7/14/2012

Chincoteague Ponies Make Beautiful Photographs And Documentaries

By Freida Lamb


These wild and attractive beasts are native to Assateague Island. Native is a relative word because they were introduced there by humans over several centuries. The limited habitat of the island combined with poor food sources has caused this breed to shrink relative to normal horse size. The population is prone to inbreeding and new horses are sometimes introduced to keep the gene pool healthy. One thing for sure is that Chincoteague ponies can be attractive and great to photograph in their habitat.

Assateague Island is actually a sand bar produced by a tsunami thousands of years ago. It is off the coast of both Virginia and Maryland. The scenery is mostly white beach sand but other parts are large enough to be pastures. It provides just enough food for a small herbivorous population.

The fact small horses exist on the the island can make for a remarkable and seemingly contradictory subject. Horses are common in the Southwest as Appaloosa, but this feral population is unique and fragile. It has been recognized as a protected area because of the unique horse population.

For photographers the opportunities are excellent. These horses can be found everywhere and the island is too slim for them to hide. Driving in a watercraft will present the eager photographer with as many subjects as they desire.

A person who ventures onto shore would need to stalk the skittish beasts with the skill of an aboriginal hunter. They are not domesticated so they are shy. Some might have pleasant associations with humans but many do not.

Anyone wanting images of these attractive creatures can visit the island and take them or buy them from a provider. chincoteague ponies are beautiful to put up anywhere. It definitely is a rare opportunity who loves horses. This breed is possibly the scarcest in the world.




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