The ponies of Assateague Island
Assateague Island National Seashore is home to about 101 wild ponies. The herd in the northern area of Assateague can be seen around the island, from parking lots to the beach to the salt marshes. On hot afternoons they often wander to the beach, where there’s always a warm breeze that acts, along with their fluffy tails, like a fly swatter.
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- Ponies walk through a marsh on the bay side at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- Left to right: John Sines, Gracie Paulman, 8, Malia Sines, 7 and Jennifer Sines, who are visiting from Meyersdale PA look at ponies in the distance on a marsh at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- These are tree roots along the marsh trail at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- Park visitors photograph a pony outside a restroom at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A pony rests on the beach at Assateague National Seashore while people enjoy the sand and sea. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- This is a stand of tall marsh grass at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A pony stands on the beach at Assateague National Seashore with lots of beach goers in the background. staff (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- This is a detail of a horse tattoo on the leg of Sabrina Lentz, who was visiting Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A man reads on the beach with horses behind him at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A snowy egret looks for food in a bay side marsh at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A visitor takes pictures of wild pony on a campground beach at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- This is a blue crab resting in a marsh at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- Ponies share the beach with a tent and equipment on a campground beach at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A fingerling fish swims by a clam shell in a marsh at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A pony rests on the beach at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
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- A wild pony grazes near the entrance at Assateague National Seashore. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
On July 26th and 27th “Saltwater Cowboys” will gather the ponies from the southern herd of the island to prepare for the 89th annual pony swim to Chincoteague Island, which will happen on Wednesday July 30. The swim was made famous by the popular children’s book “Misty of Chincoteague” written by Marguerite Henry in 1947.
Thousands of spectators will gather on the island to marvel over this annual summer tradition. After the ponies dry off, they will parade down Main Street. The next day foals will be auctioned so that the size of the herd can be controlled and the funds can be used for veterinary care for the remaining ponies.
After all the excitement, the adult ponies swim back to the wilds of Assateague where they can spend another year inspiring visitors with their grace and beauty.
To see pictures from last year’s Chincoteague pony swim go here.
The original version of this story did not clarify which ponies take part in the annual swim and auction. Only the Southern herd based on the Virginia portion of the island participate.
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