New Mexico State University plans to phase out funding of the school's equestrian team after the 2016-2017
season.
Supporters of the equestrian program are seeking private funding to make the program self-sustaining.
University officials say NMSU still will fully honor the scholarships of its current equestrian student-athletes for the remainder of their eligibility.
NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers said in a statement Friday that the university continues to be under pressure to trim its budget by more than $12 million.
The school has made recent cuts to its budget due to declining state funding and declining enrollment.
Other cuts include eliminating vacant and filled positions around the university, eliminating the on-campus employee health center and beginning the process to eliminate the engineering surveying program.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.