Assateague island is a 38 milelong wildlife refuge that since anyone can remember has been home to a herd of wild ponies that fluctuates in size every spring with a. Historians say that the wild horses are descendants of horses that were brought to barrier islands in the late 17th century by mainland owners to avoid. Assateague island national seashore photo workshop. Assateagues wild horses are well known, even to many people who have never been to the island. I was at assateague island last september and was fascinated by the small horses on the island. Assateague contains over 37 miles of pristine beach. There is plenty to see and do in this pristine park, including hunting, hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking. A tiny strip of land that runs along the coast of maryland and virginia, assateague island is a unique destination that is easily drivable from the baltimoredc area, and an accessible summer road trip destination for most east coasters. In a kid and adult friendly manner, it talks about assateague island, ponies and the history of assateague and its ponies. The wild horses on assateague are actually feral animals. Kay frydenborg traces the work of two wildlife veterinarians who protect and chart the lives of assateague islands wild horses, describing their shared efforts to balance the horses ecosystem and raise awareness. The maryland section contains the majority of assateague island national seashore and assateague state park.
The islands lucky ponies are cared for by the volunteer fire company of the local community who attends to their health, but leaves the horses to enjoy their life. It has a lot of really interesting facts and it is a great find whether you are sitting at home reading about it or actually visiting the island. After living in maryland for over a year we finally made it to the island. Henry came to chincoteague in 1946 to see the legendary wild ponies because she had heard of the spanish shipwreck legend. Pictures aside, my favorite part is how informative it is. While phenotypically horselike, they are commonly called ponies. See more ideas about chincoteague ponies, horses and chincoteague island.
With over two miles of beach, the water is your best friend. The book talks about the dangers of people interacting with the wild horses. Emma massingale no reins no rules no limits part one duration. Following in the wake of a storybook pony the new york times. Assateague island national seashore visitor services. Assateague island national seashore has two oceanside and four bayside camping areas for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island. Camping at assateague island national seashore is permitted only on the maryland side of assateague. Like much of virginia, chincoteague island is a fantastic place for a vacation, no matter the time of year. Assateague island maryland wild horses ponies terrorizing. Its a 37 mile long island that covers maryland and part of virginia.
Assateague shipwreck legend proved by preponderance of the. Camping at assateague assateague island national seashore. Each year nearly 50,000 tourists descend on the island for the annual roundup of the horses and pony swim where the horses are swum across the channel separating assateague island from chincoteague. On the island of assateague, along the seacoast of maryland and virginia, there is a breed of horses that has run wild for centuries. The national park service has classified their freeroaming herd of wild horses as a desirable exotic species. Wild horses have been present on assateague for hundreds of years they were originally descended from domestic horses that survived a shipwreck off the virginia coast in. The wild horses will kick, bite or charge on assateague island currently, there are well over 300 species of bird known to live on the island. Assateague island is a great place to visit anytime of the year and also a great place to see wildlife. Wild ponies in their natural habitat explore assateague island marine animal touch tank bird watching dredging for clams learn about the eco system see the fishing boats go by navigate ocs commercial fishing harbor handson crab and crab pot demonstration.
Marys song dream horse adventures ages 8 14 book 1. Assateague state park is also located on maryland side of assateague and provides over 300 campsites. You can opt for the national park service campsites, which have cold showers and chemical toilets, or assateague state park campsites, which offer bathhouse facilities with hot water. The book and movie brought the quiet little island of chincoteague, inhabited mostly by fisherman, to the attention of the world. Here you will find detailed information and abundant photographs, as well as where to find the herds and where to stay and eat while visiting. They live on the island year round and are thought to be descendants of the survivors of a ship wreck off the coast of virginia. Assateagues wild horses assateague island national. This centuriesold tradition is remembered every year when 50,000 tourists descend on the island of chincoteague to witness the annual pony swim and. Wild horses, dolphins, birdwatching, spectacular scenery and wildlife in virginia. A fence on the marylandvirginia line on assateague separates the two herds of wild horses.
They are beautiful and even look as if they have been well taken. During each census, horses are identified by their distinguishing characteristics, mapped and counted. When most of us think of going camping, we envision a wooded area filled with trees, dirt, and woodland creatures like bears, skunks, and squirrels. Assateague camping information assateague island national. Dec 30, 2018 assateague island national seashore campground. Mar 14, 2017 the wild horses on assateague are actually feral animals, meaning that they are descendants of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state. The park offers an extraordinary beach experience that allows visitors to enjoy wildlife and outdoor activities in a beautiful natural setting. Potential subjects include the sunrise, sand dunes, shells, the surf, beach vegetation, fisherman, the wild horses of assateague island, and local wildlife including whitetail deer, fox, raccoons, herons, rails, geese, ducks, shorebirds and other resident and migratory species. This 37milelong barrier island along the atlantic coasts of maryland and virginia includes adjacent marsh islands and ocean waters.
