Horses Of Assateague Island, Virginia and Maryland

Featured in Marguerite Henry`s 1947 Newbery Medal-winning book Misty of Chincoteague these horses found worldwide fame, a population beautiful and tough little horses have become a popular torist attraction with people coming to visit the area to see these famous horses

With a population of around 300 ponies located on the Island, they are equally split into two distinct herd. The Maryland horses can be found roaming the Assateague Island National Seashore, while the Virginia horses can be found grazing the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Some of the ponies are very brash and can be attracted to the tourists on the Islands beach, below you can see a video of thm terrorizing some tourists

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge restrict the herd to around 150 adult horses, each year in July the Chincoteague Pony Swim takes place, the herd is rounded up and swim from Assateague to nearby Chincoteague Island. The foals are separated and auctioned of the proceeds from the auction go to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.