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.
Those on the Maryland side have free range over the Assateague Island National Seashore and the State Park. The sparse grazing consists mostly of cordgrass supplemented by other vegetation. Because their diet is so salty, the horses drink much more water than equines on the mainland, making them appeared bloated or fat.
There is no definitive evidence to say how the animals first came to the island. There were Spanish ships wrecked in the area in the early days of America's settlement and some believe the Assateague horses are the descendants of Spanish steeds which made their way to the island. It is also possible that their ancestors were farm stock released on the island by early settlers. This would have been a way of avoiding livestock 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 Maryland herd consists of around 140 animals. It is maintained by the National Park Service, which refers to them as Assateague horses. They have to cope with high temperatures, storms, mosquitoes and very little pasture. It is possible to visit the island and interact with the animals. Unfortunately these meetings can be fraught with problems.
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.
The Maryland herd has been the focus of ongoing trials on subjects such as equine behavior. Over the years, increasing numbers resulted in over-grazing becoming a major problem. The solution has been to dart the mares with a contraceptive agent. There has been a 95% success rate over a seven-year period. When there is enough genetic representation in the herd from a mare, she is then put on a contraceptive plan for the rest of her lifetime. Hopefully Assateague horses will be around for many years to come.
Those on the Maryland side have free range over the Assateague Island National Seashore and the State Park. The sparse grazing consists mostly of cordgrass supplemented by other vegetation. Because their diet is so salty, the horses drink much more water than equines on the mainland, making them appeared bloated or fat.
There is no definitive evidence to say how the animals first came to the island. There were Spanish ships wrecked in the area in the early days of America's settlement and some believe the Assateague horses are the descendants of Spanish steeds which made their way to the island. It is also possible that their ancestors were farm stock released on the island by early settlers. This would have been a way of avoiding livestock 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 Maryland herd consists of around 140 animals. It is maintained by the National Park Service, which refers to them as Assateague horses. They have to cope with high temperatures, storms, mosquitoes and very little pasture. It is possible to visit the island and interact with the animals. Unfortunately these meetings can be fraught with problems.
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.
The Maryland herd has been the focus of ongoing trials on subjects such as equine behavior. Over the years, increasing numbers resulted in over-grazing becoming a major problem. The solution has been to dart the mares with a contraceptive agent. There has been a 95% success rate over a seven-year period. When there is enough genetic representation in the herd from a mare, she is then put on a contraceptive plan for the rest of her lifetime. Hopefully Assateague horses will be around for many years to come.
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