Are there ponies on Assateague Island?
Assateague ponies are often found feeding on the salt marsh cordgrass along Assateague’s western shoreline. When traveling by boat, you may encounter Assateague ponies along extensive bay habitats and pine forest of the 37 mile barrier island .
When can you see the ponies at Assateague?
The best time to see the Assateague Island horses is from late April through mid-October. 300 ponies live on the island. Sometimes the ponies are far away out in the marsh, so it is a good idea to bring a good pair of binoculars with you.
Can you see the ponies at Assateague State park?
This voyage is often the best way to see peregrine falcons, sandpipers, egrets, osprey, terns, gulls, waterfowl, marine-life, and (especially) wild ponies. Wild ponies and other wildlife are often encountered when visitors join the boat tour along the extensive inland waters of Assateague Island.
Where can I see wild ponies in Virginia?
Assateague
Chincoteague and Assateague are barrier islands in the Atlantic Ocean protecting Maryland and Virginia. The wild horses (also called wild ponies) are technically “feral” as they are the descendants of domesticated horses that arrived on the islands.
How did the ponies get on Assateague Island?
The most plausible explanation is that they are the descendants of horses that were brought to barrier islands like Assateague in the late 17th century by mainland owners to avoid fencing laws and taxation of livestock.
Where do Assateague ponies go in winter?
Majority of the horses have done their winter migration, traveling to their normal territories they spend most of year. Of the 80+ horses on the Maryland side, more than half are located on the OSV section of the park.
What is the difference between Chincoteague and Assateague?
The largest of these islands is Chincoteague Island. While Assateague is protected as a National Seashore (on the Maryland side) and National Wildlife Refuge (on the Virginia portion of the island), Chincoteague Island is developed, including a town with the island’s name.
Can you touch the horses at Assateague Island?
Petting or feeding the wild horses may seem like a harmless and fun thing to do, but the consequences can be terrible. For your safety and the safety of the horses, please obey park regulations and do not approach, touch or feed the Assateague horses.
Which is better Assateague or Chincoteague?
Assateague Island National Seashore is 37 miles long and renowned for its wild horses and sandy beaches while Chincoteague is only 7 miles long and better known for its marshes, dunes, forests, and more.
Where are the Chincoteague Ponies now?
Assateague Island
They live in the wild on Assateague Island. Assateague Island is about 38 miles long, half of the Island is in Maryland and half is in Virginia. Two herds of wild horses make their home on Assateague Island, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. The Maryland herd is managed by the National Park Service.
What is the best time of year to visit Assateague Island?
While there can be days with rough seas, late spring into summer have the most days of calm seas that are perfect and safer for swimming. The Bad: Bugs can be in full force (wind dependent), rising crowds, potentially long lines and full parking lots. Hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1st.
Which side of Assateague Island is better?
We prefer the Maryland side, less crowds, bigger beach, better facilities on the State Park area, and Berlin is always wonderful.