The Wild Ponies Historical

The Wild Ponies Historical (HM1V4E)

Location: Chincoteague Island, VA 23336 Accomack County
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Country: United States of America
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N 37° 54.241', W 75° 21.615'

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Inscription
Hardy, compact, and spirited—the horses on Assateague Island run freely over a range bounded by ocean and bay. Bands of mares and young led by protective stallions graze on marsh grasses, drink at freshwater ponds, and retreat into island forests for shelter.
With luck, you will see ponies during your visit. Please watch from a safe distance. Wild ponies kick and bite, even though they may look tame. Feeding them is dangerous and unlawful.

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Two Herds
The ponies usually live in small groups or "bands." Bands living on the northern section belong to the Maryland herd. The National Park Service maintains these horses in their wild state with minimal human interference.

The larger herd—the Chincoteague Ponies—graze under permit on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. A fence at the state boundary keeps the herds separated.

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Shipwreck Survivors?
How did the ponies arrive at Assateague? Some may have been shipwrecked here long ago as legend contends, but no documented evidence has yet been found.

Research does show that English planters pastured horses and other kinds of livestock on barrier islands here in the 1600s to avoid the expenses of fencing and taxes. Perhaps some of the ponies have descended from
these pioneers.

The Roundup
Every year, on the last Wednesday and Thursday in July, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (owner and manager of the Virginia herd) sponsors its festive roundup. Horseback riders gather the ponies and drive them across the channel to the Chincoteague carnical grounds where some are sold at auction. The rest are returned to the island.
Details
HM NumberHM1V4E
Tags
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Monday, October 17th, 2016 at 9:05am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)18S E 468329 N 4195226
Decimal Degrees37.90401667, -75.36025000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 37° 54.241', W 75° 21.615'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds37° 54' 14.46" N, 75° 21' 36.9" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)757
Which side of the road?Marker is on the right when traveling South
Closest Postal AddressAt or near Beach Access Rd, Chincoteague Island VA 23336, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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