Do Horses Swim From Assateague To Chincoteague?

A: The Ponies swim across the Assateague Channel, from Assateague Island (where they live all year) to Chincoteague Island.

Why do the horses swim from Assateague?

Pony Auction
The purpose of the pony swim on Wednesday is to move the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island so that the foals can be auctioned. The auction takes place the following day.

What happens to the horses on Assateague Island?

” On the last Wednesday of July, the Virginia herd of horses is rounded up and swum from Assateague Island to nearby Chincoteague Island. On the following day most of the young foals are auctioned off. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

Where do Chincoteague Ponies get water?

The Chincoteague Ponies find fresh, or brackish, water in low lying areas of Assateague Island that collect rain water. They also drink from Vernal Pools (link to Wikipedia) found on Assateague Island.

How did wild horses get to Chincoteague?

Some have suggested that the wild ponies of Assateague trace their origin to horses released to forage on the Island by early settlers. However, the evidence strongly sugests that they are the descendants of the survivors of a Spanish galleon which wrecked off the coast of Assateague.

Is Assateague or Chincoteague better?

One of the best reasons to visit Chincoteague is to go to the beach! Assateague Island National Seashore is 37 miles long and renowned for its wild horses and sandy beaches while Chincoteague is only 7 miles long and better known for its marshes, dunes, forests, and more.

How do they keep the horses on Assateague Island?

The Chincoteague ponies are kept in grazing compartments on the Virginia portion of Assateague and there is a physical fence at the state line to prevent the two herds from coming in contact. The National Park service is constantly monitoring the horse population and the horses are managed as a wild herd.

Can you touch the horses at Assateague Island?

Petting or feeding the wild horses may seem like a harmless and fun thing to do, but the consequences can be terrible. For your safety and the safety of the horses, please obey park regulations and do not approach, touch, or feed the Assateague horses. Assateague horses do bite, kick and can carry rabies.

Why are the horses made to swim from Assateague to Chincoteague?

Q: Why do the ponies swim? A: The purpose of the swim is to move the herd to Chincoteague Island so that the foals can be auctioned. The auction serves two purposes. First the auction helps to control the size of the herd.

What beach has the most wild horses?

Assateague Island National Seashore is located close to Chincoteague Island, Virginia and Ocean City, Maryland. Assateague contains over 37 miles of pristine beach. More than 300 wild ponies wander the beaches, inland pine forest, and salt marshes.

Are there sharks at Chincoteague?

Sandbar sharks and smooth dogfish are available in Chincoteague Bay from May to October.

How far apart are Chincoteague and Assateague?

You have to drive back to the mainland to go between Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge which is about 56 miles.

Why are there so many mosquitoes in Chincoteague?

These insects thrive in wet, hot climates, and it’s not just the current forecast that brings them out. The location’s weather patterns over the past several months can determine how many mosquitoes emerge. The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high.

How is the drive from Assateague to Chincoteague?

Take U.S. 50 East across the Bay Bridge and south to Salisbury, MD, pick up U.S. 13 South and then Route 175 east to Chincoteague Island. When you get on Chincoteague Island, drive straight to Maddox Blvd., which takes you to Assateague Island.

Can you swim in the ocean at Assateague?

Where can I swim at Assateague State Park? You can swim anywhere along the ocean, a designated swim sector is located at the Day Use beach and is signified by flags on the north and south boundary. No surfing, kayaking, or fishing is permitted in the swim sector. No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.

Are there sharks in Assateague Island?

Sharks, and sandbar sharks in particular, which Moore says are the most common off Assateague, can be crushed by their own weight when out of the water.

How far do wild horses roam in a day?

Wild horses travel many miles a day (usually between 10 and 20), searching for food and water. This amount of travel, often through rough terrain, wears down their hooves as nature intended.

Does the government pay to keep wild horses?

American taxpayers pay for the costs of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. This program has continually increased in costs over the years, even as the BLM removes fewer and fewer horses and burros from the rangelands.

Do wild horses drink ocean water?

Do they need fresh water? Absolutely. They do not drink brackish or salt water.

Do the horses on Assateague drink salt water?

“A common visitor misconception is that the Assateague horses have evolved to drink salt water. Fortunately for the horses and other wildlife there are many naturally occurring freshwater ponds like the one in front of you scattered throughout the island.

Do you always see horses at Assateague?

Ponies graze all day, shorebirds, eagles and dolphins are seen any time of the day. We see different herds of ponies and various species of wildlife at different times throughout the day. Each time we go out on the cruise or kayak trip, we see different wildlife behavior throughout the day. No two trips are ever alike.