Wild horse islands is the most comprehensive site on the web concerning the wild horse herds that roam on barrier islands along the atlantic coast. Mar 27, 2017 wild horses have been present on assateague for hundreds of years they were originally descended from domestic horses that survived a shipwreck off the virginia coast in the late 17th century. Chincoteague and the wild horses of assateague island stayva. Both herds feature horses of the same short and stocky breed, known as the chincoteague pony or the assateague horsebut again, dont let the names confuse you. The legend that the wild horses on assateague came from a spanish shipwreck became internationally known with the publication of marguerite henrys misty of chincoteague in 1947. Coast guard certified tour boat misty departs from chincoteague island, virginia, by the beautiful southern part of assateague.
In this informational text, the author discuses how the horses likely came to the island and what their life is like on the island. The first thing visitors notice about assateague island national seashore is this. There are some truly huge numbers of avians, especially the great blue heron, snowy egret and the american oystercatcher. The 114 wild horses that inhabit the beachfront park along the atlantic ocean have full run of the place. The wild ponies that roam assateague island on the east coast of. Assateague explorer departs from the assateague nature centre the closest dock to assateague with the best access to all herds of horses along the island. The northern twothirds of the island is in maryland while the southern third is in. The assateague island national seashore was created in 1965 and spans 37 miles of seashore in virginia and maryland. On our most recent trip to ocean city, md we drove over to the maryland side of assateague island. The breed was made famous by the misty of chincoteague series of novels written by marguerite henry starting in 1947. It is located on assateague island, a barrier island bordered by the atlantic ocean on the east and the sinepuxent bay on the west. Apr 01, 1993 the book talks about the dangers of people interacting with the wild horses. A herd of wild horses roam free on assateague island in maryland, usa.
Set in the island town of chincoteague, virginia, the book tells the story of the beebe family and their efforts to raise a filly born to a wild horse. Kay frydenborg on the wild horse scientists and science in a salt marsh id always wanted to write about the wild horses of assateague, a barrier island off the coast of maryland and virginiaat least since being captivated by the childrens book misty of chincoteague published by marguerite henry in 1947. More than 300 wild ponies wander the beaches, inland pine forest, and salt marshes. Horses tough enough to survive the scorching heat, abundant mosquitoes, stormy weather and poor quality food found on this remote, windswept barrier island have formed a unique wild horse society. Assateague the second of four expected new foals was born into the he. Aug 18, 2014 although assateague island stretches along the coast of maryland to virginia, you can only camp on the maryland side. The most famous example of pzp use in free roaming horses is at assateague island national seashore off the coast of virginia and maryland. Two herds of wild horses make their home on assateague island, separated by a fence at the marylandvirginia line. The wild horses on assateague are actually feral animals, meaning that they are descendants of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state. The wild horses of assateague island island adventure youtube. The 2018 spring pony roundup is scheduled for april th and 14th. Anyone who wanted to go stargazing should go to the national park side of assateague because that is the darkest part of the island a great spot for doing that and the further. Camping with wild horses on assateague island allie marie.
The visitor center has excellent programs, exhibits, and educational materials available to familiarize visitors with the complex social behavior of these fascinating animals. Island of wild ponies andrea jauck and larry points, jeff d. Assateagues wild horses assateague island national seashore. This book looks at wild horses, specifically those on assateague island. The scientists that the book focuses on are researching population control methods.
Managed as a wildlife population, the assateague horses are free to roam over approximately 27 miles of the barrier island and can be difficult to find at times. See the wild horses of assateague at the 2018 spring pony. Assateague and chincoteagues most famous residents know how to stay safe in extreme weather conditions. The weekend prior to wednesdays pony swim, saltwater cowboys on horseback will begin to round up the approximately 150 adult wild ponies that live on assateague island, along with the 60 to 70 foals that were born in the spring. Interestingly, given a chance, they can switch to domestic use all over again. The chincoteague pony, also known as the assateague horse, is a breed of horse that developed and lives in a feral condition on assateague island in the states of virginia and maryland in the united states. The ultimate guide to camping on assateague island poor in. Assateague island national seashore presents a unique opportunity to observe the activities of horses in the wild. Backcountry camping without a permit is prohibited. Access is via maryland or virginia, but the maryland and virginia parts of the seashore are not connected by roads. This book definitely ties in with many biology topics, as well as a great overall source on wild horses.
