By Mitzi Fitzgerald
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 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 most famous event involving the ponies is the annual round up, known as pony penning day. This takes place on the last Wednesday and Thursday in July, and its origins go back to the 1880's when it was a festival for rounding up not only the pony population, but also sheep. As the sheep have gradually died out, the equine population has grown and steps were needed to stop harmful over breeding.
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 auction began in the 1920's when the newly founded Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company needed to raise money. The fire company still runs the round up and auction to this day. They are also responsible for the general welfare of the herd and ensuring the ponies do not over breed.
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 pony who made Chincoteague famous is Misty. She is the star of Marguerite Henry's famous novel published in 1947. The story focuses on a real pony who Ms Henry bought as a yearling in the auction. Misty had several foals and many of her descendants are still alive today.
Owning one of the
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 auction began in the 1920's when the newly founded Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company needed to raise money. The fire company still runs the round up and auction to this day. They are also responsible for the general welfare of the herd and ensuring the ponies do not over breed.
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 pony who made Chincoteague famous is Misty. She is the star of Marguerite Henry's famous novel published in 1947. The story focuses on a real pony who Ms Henry bought as a yearling in the auction. Misty had several foals and many of her descendants are still alive today.
Owning one of the
The auction began in the 1920's when the newly founded Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company needed to raise money. The fire company still runs the round up and auction to this day. They are also responsible for the general welfare of the herd and ensuring the ponies do not over breed.
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 pony who made Chincoteague famous is Misty. She is the star of Marguerite Henry's famous novel published in 1947. The story focuses on a real pony who Ms Henry bought as a yearling in the auction. Misty had several foals and many of her descendants are still alive today.
Owning one of the Chincoteague ponies is a very special privilege. They are a rare breed with a wonderful story behind them. However, only experienced horse people should go to the auctions to buy a pony. They are basically feral animals that have not been handled by humans and require a lot of skilled training to make them into useful domestic pets.
About the Author:
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 pony who made Chincoteague famous is Misty. She is the star of Marguerite Henry's famous novel published in 1947. The story focuses on a real pony who Ms Henry bought as a yearling in the auction. Misty had several foals and many of her descendants are still alive today.
Owning one of the Chincoteague ponies is a very special privilege. They are a rare breed with a wonderful story behind them. However, only experienced horse people should go to the auctions to buy a pony. They are basically feral animals that have not been handled by humans and require a lot of skilled training to make them into useful domestic pets.
About the Author:
The home page at www.intheherd.com offers details about the famous Chincoteague ponies . For more facts, you can check out our website at http://www.intheherd.com now.