For more than 90 years, the ponies of Chincoteague have swum across the bay from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. These islands are located off the eastern coast of the United States near Virginia and Maryland.
The hardy ponies were said to have appeared on the shores when a Spanish ship sunk off the coast. Since that time, the two herds of ponies have grown, and the annual Pony Penning Day has continued it tradition each year.[social_warfare buttons=”Facebook,Pinterest,Twitter,Total”]
The two herds are separated by a fence at the Virginia and Maryland state line. Each year, the ponies are rounded up and journey from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island for the annual auction where the foals that are old enough are sold.
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This event is known as Pony Penning Day. Each year, on the last week in July a week-long celebration of the ponies and their famous swim are held. The small town of Chincoteague draws enormous crowds during Pony Penning. The swimming of the ponies was made famous by Marguerite Henry’s book called Misty of Chincoteague
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Tourism shows dramatic increases during the pony swim, and the proceeds allow the fire department to continue with the upkeep and care of the herds.
During the week, the two herds are rounded up and brought to the southern corral on Assateague Island where the public can view them. Vet checks are completed on the ponies BEFORE their swim to Chincoteague Island.
If any ponies or foals are too young, too old, or ill, they will not be asked to swim across the channel. Instead, they will be carefully transported to Chincoteague Island to join the rest of the herd during the Pony Penning Day.
Some of the best views of the ponies swimming can be done via boat rides or tours that the town offers. The crowds during this week in July can be intense, so making reservations well in advance is suggested. Other activities during the week are blueberry festival, farmers markets, various tours, and the Fireman’s Carnival.
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As a town tradition, the first foal that arrives on Chincoteague Island from the swim is named King or Queen Neptune and will be given away in a raffle on Pony Penning Day. After the swim, the horses are given some time to rest, and then are herded down the main street to the auction grounds. The auction will take place the following day.
The auction serves a few purposes. Some of the proceeds form the auction are given to the fire department, who, in turn, pay for veterinary care of the wild ponies throughout the year. The other reason for the auction is to keep the size of the herds manageable. The two herds combined are approximately 300 horses strong, and each year over 50 foals are born!
The day after the auction, the ponies that have not been sold on Pony Penning Day swim the channel once more to return to Assateague, where they can live free for another year.
Chincoteague Pony Characteristics
The wild ponies of Assateague are small in stature yet hardy and tough. They thrive mostly on the salt water cord grass that grow abundantly on Assateague Island. They come in a huge variety of colors such as black, sorrel, chestnut, and most famously, a wide array of beautiful pinto patterns.
The fire department and National Park service do their best to leave the herds alone. They do not want the ponies becoming dependent on humans and the relationship between the herds and humans seems amicable. The ponies are used to humans in their surroundings but they do not offer to approach or threaten humans.
Hurricane Season: What Do the Ponies Do?
It isn’t exactly known what the wild Chincoteague ponies do during hurricanes, but after each storm, personnel are sent to check on the ponies who emerge from hiding. The fire department thinks that the ponies head for higher ground, but nothing can be confirmed. The herds have been on the island since the 1600’s. They are smart, savvy, and still thriving even today after countless hurricanes have struck the area.
The Annual Pony Swim and Pony Penning information can be found on the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce website. As the dates get closer, the schedule will be updated for those that are interested in seeing this one-of-kind equestrian event that has occurred annually for over 90 years.