Jul 08, 2019 assateague island is a 38 milelong wildlife refuge that since anyone can remember has been home to a herd of wild ponies that fluctuates in size every spring with a crop of new, knockkneed foals. Assateague island administrative history respect free roaming horses as wildlife. In 1947, marguerite henrys book misty of chincoteague brought the tradition of island pony penning to the attention of children all over the world. Assateague state park is marylands only oceanfront park. See more ideas about chincoteague ponies, wild horses and horses. Saltwater cowboys and their horses take a break from penning and rounding the wild ponies as they arrive on the shore after completing the 91st annual pony swim across the channel from assateague island to chincoteague island july 27, 2016 in chincoteague, virginia. Assateague island visit the national park and see the.
Mar 02, 2016 visiting assateague island to see the wild horses has been on my bucket list since i found out about the island. The assateague island national seashore, established in 1962, occupies the northern twothirds of a 37milong barrier island, encompassing a small portion operated as assateague state park. 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. Commonlit from the wild horses of assateague island. Legend says they originated from a long lost spanish galleon. While they appear tame, they are wild, and park rangers urge visitors not. These small but sturdy, shaggy horses have adapted to their environment over the years by eating dune and marsh grasses and drinking fresh water from ponds. Visitors can enjoy the world famous wild horses at assateague. The access to the virginia portion of the national seashore is via the chincoteague national wildlife refuge. Assateague island is a barrier island bordered by the atlantic ocean on the east and the sinepuxent bay on the west. Assateague island is a 37mile 60 km long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the delmarva peninsula facing the atlantic ocean.
Keep at least the length of a large bus between you and the horses at all times. On assateague island, wild horses continue to live freely. Pony express nature cruise travel to assateagues wild horses. The wild ponies of assateague island books for young explorers. Hidden galleon goodreads meet your next favorite book. Ponies can be seen with their foals 7 days a week, apriloctober on the boat or kayaking tour. Chincoteague is a small island and historic fishing village on virginias eastern shore made famous for the annual swim of the wild horses of. The wild horses of assateague island are descendants of domesticated animals brought to the island over 300 years ago. 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.
Its two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. The virginia section contains chincoteague national. Marguerite henrys popular childrens book, misty of chincoteague, continues to make that true to this very day. That is what youll find on assateague island national seashore, a barrier island off the coast of maryland and virginia. Camping on the beach at assateague island off the coast of maryland offers you the opposite experience, allowing you to fall asleep under the stars to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. Feral horses are a genre that was pet in the past but became wild in the face of harsh circumstances. See wild ponies swim from this undiscovered national seashore. After all, the wild ponies have comfortably roamed the. Early last saturday morning, the popular mare gokey gogo bones gave birth to a chestnut foal and the mother and daughter appear to be thriving thus far on the barrier island.
Chincoteague, a small island community on the eastern shore of virginia, historically made its living from the sea. The island was once famous for its oysters but is now more known for the annual swim and auction of the wild horses of assateague. The wild ponies live in harsh conditions that keep. Visit the national park and see the wild ponies assateague island. Aug 27, 2018 one unique area to visit while in ocean city, maryland is called assateague island. Assateague island national seashore 2020 all you need to. Each year the question is asked, where did these wild horses come from.
Camping on assateague island with wild ponies duration. It was based on accounts of real children and ponies, and read by this horse. Can fertility control keep wild horse herds in check. Misty of chincoteague is a childrens novel written by marguerite henry, illustrated by wesley dennis, and published by rand mcnally in 1947. The northern twothirds of the island is in maryland while the southern third is in virginia. This 14,000acre refuge is the gateway to assateague island national seashore and home to the famous chincoteague ponies.
Assateague island national seashore is located close to chincoteague island, virginia and ocean city, maryland. Assateague wild ponies assateague island national seashore. The feral horses of assateague island are divided into 2 major groups. Assateague island national parks conservation association. It talks about the life cycle of the horses, as well as how the horses live. Assateague became a national park in 1965 and together with the u. Backcountry camping is also available for campers who wish to. Assateague island national seashore has a combined total of over 300 wild ponies in maryland and virginia. Climb the assateague lighthouse for a beautiful view of chincoteague and assateague. Assateague island and its feral horses ststw media. People are putting this story is about assateague island and the wild life that lives there.
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