The ponies which live on the Virginian part of Assateague Island are called Chincoteague ponies. In Canada and the USA, there are about 3,000 of the breed in total. Assateague Island is divided by a sturdy fence which forms part of the boundary between Maryland and Virginia. The Virginian representatives of this rare breed are a great drawcard for thousands of tourists who gather each year to see them.
There are several theories as to how they first came to be there. Some believe Spanish galleons were ship-wrecked offshore and their horses made their way to the islands. A more widely accepted theory is that early settlers released domestic livestock on the islands to avoid having to pay various taxes imposed at the time. However the animals first arrived, they ended up having to adapt to salt water and very little food in order to survive.
Those on Virginian soil belong to the Volunteer Fire Company of Chincoteague. Up to 150 ponies are maintained by the company. Twice a year they are are swum to the neighboring island of Chincoteague where they are examined by veterinarians, given routine vaccinations and treated for any conditions they may have.
One of these trips takes place on the last Wednesday of July when the majority of the horses are swum to Chincoteague. After being rested for a while, the ponies are driven through the streets to the carnival grounds. The foals from the previous year are auctioned off. This keeps the island population to manageable numbers. Those not sold are then returned to Assateague Island.
There are some private breeders on the mainland. The Annual Pony Swim and Penning brings much-needed funds to the Fire Company and prevents degradation of the fragile environment of the islands. Thousands watch the Pony Swim and auction. The first foal to reach the shore is named Queen or King Neptune and is raffled off on the day.
The first recorded penning was in 1835. In 1925, the ponies swam the channel for the first time. The owners would gather together and this gradually developed into a carnival which is run at the same time raising funds for the Chincoteague firemen. The tradition now draws crowds of people to watch the swimming, and to join in the carnival.
Selling off some of the animals prevents excessive damage to the fragile island environment. Inbreeding over a number of years had resulted in some having conformational defects and inherited conditions. The quality of the horses has been improved by the introduction of other breeds. Some mares are darted with a contraceptive to prevent them being bred every year. Chincoteague ponies have a characteristic bloated appearance from drinking salt water.
The animals now range between 13 and 15 hands high (a hand is four inches) and are tough and hardy. They have kind temperaments as a rule and are ideal for a number of equestrian disciplines. Solid colors are found but many are broken-colored. These pintos or paints are prized by breeders. They are generally easy to train and economical to keep. Their conformation varies somewhat but most have good, dense bone with straight legs and sound hooves. The mane and tail are thick and dense, providing good protection during cold weather. Because they are better fed, domesticated Chincoteague ponies tend to grow taller than their wild counterparts.
There are several theories as to how they first came to be there. Some believe Spanish galleons were ship-wrecked offshore and their horses made their way to the islands. A more widely accepted theory is that early settlers released domestic livestock on the islands to avoid having to pay various taxes imposed at the time. However the animals first arrived, they ended up having to adapt to salt water and very little food in order to survive.
Those on Virginian soil belong to the Volunteer Fire Company of Chincoteague. Up to 150 ponies are maintained by the company. Twice a year they are are swum to the neighboring island of Chincoteague where they are examined by veterinarians, given routine vaccinations and treated for any conditions they may have.
One of these trips takes place on the last Wednesday of July when the majority of the horses are swum to Chincoteague. After being rested for a while, the ponies are driven through the streets to the carnival grounds. The foals from the previous year are auctioned off. This keeps the island population to manageable numbers. Those not sold are then returned to Assateague Island.
There are some private breeders on the mainland. The Annual Pony Swim and Penning brings much-needed funds to the Fire Company and prevents degradation of the fragile environment of the islands. Thousands watch the Pony Swim and auction. The first foal to reach the shore is named Queen or King Neptune and is raffled off on the day.
The first recorded penning was in 1835. In 1925, the ponies swam the channel for the first time. The owners would gather together and this gradually developed into a carnival which is run at the same time raising funds for the Chincoteague firemen. The tradition now draws crowds of people to watch the swimming, and to join in the carnival.
Selling off some of the animals prevents excessive damage to the fragile island environment. Inbreeding over a number of years had resulted in some having conformational defects and inherited conditions. The quality of the horses has been improved by the introduction of other breeds. Some mares are darted with a contraceptive to prevent them being bred every year. Chincoteague ponies have a characteristic bloated appearance from drinking salt water.
The animals now range between 13 and 15 hands high (a hand is four inches) and are tough and hardy. They have kind temperaments as a rule and are ideal for a number of equestrian disciplines. Solid colors are found but many are broken-colored. These pintos or paints are prized by breeders. They are generally easy to train and economical to keep. Their conformation varies somewhat but most have good, dense bone with straight legs and sound hooves. The mane and tail are thick and dense, providing good protection during cold weather. Because they are better fed, domesticated Chincoteague ponies tend to grow taller than their wild counterparts.
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