Assateague Island, a beautiful barrier island located off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, is home to the infamous wild horses that have captured the hearts of many.
These majestic animals roam freely across the sandy shores and marshes there. As I stood on the sidewalk of the public beach parking lot at Assateague Island National Park, watching the horses walk between the rows of cars on the hot concrete, I felt that I didn’t belong. This island belonged to the horses.
I wanted to show you some background to these magnificent creatures as well as tell you about my visit. Here goes.
What Makes Assateague Island Special?
Assateague Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history. Stretching over 37 miles, this island is characterized by stunning beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests. Perhaps the most iconic feature of Assateague is its population of wild horses, well, feral. These feral horses roam freely across the island, creating a unique and captivating experience for visitors.
It’s an area where visitors can experience the diverse ecosystems that support a variety of wildlife. Not just the horses but lots of birds, deer, foxes and an extensive array of other mammals. Off the shore there is a magnitude of marine wildlife species.
Assateague Island is in constant change due to shifting sands and tides according to season and weather. There are sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays to discover, a multitude of flora and fauna thrive on the island.
The interplay between land and sea offers various habitats, which is crucial for the survival of the wild horses and other species.
The Park has plentiful opportunities for recreation and leisure including camping and kayaking. In fact many visitors to the island come for adventurous activities, water acivities and beach activities as well as those to see the horses. So as you might imagine the car parks can become busy around peak times between the hours of 11 am – 2 pm.
During my last visit, every parking lot on Assateague Island was full. People were out on the beach in full force, with their kites and bogey boards, umbrellas and suntan lotion.
The Ranger said the horses wouldn’t go near the beach with all the people present, so I enjoyed the hot sun and wave jumping for a couple of hours, but got impatient to track down the horses I had come to see.
A Brief History of the Wild Horses
The lore surrounding the wild horses of Assateague Island dates back to the 17th century when it is believed that Spanish explorers brought horses to the region via a Spanish galleon shipwreck. This even led to stories and rumours that pirate treasure is buried somewhere here.
The horses then escaped or were left behind, and over time adapted to the wild conditions of the island.
The more boring explantion could be that in the long past the residents of nearby areas of Maryland and Virginia put their horses there to escape taxes on them.
In the early 20th century, the horses became more well known and a tourist attraction, and their story began to capture public interest.
Today, the horses are protected by law, and efforts are made to maintain their population within certain levels while ensuring they remain a part of the island’s ecosystem.
The horses on the island are split into 2 herds in effect, with the island separated by a fence across the middle. The Northern herd on the Maryland side and the Southern Herd on the Virginia side.
Meet the Horses
Physical Characteristics
The wild horses of Assateague Island are also known as Chincoteague ponies, a breed recognized for its unique physical traits. It must be said that they are actually horses, not ponies.
Generally smaller than typical horses, these ponies stand about 12 to 14 hands tall. They possess a sturdy build, with a thick mane and tail, and are often seen in various shades, including bay, chestnut, and gray. Their hoofs are adapted for traversing sandy and marshy terrains, making them well-suited for life on the island.
The horses of Assateague may look more rounded and bloated looking to a traditional domesticated horse. This is due to diet. A domestcated horse has a balanace of grains and fruit given to them The horses here on the island have a naturally high salt diet. To combat this they drink at least twice the amount of water than normal horses, hence bloat.
They sometimes go onto the beaches to have a gallop and escape the marshes and mosquitoes there, this can be an unforgettable sight.
One distinctive feature of these ponies is their thick coats, which provide insulation against the harsh weather conditions that can occur in this coastal environment. These adaptations allow them to thrive in the island’s unique climate, which can be both warm in summer and cold in winter.
Behaviour and Social Structure
The horses are social animals, often living in herds led by a dominant stallion. These herds usually consist of several mares and their foals.
The social structure is essential for their survival, as it helps in protecting the young and ensuring a stable environment for breeding. The stallion plays a crucial role in defending the group from threats, whether from predators or rival stallions.
