There are two herds of horses that have made their home Assateague Island. These wild animals graze the land between the Virginia and Maryland lines. The small, sturdy, shaggy horses have learned to adapt to their environment by feeding off of the dune and marsh grass located in the area.
For hydration, the horses drink from the fresh water that escapes the ponds. At first glance, these beautiful animals may appear tame. However, Park Rangers have to inform visitors to not let the looks of these creatures influence their decisions. The herds may appear tame, but they are wild.
Wild horses can and will lash out if they feel threatened. They do not take well to strangers. They should never be openly approached in the wild. The herds of horses that reside along Maryland are owned by the National Park Services. The herds residing in Virginia belong to the Chincoteague Fire Company.
The horses that live in Assateague Island have inhabited the area for hundreds of years. There are many individuals who live in the area who believe that the origin of the wild horses may date back to the original early settlers of the area. According to these individuals, when the early settlers cleared the area to move elsewhere, they only took what they could manage to carry, leaving their horses to fend for themselves.
Even though there are old wives' tales about how the horses came to be on the Island, evidence states something different. Evidence traces the origin of the horses back to Spanish descendants who had wrecked their ships off of the island. These settlers had brought their Spanish galleon horses across, which eventually gave way to the present horses living in the area.
Every year the fire department that owns the horses living on the Virginia side of the Maryland and Virginia state line will purchase a grazing permit. This permit gives the fire department permission to herd together 150 adult horses on the island. They take the horses from the island and ride them through the water to the state of Virginia.
During the ordeal of riding the Chincoteague ponies through the waters, thousands of people will stand by to watch the spectacle. The fire department will control the herds of horses by auctioning them off. These saltwater cowboys are a joy to watch, which is the main reason why tens of thousands of people come to view the site of cowboys riding horses in the deep waters.
For hydration, the horses drink from the fresh water that escapes the ponds. At first glance, these beautiful animals may appear tame. However, Park Rangers have to inform visitors to not let the looks of these creatures influence their decisions. The herds may appear tame, but they are wild.
Wild horses can and will lash out if they feel threatened. They do not take well to strangers. They should never be openly approached in the wild. The herds of horses that reside along Maryland are owned by the National Park Services. The herds residing in Virginia belong to the Chincoteague Fire Company.
The horses that live in Assateague Island have inhabited the area for hundreds of years. There are many individuals who live in the area who believe that the origin of the wild horses may date back to the original early settlers of the area. According to these individuals, when the early settlers cleared the area to move elsewhere, they only took what they could manage to carry, leaving their horses to fend for themselves.
Even though there are old wives' tales about how the horses came to be on the Island, evidence states something different. Evidence traces the origin of the horses back to Spanish descendants who had wrecked their ships off of the island. These settlers had brought their Spanish galleon horses across, which eventually gave way to the present horses living in the area.
Every year the fire department that owns the horses living on the Virginia side of the Maryland and Virginia state line will purchase a grazing permit. This permit gives the fire department permission to herd together 150 adult horses on the island. They take the horses from the island and ride them through the water to the state of Virginia.
During the ordeal of riding the Chincoteague ponies through the waters, thousands of people will stand by to watch the spectacle. The fire department will control the herds of horses by auctioning them off. These saltwater cowboys are a joy to watch, which is the main reason why tens of thousands of people come to view the site of cowboys riding horses in the deep waters.
