Chincoteague ponies are a rare American breed. In total, there is probably less than 3,000 Chincoteague ponies in the USA and Canada. Nowadays they form part of an annual event which draws thousands of spectators. The animals actually live on Assateague Island. There is a fence through the middle of the island as Virginia and Maryland share jurisdiction for the land. Wild horses live on both parts of the island.
There are several theories as to how they first came to be there. Some believe Spanish galleons were ship-wrecked offshore and their horses made their way to the islands. A more widely accepted theory is that early settlers released domestic livestock on the islands to avoid having to pay various taxes imposed at the time. However the animals first arrived, they ended up having to adapt to salt water and very little food in order to survive.
Those on Virginian soil belong to the Volunteer Fire Company of Chincoteague. Up to 150 ponies are maintained by the company. Twice a year they are are swum to the neighboring island of Chincoteague where they are examined by veterinarians, given routine vaccinations and treated for any conditions they may have.
One of these trips takes place on the last Wednesday of July when the majority of the horses are swum to Chincoteague. After being rested for a while, the ponies are driven through the streets to the carnival grounds. The foals from the previous year are auctioned off. This keeps the island population to manageable numbers. Those not sold are then returned to Assateague Island.
There are some private breeders on the mainland. The Annual Pony Swim and Penning brings much-needed funds to the Fire Company and prevents degradation of the fragile environment of the islands. Thousands watch the Pony Swim and auction. The first foal to reach the shore is named Queen or King Neptune and is raffled off on the day.
Penning on the islands was first recorded in 1835. The channel was first swum by the ponies in 1925. This was celebrated as a gala day and the tradition has grown from year to year. The Pony Swim and Auction is now big business, attracting many viewers who come to watch and to enjoy the fun and festivities of the carnival.
Selling off some of the stock prevents over-population of the island and lessens any ecological damage that they may cause. Some of the mares are routinely darted with a contraceptive to lessen the stress of continual foal-bearing. Over the years, inbreeding resulted in imperfect conformation and congenital conditions. The ponies have a typically bloated appearance from drinking salt water and from their meagre diet. While once inbred and weedy, the selective introduction of other breeds has improved the quality of the animals.
The animals now range between 13 and 15 hands high (a hand is four inches) and are tough and hardy. They have kind temperaments as a rule and are ideal for a number of equestrian disciplines. Solid colors are found but many are broken-colored. These pintos or paints are prized by breeders. They are generally easy to train and economical to keep. Their conformation varies somewhat but most have good, dense bone with straight legs and sound hooves. The mane and tail are thick and dense, providing good protection during cold weather. Because they are better fed, domesticated Chincoteague ponies tend to grow taller than their wild counterparts.
There are several theories as to how they first came to be there. Some believe Spanish galleons were ship-wrecked offshore and their horses made their way to the islands. A more widely accepted theory is that early settlers released domestic livestock on the islands to avoid having to pay various taxes imposed at the time. However the animals first arrived, they ended up having to adapt to salt water and very little food in order to survive.
Those on Virginian soil belong to the Volunteer Fire Company of Chincoteague. Up to 150 ponies are maintained by the company. Twice a year they are are swum to the neighboring island of Chincoteague where they are examined by veterinarians, given routine vaccinations and treated for any conditions they may have.
One of these trips takes place on the last Wednesday of July when the majority of the horses are swum to Chincoteague. After being rested for a while, the ponies are driven through the streets to the carnival grounds. The foals from the previous year are auctioned off. This keeps the island population to manageable numbers. Those not sold are then returned to Assateague Island.
There are some private breeders on the mainland. The Annual Pony Swim and Penning brings much-needed funds to the Fire Company and prevents degradation of the fragile environment of the islands. Thousands watch the Pony Swim and auction. The first foal to reach the shore is named Queen or King Neptune and is raffled off on the day.
Penning on the islands was first recorded in 1835. The channel was first swum by the ponies in 1925. This was celebrated as a gala day and the tradition has grown from year to year. The Pony Swim and Auction is now big business, attracting many viewers who come to watch and to enjoy the fun and festivities of the carnival.
Selling off some of the stock prevents over-population of the island and lessens any ecological damage that they may cause. Some of the mares are routinely darted with a contraceptive to lessen the stress of continual foal-bearing. Over the years, inbreeding resulted in imperfect conformation and congenital conditions. The ponies have a typically bloated appearance from drinking salt water and from their meagre diet. While once inbred and weedy, the selective introduction of other breeds has improved the quality of the animals.
The animals now range between 13 and 15 hands high (a hand is four inches) and are tough and hardy. They have kind temperaments as a rule and are ideal for a number of equestrian disciplines. Solid colors are found but many are broken-colored. These pintos or paints are prized by breeders. They are generally easy to train and economical to keep. Their conformation varies somewhat but most have good, dense bone with straight legs and sound hooves. The mane and tail are thick and dense, providing good protection during cold weather. Because they are better fed, domesticated Chincoteague ponies tend to grow taller than their wild counterparts.
About the Author:
Check out www.intheherd.com to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about Chincoteague ponies, now. You can also view our equestrian photo gallery at http://www.intheherd.com today.
No comments:
Post a Comment