From:  Pat Bingham, New Mexico Horsemen’s Assn.

A number of Horsemen have raised concerns having to do with stops of vehicles by the Motor Transportation Division of the State of New Mexico State Police.  In this regard there have been two stops that have been brought to my attention one on the road from Oro Grande to Alamogordo and the other at the New Mexico port of entry on I-25 just north of Sunland Park. 

I spoke with Major Ron Cordova of the State Police (505.827.0302) and he informed me of the following:

Vehicles that have a combined gross vehicle weight of 10,001 lbs. or more and that are used for commercial purposes and which enter New Mexico through a port of entry from another state are considered to be commercial vehicles under New Mexico law.  (The law does not apply to RV’s, 5^th Wheels etc. or vehicles that are use for personal and non business reasons.)  A vehicle deemed a commercial vehicle under the law of NM must be operated by a driver who has a commercial driver’s license.  The vehicle is required to be registered with the NM DOT and a weight for distance log must be maintained.  There are other requirements which may apply as well. The vehicle is required to stop at each NM port of entry where the operator’s drivers license and registration will be checked.  My advice is to stay calm and comply with the officer’s request.  Explain to the officer that you are traveling from Sunland Park to a new destination, Ruidoso, Sunray, DAA etc. in New Mexico. Explain that you did not transact any business in  Texas and used the freeway for convenience.  Make sure that if you are hauling horses that you have the brand inspection, coggins, health certificate and foal certificate with you for each horse that is on board.  At present, to my knowledge, the officers are issuing warnings only.   

If a vehicle is operated solely within New Mexico the 10,001 pound combined vehicle weight does not apply.  Vehicles that are driven solely in New Mexico must have a combined vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs. more in order for the commercial vehicle laws to apply. 

I informed Major Cordova of the concerns that the Horsemen have about the enforcement of this law.  I asked him if he could provide me with additional information regarding the enforcement of the law, the possibility for a variance for vehicles that display a racing decal from one of the 5 NM tracks.  I also informed him that our Horsemen are using roads leading from Texas into NM including I-25 on a very limited basis and, because of necessity, being that they are based at Sunland Park which is in New Mexico.  He seemed sympathetic and agreed to provide me with the information that I requested. Once I receive the information from Major Cordova, I will relay it to the Horsemen.

In the meantime, I suggest the following:

If you can avoid going through Texas by taking another route to reach I-25 at a point north of the Texas/NM port of entry do it.  If you can’t avoid the port of entry or traveling on roads that lead into NM from Texas then stop at the port of entry and explain to the officers that you are coming from Sunland Park, New Mexico and plan to remain solely in New Mexico.  Also explain that you had to use I-25 to get from Sunland Park to New Mexico proper and that your travel time through Texas was limited and that you transacted no business in Texas.   Be respectful and show the officers your NM Racing Licenses and the race track decal that is on your vehicles’ windshield.  Hopefully this will smooth the way through the port of entry. 

On the subject of brand inspections for Horses:

The Livestock Board has stepped up enforcement of the laws that require that horses that are hauled in New Mexico have a brand inspection.  The main number to reach to set up a brand inspection at Sunland Park  is 915/740/5104 (Jennifer).  The main number for the NM Livestock Board is 505.841.6161.  The NMHA has requested information from the Livestock Board on how to get someone on contract to do brand inspections at each of the tracks for the convenience of Horsemen. We expect to receive this information very shortly.

To get a brand inspection you need $5.50 for each horse for a one way inspection or $35.00 for a permanent inspection,  the horse, a health certificate and negative coggins report and the horse’s foal certificate.  Call the inspector well ahead of the time that you plan to ship out. Call Pat Bingham at the NMHA   505.266.7056 or 505.205.6650 if you have any questions.