Posted: 5:47 PM
Last Updated: 43 minutes ago

By: Navideh Forghani
ABC15.com



NOGALES, AZ - U.S. Border Patrol is using a new breed of horses in the border battle. They’ve switched to wild Mustangs and that change is saving you money.

The agency just purchased 16 new wild horses 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, which is a savings of roughly $2,400 per horse.

U.S. Border Patrol saves tax dollars while keeping Arizona border safe