Assateague Island is home to two groups of equines. One part of the island is administered by Maryland and the other by Virginia. The horses on the Virginian land are known as Chincoteague ponies and are fenced off from the Assateague horses. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company owns the Chincoteague ponies and, once a year, they are swum from Chincoteague Island where surplus young stock is auctioned. The Swim is part of a celebration and fair which draws thousands of tourists each year.
The Maryland area also has a number of horses running in the State Park and on the Island National Seashore. The Maryland equines are known as Assateague horses rather than ponies. All subsist on a meagre diet of cordgrass and whatever other vegetation they can find. The characteristic bloated appearance is because their salty diet causes them to drink more than would otherwise be the case.
No-one is positive as to how the animals first came to be on the island. Some believe they are descended from Spanish steeds which swam ashore after the ships on which they were travelling were wrecked. Others believe that early settlers released their farm livestock on the island to avoid paying taxes.
Over the years, the animals became very inbred and developed quite severe conformation defects. Misshapen legs and hooves, narrow chests and lack of bone were the major problems. Arabian, Welsh and Shetland stallions were released onto the island from early in the 20th century. The aim was to add new blood and hopefully improve the quality.
The poor grazing and harsh conditions kept the breed small in size. Today they range from 13 to 15 hands. They are sturdy and tough. Solid colors are seen but many are broken-colored.
The National Park Service maintains a herd of around 140 on the Maryland side. These have adapted to storms, high temperature, inadequate pasture and mosquitoes. Over the years many visitors have gone to the island to see them. This has caused some problems for both parties.
Some of the animals have become accustomed to being fed tidbits. They can then become aggressive when the food runs out. They lose their fear and with it, their respect for humans. There are numerous examples of visitors being bitten or kicked. Some of the animals are hit by cars and injured or killed. The horses are best enjoyed from a distance and left to be truly wild.
Having a herd isolated on an island has been of benefit to researchers. There have been many studies of the herd on subjects such as equine behavior. Once the herds came under the jurisdiction of authorities, over-grazing was seen to be a problem and contraceptive issues were considered. Most mares are now darted with a contraceptive agent. A success rate of 95% has been achieved over a period of seven years. A mare is allowed to bear foals until there is sufficient genetic representation of her bloodline. Her breeding rate is then controlled for the rest of her lifetime. With luck Assateague horses will continue to delight visitors for years to come.
The Maryland area also has a number of horses running in the State Park and on the Island National Seashore. The Maryland equines are known as Assateague horses rather than ponies. All subsist on a meagre diet of cordgrass and whatever other vegetation they can find. The characteristic bloated appearance is because their salty diet causes them to drink more than would otherwise be the case.
No-one is positive as to how the animals first came to be on the island. Some believe they are descended from Spanish steeds which swam ashore after the ships on which they were travelling were wrecked. Others believe that early settlers released their farm livestock on the island to avoid paying taxes.
Over the years, the animals became very inbred and developed quite severe conformation defects. Misshapen legs and hooves, narrow chests and lack of bone were the major problems. Arabian, Welsh and Shetland stallions were released onto the island from early in the 20th century. The aim was to add new blood and hopefully improve the quality.
The poor grazing and harsh conditions kept the breed small in size. Today they range from 13 to 15 hands. They are sturdy and tough. Solid colors are seen but many are broken-colored.
The National Park Service maintains a herd of around 140 on the Maryland side. These have adapted to storms, high temperature, inadequate pasture and mosquitoes. Over the years many visitors have gone to the island to see them. This has caused some problems for both parties.
Some of the animals have become accustomed to being fed tidbits. They can then become aggressive when the food runs out. They lose their fear and with it, their respect for humans. There are numerous examples of visitors being bitten or kicked. Some of the animals are hit by cars and injured or killed. The horses are best enjoyed from a distance and left to be truly wild.
Having a herd isolated on an island has been of benefit to researchers. There have been many studies of the herd on subjects such as equine behavior. Once the herds came under the jurisdiction of authorities, over-grazing was seen to be a problem and contraceptive issues were considered. Most mares are now darted with a contraceptive agent. A success rate of 95% has been achieved over a period of seven years. A mare is allowed to bear foals until there is sufficient genetic representation of her bloodline. Her breeding rate is then controlled for the rest of her lifetime. With luck Assateague horses will continue to delight visitors for years to come.
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