EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. Border Patrol’s Big Bend Sector marks a historic milestone with the birth of a new horse, the first horse ever born into a horse patrol detachment.
The foal, named Dolly, is the first horse born into Border Patrol’s 100-year history, the department said in a news release on Thursday, March 13.
Dolly was born on March 9 to her mother, Juanita, at the Sierra Blanca U.S. Border Patrol Station in Sierra Blanca, Texas. That is almost 100 miles east of El Paso.
According to Border Patrol, the name “Dolly” was selected from a list of names submitted by students from Sierra Blanca Independent School District.
“This is a remarkable moment for the U.S. Border Patrol,” Chief Patrol Agent Lloyd M. Easterling said. “Dolly is the first foal ever born to a U.S. Border Patrol horse and she represents the potential of our program. We are equally proud that the community had a hand in naming her.”
According to the agency, horses are an essential asset to Border Patrol agents in traversing the terrain around the Big Bend Sector.
“Horses provide a strategic advantage in remote areas by helping agents track, detect and interdict illegal activity while also strengthening the connection between Border Patrol and local communities,” according to Border Patrol.
Dolly and Juanita are being closely monitored to ensure that Dolly grows strong and healthy, the agency said.
Border Patrol says Dolly will begin her journey with the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Station to potentially join the agency’s equine stable.
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