Wild Ponies of Chincoteague. Wild Horses Wild horses are found all over the U.S. –Montana,...
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Transcript of Wild Ponies of Chincoteague. Wild Horses Wild horses are found all over the U.S. –Montana,...
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Wild Ponies of Chincoteague
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Wild Horses
• Wild horses are found all over the U.S.– Montana, Colorado, Utah,
Idaho, California, Virginia, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon
• The ponies on Chincoteague are the most well known– Book, Misty of
Chincoteague
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Where did they come from?
• There are several rumors concerning the origin of the ponies– Ponies swam ashore from a
shipwrecked Spanish galleon in the 16th Century
– Ponies swam ashore from a wrecked ship bound for the English colonies
– Pirates brought the ponies to the island
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Most probable explanation
• Ponies are most likely descendents of horses brought to Assateague during the 17th century by mainland owners– Early settlers used
Assateague Island as a natural corral to avoid fencing laws and taxation of livestock
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“Wild” Ponies?• Feral and wild are both used
when referring to the ponies– Because they take care of
themselves in all seasons with minimum help from humans, they can be considered wild
– Can also be referred to as feral because they are most likely descendents of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state
• Referred to as ponies because of their naturally small size, most likely due to harsh conditions of the island
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Virginia vs. Maryland
• There are two distinct groups of ponies– Herd is separated by a
fence on the Virginia/Maryland state line
– Each herd has divided themselves into bands of two to ten animals and each band occupies a home range
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Maryland Ponies• National Park Service is in
charge of the Maryland herd
• Population has climbed from 21 animals in 1965 to 174 today
• 150 is recommended limit for the number of ponies
• There is evidence that the horses are having a significant negative impact on the dune and salt marsh habitat due to overgrazing
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Maryland Ponies• In an attempt to control the population growth, a
contraceptive has been developed and in use since 1994
• Non-hormonal contraceptive vaccine that stimulates the horse’s immune system to produce antibodies which will block fertilization at high levels
• Effect is temporary, lasting about one year, but can be extended with an annual booster shot
• Long term effects not known, so vaccine is administered only after one or two births
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Virginia Ponies
• Often referred to as Chincoteague ponies• Property of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire
Company• Allowed to graze under a special permit issued to
the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge by the Fish and Wildlife Service
• Herd is limited to a maximum of 150 ponies– Research has indicated that any negative effects of
grazing on the overall habitat of the refuge are minimized the limit
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Pony Penning
• Penning allows the limit of 150 ponies to be maintained
• “Saltwater cowboys” round up the Virginia herd and they swim across the channel to Chincoteague
• Most of the foals are auctioned off and the remaining horses swim back to Assateague
• Most foals are easily tamed and adapt well to domestic life
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Fire Department
• Proceeds from the auction go to the fire department
• Fire department has the best equipped emergency response operation on the Eastern Shore and one of the best in the state
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References
• http://www.theponycam.com/index.html• http://www.assateague.org/plover/1-96-e.html• http://nickie.net/Chincoteague.html• http://www.patandersonphoto.com/chinco.htm• http://www.pony-chincoteague.com/info.html• http://www.comptons.com/encyclopedia/CAPTIO
NS/20005620_P.html• http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/HORSES/CHI
NCOTE/• http://atbeach.com/mdstpark/index.html
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Pony Penning
• Began in the 17th century when unclaimed horses were captured and marked by colonists in the presence of their neighbors on a day of fellowship and festivity
• Modern pony penning began in 1924 in an effort to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company
• Major tourist attraction• Allows the ponies to be monitored and their health
maintained
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Virginia Ponies
• Undergo a veterinarian check twice a year– In April, they are
vaccinated against encephalitis, rabies, tetanus, tested for EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia or swamp fever), dewormed and some horses have their hooves trimmed
• Fenced off from road areas to stop people from feeding them and attracting them to cars and roadways
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Assateague Island
• Assateague Island is 37 miles long with approximately 300 horses divided between Maryland and Virginia
• Ponies are known as Chincoteague ponies because of the annual auction
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Appearance of ponies
• Flowing manes and tails
• Adults weigh 750 lbs• 12-13 hands (52 in)• Variety of colors,
often with paint markings
• Powerful natural breed
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What Do They Eat?
• About 80% of their diet is saltmarsh cordgrass and American beachgrass
• Also may add thorny greenbriar stems, bayberry twigs, rose hips, sea weeds and poison ivy
• Drink twice as much water as domestic horses, which gives them a fat appearance