New breed of horses used to protect Arizona border

NOGALES, AZ - U.S. Border Patrol agents are using a new breed of horses in the border battle, saving taxpayers a lot of money.

The agency just purchased 16 new wild Mustangs from Nebraska.

The Bureau of Land Management selects the horses to help control the environment.

Typically the horses that protect Arizona’s border come from Nebraska or Colorado.  Before being purchased by Border Patrol, the horses are trained by state prisoners. 

The Mustangs go through intense training, working six- to eight-hour days. They are learning commands and building a trusting relationship with the agent that will ride them.

Border Patrol would purchase horses from breeders, which would cost them between $2,000 to $3,000.

Horses purchased under the Mustang program cost between $600 and $900, saving taxpayers thousands on each horse.