Discover the Chincoteague Ponies

Now an official registered breed, the Chincoteague Pony is a wild pony believed to be descended from survivors of a Spanish galleon shipwreck off the coast near the Maryland and Virginia state line. The ponies are divided into two herds; one herd resides on the Maryland side of Assateague Island, while the other herd lives on the Virginia side.

Assateague Island National Seashore, established in 1965 as a unit of the National Park System, encompasses nearly 48,700 acres of land and water. It extends from Virginia into Maryland. Additionally, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located in Virginia and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with Assateague State Park, Maryland’s only oceanfront state park, are situated within the boundaries of Assateague Island National Seashore.

Where to See a Chincoteague Pony

The Maryland herd is free-roaming and can be spotted anywhere in the park. Since 1968, they have been owned and managed by the National Park Service. To maintain a healthy ecosystem for the horses and protect other park resources, the National Park Service manages the horse population. This is accomplished by administering a dart vaccine each spring to prevent pregnancy in selected mares. The goal is to keep the herd size to fewer than 125 horses.

The entrance to Assateague Island National Seashore from Maryland is at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City. The Barrier Island Visitor Center is located on the southern side of Route 611, just before entering the park over the Verrazzano Bridge. This center is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In contrast, the Virginia herd is owned and managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. By special use permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these horses graze in two designated areas on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. This permit allows for a maximum herd size of approximately 150 adult horses.

The entrance to the Virginia side is at the end of Route 175, situated just two miles from Chincoteague. The Toms Cove Visitor Center is located on the south side of Beach Road, prior to reaching the beach parking areas. The operating hours for this center vary seasonally.

Chincoteague Pony Swim

To manage the herd size effectively, most of the foals from the Virginia herd are auctioned off during the annual Chincoteague Fireman’s Carnival, Pony Swim, and Auction. This well-known event is consistently held on the last consecutive Wednesday of July. It attracts approximately 50,000 spectators each year who gather to witness the exciting saltwater round-up and pony swim across the Assateague Channel.

The specific timing of the swim varies each year. The swim takes place during slack tide, which is the brief period between tides when there is no current, making it a safer time for the ponies.

How to Buy Ponies

An auction occurs on Thursday, the day immediately following the pony swim. The proceeds from this auction support the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which is responsible for the ongoing care costs of the wild horses throughout the year.

It’s important to be cautious with your hands during the auction; you do not need to register to participate, and a raised hand will be considered a bid. Consequently, you might bring home more than you expected from your visit to this unique event.