There are many things different about Chinle. There is no New York Times, no local paper, and not even USA today. There is only one FM station (Country Music uggh!) and one AM station (Navajo). There are few trees and nothing resembling a planned community. What really separates Chinle from many other small are the feral horses that roam the streets and highways. These are somewhat wild horses that are one or two generations away from being domestic riding horses. There is one herd that is always hanging out in the center of town feeding on what little grass there is and the leftover hay from daily hay sale lot. I do not know where they get water as there is no running water anywhere. There are other feral animal around town also such as dogs, cats, goats, and sheep but it is the horses that one sees most often. Apparently people try to do something about them after a horse encounters a car with both side losing. However, after a while things return to normal and the horses roam freely.
Part of the problem is the love that Navajo about animals and a desire to let animals be. People like the fact that animals can roam free and not possessed by anyone. Navajo are traditional herders and have always lived among animals so the presence of animals is a comfort to them. If you drive to Chinle, slow down as you approach town and watch out Seabiscuit, National Velvet, and Trigger.
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