Anyone who's spent time along the US-Mexico is familiar with the infamous green and white SUVs that have been carting around US border guards for the last 30+ years, burning countless gallons of gasoline in search of smugglers and illegal immigrants. Recently, however some agents have begun reverting to an older method of tracking outlaws. They may not come with standard AC, but border agents in Arizona say that horses are a far better than 4X4s at patrolling the rugged back country areas.Units in Arizona, Texas and California already do their work on horseback , and many other sectors are preparing to invest in horse-power. Not only can horses ascend rugged mountain terrains more quickly and cleanly than 4X4s, but they have many other natural advantages. Horses move quietly, allowing agents to sneak through the deserts undetected. Horses also have better hearing and vision than we do and can alert their rider to the presence of other people.
OK, so the choice to go horseback is not primarily motivated by environmental concerns, but it is interesting that horses seem to be making a comeback. With high gas prices and pressing concerns about climate change many people's minds seem to be opening to the horse as a viable means of transport.
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