National Park Service Assateague Island U.S. Department of the Interior Assateague Island National Seashore Maryland and Virginia

The Wild Horses of Assateague Island

A National Treasure The wild horses of Assateague Island are descendents of domesticated animals brought to the island over 300 years ago. Horses tough enough to survive the scorching heat, abundant insects, stormy weather and poor quality food found on this windswept barrier island have formed a unique wild horse society. Enjoy their beauty from a distance, and you can help make sure these extraordinary wild horses will continue to thrive on Assateague Island. “My treasures do not click together or glitter. They gleam in the sun and neigh in the night.” - Bedouin proverb

Where did they come Were the horses shipwreck survivors . . . to pay taxes on all mainland livestock and fence from? Local folklore describes the Assateague horses them in. as survivors of a shipwreck off the Virginia Like people in the 21st century, these coast. While this dramatic tale of struggle and resourceful coastal residents looked for ways survival is popular, there are no records yet that to avoid paying this tax. They turned to nearby confirm it. Assateague Island with its abundance of food, shelter and a natural “corral” made of water to . . . or settlers’ horses? solve their problem. During the 17th century free-roaming horses, cows, sheep and pigs caused expensive crop It is likely that modern Assateague horses are damage to local farms. Farmers were required descendents of those hardy animals turned loose on the island to graze tax-free.

Living the wild life in Assateague’s horses are uniquely adapted to a new set of challenges. The horses escape the Maryland survive on a barrier island. How do they do it? mosquitoes and flies of the marsh by spending more time on the beach and in the surf, letting What do they eat? the refreshing ocean breezes carry away The horses spend most of their time airborne pests. grazing on abundant but nutrient-poor Cooler fall weather and fewer insects allow the saltmarsh cordgrass, saltmeadow hay and beach bands to move from the beaches back to the grass. The horses’ short stature is a result of marshes and their abundant grasses. hundreds of years of adaptation to this low quality diet. Genetically they are considered The horses prefer to browse in shrub horses, even though they are now pony size. thickets during the damp, chilly, winter season. Their thick, furry coats will protect them from The Assateague horses drink over twice the ferocious winter winds and the occasional amount of water that domesticated horses will snowstorm. due to their salty food supply. All that drinking combined with a high salt diet contributes to Do they receive veterinary care? their bloated appearance. While action may be taken to end the suffering Where do they live throughout the year? of a gravely ill, seriously injured, or dying horse, no measures are taken to prolong the lives of Spring brings cool, rainy weather and fresh Maryland’s wild horses. As with other species plant growth to the island. Many of the horses of Assateague wildlife, horses that are sick or live in the marshes close to their best food weak do not survive. This helps maintain a sources. Foals are usually born in late spring hardy, healthy population of wild horses. and live with their mothers in a family group called a “band”. Each band is usually made up Virginia’s horses are privately owned by the of 2 -10 mares, their offspring and a stallion. Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department and receive some veterinary care. Hot, humid, and full of insects, summer brings Where can you see the In Maryland Do not feed or pet the horses. Horses that wild horses? Maryland’s horses are owned and managed learn to come up to the road are hit and by the National Park Service. They are free- killed by cars. roaming wildlife and could be anywhere in the park. In Virginia Virginia’s horses are privately owned by the During the summer months many bands can Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department and be found on the beach. You can often see the are fenced in large enclosures. horses and other wildlife by driving slowly along park roads. Protect island habitat by Look for the horses in the marshes along Beach parking only in designated parking areas. The Road and from the observation platform on the “Life of the Forest” and “Life of the Marsh” Woodland Trail. trails are good places to look, especially during spring, fall and winter seasons.

Misty of Chincoteague Many visitors first learn about the Assateague On the following day most of the young foals and Pony Penning horses from Marguerite Henry’s famous book are auctioned off. Misty of Chincoteague. Written in 1947, this classic children’s tale tells the story of a Proceeds from the sale benefit the young horse called “Misty” and the children Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, who loved her. While the story is fiction, the which is responsible for the care and characters (including the horses) were real. management of the Virginia herd.

The story takes place during a traditional Virginia’s privately owned horses are kept Chincoteague festival called “Pony Penning”. separated from Maryland’s wild horses by a On the last Wednesday of July, the Virginia fence that runs across the Maryland/Virginia herd of horses is rounded up and swum from state line. Maryland’s horses are not rounded Assateague Island to nearby Chincoteage Island. up or sold at auction.

How is the population In Maryland Like people, wild horses are highly social controlled? It is important to limit the number of wild animals that form complex, family-based horses on Assateague. Left to themselves, the societies. Using this contraceptive method horses will quickly destroy the barrier island the population is controlled, and their natural environment that sustains them. relationships in the wild are preserved.

The National Park Service (NPS) wanted a Results of a 2005 genetic study of the entire safe, effective way to control overpopulation. herd will be used to help the NPS make wise Researchers working in conjunction with the herd management decisions. The goal of the NPS developed a non-hormonal, non-invasive NPS in Maryland is to keep herd size to less vaccine to prevent pregnancy. This vaccine than 125 horses. is delivered by a dart to the hindquarters of selected mares each spring. In Virginia

To keep the gene pool as large as possible each Virginia’s privately owned herd produces 60- mare is allowed to have one offspring. This 90 foals every year. Most of the foals are sold vaccine has successfully lowered the birth at the annual auction, which keeps the number rate of Maryland’s horses to fewer than 10 of horses at or below the 150 adults allowed by foals per year - enough to ensure a sustainable the grazing permit. population.

What can you do to Be a responsible visitor. Become a Foster Parent! support the wild horses? Assateague’s horses are beautiful, tough, and Through the Assateague Island Foster Horse wild. They have learned to survive in a harsh Program you can “adopt” a member of environment. Feeding and/or petting them is Maryland’s herd. These funds help support detrimental to both visitors and horses. the management of the horses and the environment they depend on to survive. • Horses can get sick from human food. Enjoy them! • Horses that learn to come up to the road to beg for food are often hit and There are few places in the United States killed by cars. where you can view wild horses. Due to their complex social structure the Assateague horses • Visitors are kicked, bitten and knocked display a wide range of unique behaviors. Take down every year as a direct result of advantage of the opportunity to view these getting too close to the wild horses. horses in a natural habitat.

• Treating wild horses like tame animals With careful management, the wild horses will takes away the wildness that makes continue to thrive on Assateague Island and them special. provide enjoyment to thousands of nature enthusiasts, photographers, and people who Protect your family by respecting theirs. just love horses! Give the horses the space they need to be wild. For more information on Assateague’s wild horses visit www.nps.gov/asis.

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