The Ponies of Assateague

The wild ponies are the most interesting aspect of Assateague Island, a barrier beach about 8 miles from Berlin. Herds of wild ponies roam the island from the northern most end at the inlet that was cut in the 1933 hurricane south to Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Visitors come to Assateague to camp, use the beach, and to see the wild ponies. They are not tame and will bite and kick. They wander through campsites, parking lots, and on the beach.

There are two major theories of how the ponies came to Assateague.

1) The Legend of the Ponies

In the 1870's, the ponies were on a boat bound for the Spanish Main. The ship was wrecked off Assateague and the ponies swam ashore and established themselves on the island. The passengers were rescued by friendly Indians.

2) The Historians' View

The historians have a different theory. They believe that the ponies were descended from horses that 17th century planters set loose on the island to graze, but were never rounded up.

In 1924, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company started an annual pony penning, also known as the Channel Swim. On the last Wednesday and Thursday of June, the ponies rounded up by riders on horses, cowboy style. The ponies from Assateague are forced to swim the channel between the beach and the mainland. Once in Chincoteague, they are corralled and auctioned off to the highest bidders. The ponies that are not sold are returned to Assateague to continue their wild and free life there. This annual event draws thousands of tourists and raises money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

By: Shelly Whitehead