Transcript Document 7159296

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
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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