Pony Preservation

November/December 2007
Misty Shepherd 
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Although there are about 300 horses on the island, they are divided into two herds, separated by a fence on the state line. On the Virginia side, the local fire department maintains and cares for roughly 150 horses. They raise money by auctioning the foals each year. The Maryland herd of 139 ponies is managed by the National Park Service. They use birth control to keep numbers down.

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Both organizations employ sound vaccination and parasite control programs to ensure the horses’ health. In the process, they ensure that the hardy island breed will be around for generations to come.

For more information, contact the following agencies:

Chincoteague Pony Association
P.O. Box 407
Chincoteague, VA 23336
(757) 336-6917
www.ChincoteagueChamber.com/map-pony-assn.html

Assateague Island National Seashore
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811
(401) 641-1441
www.NPS.gov/asis

Misty of Chincoteague Foundation
PO Box 4352
Charlotsville, Va. 22905
(847) 439-2046
www.Chincoteague.com/misty.html

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  • Susan 6/10/2009 12:39:57 PM

    The last Wed-Thur and Fri in July are the dates for the Annual Round-up, pony swim (from Assateague I to Chincoteague I), auction and swim back to Assateague I. It's one of the best times to see these world famous ponies.
    They are very well cared for by the Chincoteague Vol Fire Dept and if you are so inclined you can get a great pony at a reasonable price. These colts and fillies grow to be intellegent, sweet mounts. I have 2 and they will be going under saddle in the fall.
    If you wish to bid on a pony and don't have the means to keep it, there is a "buy back" program where if you win the bid, you get to name it and it is forever yours and kept on Assateague Island with the herd to be the parents of the future stock. The "buy backs" are few so bidding gets heated.

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