Sandi Claypool and her mother, Ila Bromberg, founded Monero Mustangs in New Mexico as a non-profit entity in May of 2003.  Both have worked with wild horses for many years.  Ila was educated as an archeologist and developed a deep interest in the origins and history of the Spanish Horse in America.  Sandi has always been a natural-born rescuer, taking in and caring for creatures large and small all her life - at times including the human child variety!  Living for years in the Southwest, Ila and Sandi grew to love and appreciate the rich stories of how these strong and intelligent creatures came to this land and how they contributed to the survival of the native populations.

      In 1998 due to monumental pressure from ranchers holding cattle grazing permits within the Jarita Mesa Wild Horse Territory, the USDA Forest Service began gathering these horses to avoid over-grazing and subsequent starvation.  The Forest Service offers these horses for adoption on an individual basis, therefore causing or contributing to the depletion or complete loss of the original DNA of the Jarita Mesa Spanish horses.  It was estimated there were only 60 horses remaining from the original band.

 

    It was at this time that Sandi adopted Katzman Dancer.  Katzman Dancer is now considered to be the foundation stallion, having been DNA tested and ranking very high with the original Spanish markers.  Through subsequent breeding, Monero Mustangs was established.