Everything You Need to Know About the Chincoteague Ponies

Nestled off the coast of Virginia, Chincoteague Island is not only famous for its stunning beaches and vibrant wildlife but also for its legendary wild ponies. These spirited equines, descendants of animals brought to the island centuries ago, roam freely in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, capturing the hearts of visitors with their untamed beauty and rich history. 

Each year, the island comes alive during the annual Pony Penning, a celebration that highlights the unique bond between the community and these majestic creatures. Join us as we explore the fascinating story of the Chincoteague ponies, their habitat, and the ongoing efforts to protect their wild spirit for generations to come.

The History of the Chincoteague Ponies

Two distinct herds of wild ponies reside on Assateague Island and are separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia border. While the National Park Service manages the Maryland herd, the Virginia herd is owned and cared for by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which receives an annual grazing permit for their herd of about 150 ponies. 

These wild ponies have roamed the marshes and maritime forests of the Eastern Shore since the early 1700s. Some theorize that the ponies were originally released to forage on the island by early settlers hoping to avoid paying taxes on their livestock, but a local theory suggests a different possibility–that these wild ponies are descendants of horses that came ashore when a Spanish galleon wrecked off the coastline.

Although the ponies carry the name of the Chincoteague tribe, there is no physical proof that Indigenous peoples ever lived in this area. Due to the rough terrain and conditions of the marsh, the land was largely only used for holding livestock and harvesting seafood, such as fish and shellfish, from the waters. While the English settlers “claimed” Chincoteague in 1680, it was not commonly inhabited by either the Indigenous or the colonists, and for many decades, the ponies were the biggest mammals to make Chincoteague into a home. 

Identifying Characteristics & Ecological Adaptations of the Chincoteague Ponies

While the first horses that came to Chincoteague were probably of average size, their descendants are the size of ponies (roughly 12-13 hands). Their slight stature is attributed to their poor diet and the harsh environment of the coastal wetlands. These small, shaggy horses adapted to the unfamiliar environment over the decades, eating the marsh grasses like coarse saltmarsh cordgrass and American beachgrass and drinking fresh water from ponds. Interestingly, some ponies removed from the Shore as foals and provided a higher protein diet have grown to regular horse size! 

Additionally, the high salt concentration in the diets of the Chincoteague ponies causes the horses to drink twice as much water as their domesticated counterparts; because of this, the ponies of Chincoteague have a fat, bloated appearance. 

A study released in 1991 about the genetic makeup of the Eastern United State’s feral horse populations took samples from about 60% of the Chincoteague ponies. The results showed a close genetic link with the ponies and two main breeds: the Paso Fino and the Shetland. However, the ponies have evolved enough to become their own official breed–the Chincoteague Pony. 

The Annual Chincoteague Island Pony Swim

While the practice of the colonists rounding up unclaimed horses and marking them during a day of celebration began in the 17th century, the Chincoteague Island Pony Swim as we know it today was founded in 1924 to help with several emerging problems. 

The first issue was the town’s meager budget, which was spread too thinly and was stretched even further after a series of devastating fires within downtown Chincoteague. The pony auction would allow the fire department to raise their own funds and relieve some of the financial burden that the town faced.

Secondly, the pony population had undergone exponential growth, and the area was in danger of being overrun by the growing herd. By selling younger ponies each year, the town was able to keep the population in check.

Finally, the growing population of Chincoteague ponies had led to decimation of the ecosystem, which supports a number of rare and endangered species. Maintaining the herd at a set size protected this ecosystem and allowed these other species to flourish in the area. 

For nearly a century, this weeklong event in July has drawn thousands of visitors to the Shore, where they can witness ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island as they are herded by the “Saltwater Cowboys”. There is a carnival each night with rides, games, raffles, and food trucks, and the local movie theater shows free nightly screenings of the “Misty of Chincoteague” movie (based off the critically acclaimed 1947 novel by Marguerite Henry which made the ponies famous).

The main event, the pony swim, happens annually on the last Wednesday in July. Scheduled to coincide with low tide, the swim draws thousands of people to witness the wild ponies as they cross the narrow waterway. Although crowds begin to gather hours before, the swim only takes about five minutes once the horses enter the water, when “saltwater cowboys” corral hundreds of ponies towards the far shore. These local men and women spend years learning the skill of corralling swimming ponies, often following in the footsteps of their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. 

The first young pony to climb to safety on the marshy grounds will be crowned King or Queen Neptune, and this special foal is raffled off to one lucky winner at the end of the carnival. 

After coming ashore, the ponies rest for about an hour, then the journey continues towards the fairgrounds in a parade through downtown Chincoteague. Residents and visitors line the streets to get a closer look at the beautiful wild creatures as they are transported to the fenced fields of the fairgrounds, where they are examined, given veterinary care when necessary, and vaccinated against illnesses. 

The cowboys mark 150 of the ponies to return to the wild, which is the maximum number allowed through the national wildlife refuge’s permit, and choose foals that will be sold during the auction the following day. The ponies are coveted by equestrian enthusiasts from around the country, and prize ponies, such as descendants of Misty, sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Not only do these sales maintain the legally allowed wild pony population, but the auction also helps fund the herd’s veterinary care throughout the rest of the year. 

Cultural Significance of the Chincoteague Ponies

The biggest claim to fame for the Chincoteague ponies comes from Marguerite Henry’s 1947 classic children’s book, Misty of Chincoteague. The book follows siblings Paul and Maureen who live on Chincoteague Island with their grandparents, who raise and train foals that exceed the herd count. The brother and sister dream of owning their own pony, who they decide to name, “Misty”. 

While the events in the book are fictitious, Paul and Maureen were real children, and their grandfather owned a horse farm on Chincoteague with a pony named Misty. Author Marguerite Henry purchased Misty eventually, taking her on tours to meet the children who had become enamored with the popular book. 

In 1961, the book was made into a movie starring several well-known actors of the time, as well as dozens of locals who were eager to participate in the production. When the film premiered in Chincoteague, the real Misty was paraded through downtown Chincoteague and left her hoofprints in the cement sidewalk outside the town’s small theater. You can still see this commemorative mark more than 60 years later when you visit the Island Theatre.

Chincoteague Pony Conservation Efforts

Several notable incidents have greatly decreased Chincoteague’s pony population over the years, including a storm in 1962 that killed 55 ponies on Assateague and 90 on Chincoteague. In 1975, almost half the herd tested positive for equine infectious anemia, also known as swamp fever, and had to be euthanized. 

Due to these losses, 38 mustangs were added to the herd in 1977, and over the years several ponies had been donated back to the herd to make up for dips in the population. 

In 2014, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge introduced a management plan for the ponies that put an end to foreign stock being introduced to the herd. Since then, only off-island-born ponies and island-born ponies that were donated back to Chincoteague have been added to the herd, which helps maintain the unique genetic makeup of the Chincoteague pony breed.

Other Ways to See the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague

If you want to see the ponies but can’t make it for the annual pony swim, plan a visit to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where the wild ponies roam year-round. These lands were the Indigenous homelands of the Pocomoke and Occohannock people before the arrival of colonists, and today the lands have been preserved to protect the beaches, dunes, marshes, and maritime forests. 

The ponies are fenced in two large areas on the Virginia portion and can be seen in a variety of ways, including hiking and biking to the north herd, during the Refuge Trek Bus tours, or by the scenic boat cruise tours offered by several outfitters in the area. While they appear tame, the ponies that live at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are wild, and Park Rangers urge visitors not to feed or pet them.

Plan your trip to Chincoteague and experience the magic of the Chincoteague ponies firsthand!