Chincoteague and Assateague Ponies Rock!

Chincoteague (pronounced chin-kuh-teeg) poniesto prevent contagious diseases and they get
come from an island off the coast of Virginia.wormed.
According to legend, long ago a Spanish galleonPony Penning Day used to be the only place you
got shipwrecked during a storm off the coast ofcould get a Chincoteague pony. Now there are
Assateague Island. The ponies escaped and swamsmall herds of these rare ponies being raised in
ashore. The truth isn't half as interesting. Colonistsother parts of the country. Now it's easier for
living in Virginia probably turned horses loose onthose of us who are crazy about Chincoteague
the island. It doesn't matter how they got on theponies to get one of our own!
island, really. Today they are a wonderfulChincoteague ponies are on the large side for a
American pony breed. They are well-known forpony. They can range from 12 hands to 13 hands
flashy colors, lots of personality and intelligence.high. A full grown pony can easily carry a person
The ponies on Assateague Island are actuallyup to 150 pounds.
divided into two different herds. The Virginia herdThe most famous Chincoteague pony was Misty.
is in the south. These are the ponies known asShe was made famous by the book "Misty of
Chincoteague ponies. The northern herd are calledChincoteague" by Marguerite Henry. The book
Assateague ponies. They are taken care of bywas written in 1947, and remains a favorite of
the National Park Service.children everywhere. Like almost every other girl
Every year on the last Monday in July, thewho read Misty's story, I've always wanted to go
Saltwater Cowboys round up all the wild ponies.to Pony Penning Day to get a pony.
On Wednesday, the ponies swim across theMisty even had a movie made about her in 1961.
channel for Pony Penning Day. Hundreds of peopleShe toured schools around the world for awhile.
line the shores to watch the ponies swim. It takesMisty then retired back to Chincoteague to have
them five to ten minutes to swim across. It isbabies of her own. Misty died on October 16,
amazing that even the small foals can make the1972. If you're lucky enough to visit Chincoteague,
swim safely!you can see her hoof prints in the cement in
The wet ponies are then paraded to the carnivaldowntown Chincoteague. She has a statue
grounds. The ponies rest and those who will be inhonoring her as Chincoteague's most famous
the auction the next day are tagged.pony, too.
At the auction on Thursday, the foals are sold toChincoteague ponies have their own registry now,
people who have come from all over the country.like other horse breeds. It began in 1994. It is
The money raised from the auction helps theknown as the Chincoteague Pony Association.
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. While itSince Chincoteague ponies were bred by natural
may seem sad to sell the foals, it keeps the herdselection, there is quite a range of characteristics.
on Assateague to around 150 ponies. This is anSome ponies look more like Arabians, while others
amount the island can support in good health. Thelook like small Mustangs. Their heads should be
foals that are sold get to go to loving homes withexpressive, with a wide forehead. Their eyes
the lucky people who bought them.should be large and soft. Their nose should be
On Friday, the older ponies are returned toshort, and can be either dished or straight. It
Assateague for another year. The wild ponies areshould end in a firm, tapered muzzle. They weigh
checked twice a year to see if they are healthy.about 750 pounds and you can find them in
They have their hooves trimmed, they get shotsalmost any color. Pintos are very common.