The Chincoteague ponies are a truly amazing breed. They are born and live on the tiny islands off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. Thought to be descended from horses that swam ashore from wrecked Spanish galleons as early as the sixteenth century, this distinct breed is small and hardy. Due to their harsh environment they rarely grow above about thirteen and a half hands high. A hand is four inches and is the unit of measurement used for all equines.
The ponies are typically quite small, which makes them good for children and small adults to ride. They are found in every color and are known for their kind disposition. After living in such spare conditions for so long, they are very hardy and easy keepers. Whilst living on the island they often appear to be quite fat. This is not the case, it is mostly the huge quantities of water they need to drink after eating the salty marsh grass.
The island is famous for the pony round up which takes place at the end of July. The animals are gathered together and inspected to make sure they are in good condition. Then all the fit ones are made to swim a short distance to the other island for the auction. The swim is only about five to ten minuets and is closely monitored by the officials.
As many as 50,000 visitors attend the annual penning and auction event. First, the animals are rounded up and inspected. Those who are sick or injured can be given essential medical treatment. The healthy ones are then swum across a narrow channel to the mainland. Many people feel this is animal cruelty, but the event is very well monitored and people are standing by to help any pony that seems to be in trouble. Mares who are about to foal, or who have very young foals with them, are actually spared the swim and are trailered to the auction site.
The annual pony auction began as a way to make money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The fire company was started in the 1920's after some serious brush fires on the island. Selling the ponies was a logical way to keep the numbers under control as well as raise funds for the newly formed department.
Some of the animals can make nice family pets. Around eighty years ago it was observed that the ponies were very small and had numerous faults, this was due to many years of in breeding. Several good stallions were brought in to add new blood lines and improve the stock. This worked well and the typical pony on the island today still shows characteristics of the Arabian and mustang blood from many generations ago.
The most famous pony from the island was Misty. She is the star of the wonderful book by Marguerite Henry. Misty was a real pony who was foaled on the island over eighty years ago and purchased by Ms Henry as a foal. Many of Misty's descendants are still alive today.
Chincoteague ponies are a registered breed with their own stud book. There are about one thousand privately owned ponies living happy productive lives off the island. Given good nutrition they typically grow bigger and can live to be over thirty years old.
The ponies are typically quite small, which makes them good for children and small adults to ride. They are found in every color and are known for their kind disposition. After living in such spare conditions for so long, they are very hardy and easy keepers. Whilst living on the island they often appear to be quite fat. This is not the case, it is mostly the huge quantities of water they need to drink after eating the salty marsh grass.
The island is famous for the pony round up which takes place at the end of July. The animals are gathered together and inspected to make sure they are in good condition. Then all the fit ones are made to swim a short distance to the other island for the auction. The swim is only about five to ten minuets and is closely monitored by the officials.
As many as 50,000 visitors attend the annual penning and auction event. First, the animals are rounded up and inspected. Those who are sick or injured can be given essential medical treatment. The healthy ones are then swum across a narrow channel to the mainland. Many people feel this is animal cruelty, but the event is very well monitored and people are standing by to help any pony that seems to be in trouble. Mares who are about to foal, or who have very young foals with them, are actually spared the swim and are trailered to the auction site.
The annual pony auction began as a way to make money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The fire company was started in the 1920's after some serious brush fires on the island. Selling the ponies was a logical way to keep the numbers under control as well as raise funds for the newly formed department.
Some of the animals can make nice family pets. Around eighty years ago it was observed that the ponies were very small and had numerous faults, this was due to many years of in breeding. Several good stallions were brought in to add new blood lines and improve the stock. This worked well and the typical pony on the island today still shows characteristics of the Arabian and mustang blood from many generations ago.
The most famous pony from the island was Misty. She is the star of the wonderful book by Marguerite Henry. Misty was a real pony who was foaled on the island over eighty years ago and purchased by Ms Henry as a foal. Many of Misty's descendants are still alive today.
Chincoteague ponies are a registered breed with their own stud book. There are about one thousand privately owned ponies living happy productive lives off the island. Given good nutrition they typically grow bigger and can live to be over thirty years old.
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