
"Arizona's Salt River horses are a beloved part of our state's heritage, and they deserve management that protects the herd for generations to come while preserving the natural ecosystem they rely on," said Gov. Hobbs in a press release, adding, "Partnering with our world-class state universities will give us the independent data we need to make informed and responsible decisions."
Reim's Opposition
In August, State Representative Cody Reim (R-3) expressed dissatisfaction with this program, previously advancing Senate Bill 1199, which would impose a longer suspension of herd removal, while the genetic study would be awarded via competitive bidding through the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
State Rep. Reim argued, "The people who fought for these horses earned this victory. They made the calls, demanded meetings, and kept the pressure on Governor Hobbs until doing nothing carried a political cost. Her administration had the authority to stop these removals months ago. She waited until August to do what we were asking her to do in April and May."
He emphasized that "Governor Hobbs is giving herself political cover. If advocates later challenge the methodology or the study is used to justify more removals, she can blame the universities. We wanted the standards, qualifications and accountability established in law before the study began... Governor Hobbs does not get to decide by press release that this issue is settled."
