Wild Ponies of Chincoteague

Wild Horses

• Wild horses are found all over the U.S.– Montana, Colorado, Utah,

Idaho, California, Virginia, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon

• The ponies on Chincoteague are the most well known– Book, Misty of

Chincoteague

Where did they come from?

• There are several rumors concerning the origin of the ponies– Ponies swam ashore from a

shipwrecked Spanish galleon in the 16th Century

– Ponies swam ashore from a wrecked ship bound for the English colonies

– Pirates brought the ponies to the island

Most probable explanation

• Ponies are most likely descendents of horses brought to Assateague during the 17th century by mainland owners– Early settlers used

Assateague Island as a natural corral to avoid fencing laws and taxation of livestock

“Wild” Ponies?• Feral and wild are both used

when referring to the ponies– Because they take care of

themselves in all seasons with minimum help from humans, they can be considered wild

– Can also be referred to as feral because they are most likely descendents of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state

• Referred to as ponies because of their naturally small size, most likely due to harsh conditions of the island

Virginia vs. Maryland

• There are two distinct groups of ponies– Herd is separated by a

fence on the Virginia/Maryland state line

– Each herd has divided themselves into bands of two to ten animals and each band occupies a home range

Maryland Ponies• National Park Service is in

charge of the Maryland herd

• Population has climbed from 21 animals in 1965 to 174 today

• 150 is recommended limit for the number of ponies

• There is evidence that the horses are having a significant negative impact on the dune and salt marsh habitat due to overgrazing

Maryland Ponies• In an attempt to control the population growth, a

contraceptive has been developed and in use since 1994

• Non-hormonal contraceptive vaccine that stimulates the horse’s immune system to produce antibodies which will block fertilization at high levels

• Effect is temporary, lasting about one year, but can be extended with an annual booster shot

• Long term effects not known, so vaccine is administered only after one or two births

Virginia Ponies

• Often referred to as Chincoteague ponies• Property of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire

Company• Allowed to graze under a special permit issued to

the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge by the Fish and Wildlife Service

• Herd is limited to a maximum of 150 ponies– Research has indicated that any negative effects of

grazing on the overall habitat of the refuge are minimized the limit

Pony Penning

• Penning allows the limit of 150 ponies to be maintained

• “Saltwater cowboys” round up the Virginia herd and they swim across the channel to Chincoteague

• Most of the foals are auctioned off and the remaining horses swim back to Assateague

• Most foals are easily tamed and adapt well to domestic life

Fire Department

• Proceeds from the auction go to the fire department

• Fire department has the best equipped emergency response operation on the Eastern Shore and one of the best in the state

References

• http://www.theponycam.com/index.html• http://www.assateague.org/plover/1-96-e.html• http://nickie.net/Chincoteague.html• http://www.patandersonphoto.com/chinco.htm• http://www.pony-chincoteague.com/info.html• http://www.comptons.com/encyclopedia/CAPTIO

NS/20005620_P.html• http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/HORSES/CHI

NCOTE/• http://atbeach.com/mdstpark/index.html

Pony Penning

• Began in the 17th century when unclaimed horses were captured and marked by colonists in the presence of their neighbors on a day of fellowship and festivity

• Modern pony penning began in 1924 in an effort to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company

• Major tourist attraction• Allows the ponies to be monitored and their health

maintained

Virginia Ponies

• Undergo a veterinarian check twice a year– In April, they are

vaccinated against encephalitis, rabies, tetanus, tested for EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia or swamp fever), dewormed and some horses have their hooves trimmed

• Fenced off from road areas to stop people from feeding them and attracting them to cars and roadways

Assateague Island

• Assateague Island is 37 miles long with approximately 300 horses divided between Maryland and Virginia

• Ponies are known as Chincoteague ponies because of the annual auction

Appearance of ponies

• Flowing manes and tails

• Adults weigh 750 lbs• 12-13 hands (52 in)• Variety of colors,

often with paint markings

• Powerful natural breed

What Do They Eat?

• About 80% of their diet is saltmarsh cordgrass and American beachgrass

• Also may add thorny greenbriar stems, bayberry twigs, rose hips, sea weeds and poison ivy

• Drink twice as much water as domestic horses, which gives them a fat appearance