How the Horses Fit into the Ecosystem
Wild/feral horses play an essential role in the Assateague Island ecosystem. As herbivores, they contribute to the landscape by grazing on grasses and shrubs, which helps maintain the balance of plant life. Their grazing habits prevent certain plant species from dominating the landscape, promoting overall biodiversity.
Moreover, the horses’ movement across the island helps with the dispersal of seeds, aiding in the growth of various plants. Their presence also attracts other wildlife, creating a dynamic interdependent relationship between species on the island. This intricate balance highlights the significance of the wild horses in maintaining the health of Assateague’s ecosystem.
In effect the horses are naturalised to the island. They were introduced yet did not take over as a dominant being. Non invasive.
Chincoteague Pony Swim
One of the big draws that brings visitors flocking to the area is the Chincoteague pony swim. It is held annually by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company during July.
It really is a spectacle to see as all the horses are rounded up by the Saltwater Cowboys and they all swim across to Chincoteague Island.
The swim happens at a Slack Tide (the calm point between low and high tide). Once on the other island a lot of the foals are auctioned off to raise funds for the fire department. It also helps to keep the horse numbers at the level of 150.
Some of the foals are auctioned on a ‘buy back’ basis. This helps to raise funds whilst at the same time keeping a number of younger horses for reproduction purposes.
After the auction the horses swim back to Assateague Island. The swims themselves create an influx of visitors numbering 10s of thousands.
Visiting Assateague Island
I had heard that to see the wild horses, timing is essential. The best months to view these majestic creatures are typically from late spring through early fall, when they are most active and visible. During the summer months, horses often venture closer to the beach, making sightings even more likely.
I got talking to a park ranger about the horses and had warned me stay at least 10 feet away, as many people had been bitten or kicked if they got too close.
In the car I continued to drive, the concrete road turned into sheer white sand.
There was a sign that said I had to empty the air out of my tires before continuing, and the vehicle had to be a 4-wheel drive, which my rental car was not. I hopped out and started trekking on foot, walking in sand so deep and soft that I sank in up to my ankles.
None of my previous sand-walking tricks were keeping me from kicking up sand with each step. But there were the horses…on my left! They were staying on the other side of the ridge line from the beach, away from the people.
They were still a good 100 yards away, but I was able to see them in their natural environment, and they were breath-taking. The 8 hours I had driven for just this moment was completely worth it!
As two horses came walking my direction, I realized my back was against a large bush, and there was another horse around the bush on the left. The best I could do was scoot around the right side, and hope I didn’t move fast enough to startle the horse that was only three feet away at this point!
Here were five horses walking my direction, towards the sand I was standing on and the grasses growing there. I started taking pictures as fast as I could, all the while trying to move out of the way.
Others were doing the same…turning to stare and whip out their cameras as fast as possible, like we were seeing freaks at the carnival.
Only, in reality, we were the freaks, and the horses were watching us. We were stumbling our way through taking pictures, and they were gracefully plodding among us. I was amazed by their patience…and thankful for it!
Conclusion
They’ve adapted to this new version of their “wild” life, and have learned to coexist with us humans. But, even though they’ve let us in to their space so well, they are still wild horses, and this is still their home. I’m just an interloper, and they’ll remind me if I’m not acting like an appropriate guest.
The wild horses of Assateague Island are more than just a captivating sight; they are a symbol of nature’s resilience and beauty. Their story highlights the complexities of wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting habitats for future generations.
As stewards of the environment, we hold the responsibility to ensure that these remarkable animals continue to thrive in their natural home.
You may also like:
Great Falls Park, Virginia
The Amazing Journey of a Blind Horse
FAQs
How did the wild horses end up on Assateague Island?
The wild horses are believed to be descendants of horses brought by Spanish explorers in the 17th century. Over the years, some horses escaped or were left behind and adapted to the island’s wild conditions.
What is the size of the wild horse population on Assateague Island?
The wild horse population on Assateague Island typically is kept at around 150.
Is it safe to approach the wild horses?
No, it is not safe to approach wild horses. Visitors should maintain a distance of at least 40 feet to ensure both their safety and the well-being of the horses.
