Wild Horses of Assateague: Their Origin and More

The Assateague Island is home to a large population of wild horses, also known as the wild ponies of Assateague. Many people are curious as to how an island has such dense population of ponies. They wonder where did the wild ponies of Assateague come from. Here’s the answer-the horses of Assateague are feral animals i.e. they were once domesticated animals. Early settlers used these horses to round up the grazing cattle.

Check out our Visitor’s Guide to Assateague Island if you wish to camp between these horses someday.

Where did the wild horses of Assateague come from?

There are many different tales about the origin of the wild horses in Assateague. According to a common myth, these horses swam from a Spanish shipwreck to the island. However, no solid evidence is present to support this as of yet. According to a more realistic explanation, 17th century farmers brought these horses to the island to avoid fencing laws and taxes.

Differences from Mainland Horses

Due to harsh climate and poor available diet, horses on Assateague have begun to look different in appearance from those on the Mainland. Assateague’s horses normally grow to the size of ponies and have a bloated appearance. Hence, some people even refer to them as the “wild ponies” of Assateague.

The Two Herds of Assateague’s Wild Ponies

The border between the states of Virginia and Maryland divides Assateague into two parts. A fence exists on the border between the two states, which has resulted in the formation of two separate herds. Another name given to the herd in Virginia is “Chincoteague” ponies. There are close to 150 horses in each herd. Generally, horses on both sides of the border roam around in smaller groups of 5-10 horses. 

Managing the Wild Ponies of Assateague

Two separate organisations manage the wild ponies of Assateague. The National Park Service looks after the herd on the Virginia side of the border, whereas Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company looks after the herd on the Maryland side of the border. Both organisations work with one another to manage the ponies and maintain their population close to 150 horses.

Researches claim that ponies per herd must not exceed 150 for maintainence local ecosystem. 

Controlling the Population of Wild Ponies in Assateague

Different methods are used to control the population of ponies on each side of the border. On the last Wednesday and Thursday of July, each year, the event “Pony Penning” takes place in Virginia. On Wednesday, all the ponies are rounded up and made to swim to Chincoteague. A crowd of onlookers in greet and cheer the ponies in Chincoteague. An auction takes place on Thursday, where they auction most of the ponies. The remaining ponies swim back to the Island on Friday. 

In Maryland, the population grew exponentially after 1968, even exceeding the herd size of 150 ponies. This clearly meant that an action is needed. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company developed a contraceptive vaccine to control the population of the ponies.

Dart guns are used to administer the vaccine. The effects of the vaccine are temporary. Booster doses are administered once a year. The vaccine has proven to be quite effective and has helped in controlling the population of ponies in Assateague. 

Conclusion

We might not actually know where the wild horses or ponies of Assateague came from. However, one thing is for sure, they are a sight to behold. Researches and tourists both get amazed at their sight as the horses are living in a climate they were not made to thrive in.

Effective management can not only protect the ecosystem of Assateague, but also help the population of wild horses to flourish.