Assateague Island
Photos are more then just memories. the story behind the photo is more interesting.
Wild Horses on the East Coast
It sounds crazy there are wild horses living in Maryland.
Assateague Island encompasses a 37-mile-long barrier island, adjacent marsh islands and waters in Maryland and Virginia, and the Assateague Island Visitor Center on the Maryland mainland. 41,346 acres of land and water are within the seashore’s boundaries. The island consists of three public areas; Assateague Island National Seashore (managed by the National Park Service), Assateague State Park (managed by the Maryland Park Service of the Department of Natural Resources) and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge(managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
The Horses
Bands of feral horses, commonly known as Chincoteague ponies or as Assateague horses, freely roam on Assateague Island. Although local legend claims that the horses are descendants of animals that survived a shipwreck on the coast, it is more likely that the horses are descendants of domestic horses confined on the island by local residents in lieu of fencing them in on the mainland, where fences were taxed. The salty low-nutrient diet of saltmarsh grasses has resulted in the horses’ short stature and bloated abdomens.
Horse or Pony?
Though many of the horses on the island measure under 14 hands (4 ft 8 inches) in height, which would normally qualify them as ponies, most of their stock comes from horse breeds. Thus, despite their stunted height, which is attributed to their salty diet, they are considered horses and not ponies.
The adventure starts here
Photos bring back memories. Let it be a selfie with friends or an amazing dinner. Sometimes its the story behind the photos are our greatest memories.
Camping on the Island
You can camp on the beach or the bay. We camped on the bay. The horses are wild and will visit you.
