Chincoteague Ponies

This post is the story and pictures about two bands of Chincoteague ponies and what happens when one band gets too close to another.  The pics are taken from a Daisey’s Island Cruises tour boat.  Captain Nate saw all this developing and gave warning to watch.

Let’s begin with some quick background information about the ponies, collected from various online sources.  To start, although popularly known as Chincoteague Ponies, they actually live on Assateague Island.  The island is owned by the Federal government and split by a fence at the Maryland/Virginia state line.  The Maryland herd is managed by the Federal government. The Virginia herd, shown in this blog, is owned and managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company whose management includes two roundups for veterinary inspections.  Additionally, they coordinate the very famous roundup and pony swim for the July auction.  Here is a link to the Official Chincoteague Island Pony Swim Guide (link) for complete info on that. 

The short version about the roundup and auction

The northern group of the Virginia herd, about 100 ponies, is rounded up and moved down the beach to corrals close to the Assateague Channel. Then, the southern groups totaling about 50 ponies are corralled.  At a time of “slack tide” the horses are coaxed to swim across the channel to Chincoteague Island, and then given a rest period before they are moved down Main Street to the auction area.  Older horses and foal too young to swim the channel are trailered to the auction.  Around 30,000 spectators flock to the area for this event.

Only 150 ponies are allowed on the federal grazing permit.  In order to maintain this number, foals are sold at auction to reduce the herd size appropriately.  Proceeds take care of vet fees, pay the federal grazing permit, and provide for operational expenses of the fire department. Here is the report of sales in 2018: 53 ponies sold (including 10 buybacks which sold for $93,100), average cost $4,309 (record), high bid $20,000, low bid $1,000, total sales $228,400 (record).  A certain number of foals are designated as “buyback”.  These ponies are returned to the herd to replace losses due to old age, storms and winter conditions.  The bidders of these ponies understand that they are only getting the naming rights.   

Enough of that, let’s talk about the very special band interaction that I was able to experience and photograph on June 13th, 2019.

Don Leonard greets Rip Tide 

Stallion Don Leonard’s band of about 14 or 15 mares and 5 foals were slowly grazing and moving down the beach.  Don Leonard was bringing up the rear keeping an eye on things.  (Maybe a little bit asleep on duty.)  Don Leonard’s band was hidden by some shore line brush that hid their view from the stallion Rip Tide and his band of ponies who were nearby in an open area.  Don Leonard’s band slowly came into sight of Rip Tide.  Rip Tide could not tolerate this encroachment and challenged the approaching group.  So, the following is a story in photographs which are presented chronologically as they were taken with hand held 150 to 850mm zoom lens setups on the camera.

The picture at the very top shows things start out with peaceful grazing on a beautiful day.  

  Don Leonard’s band during peaceful activity before the encounter.

(The numbers on the ponies are freeze brands, and indicate the year they were sold.)

Rip Tide has enough of the encroachment and comes charging in – Don Leonard takes action

The Mare, Golden Girl, DOES NOT like Don Leonard pushing her and her filly down the beach

Aftermath is slow to settle back into peaceful grazing

The mare, Beach Bunny, agitated by all the excitement, picks on Little Duckie

Don Leonard lets the mares know he is not happy.

A return to grazing with Don Leonard keeping a better watch.

— Thanks For The Look —

My Blog Post Chincoteague Boat Tour (link) tells more about the rest of the boat tour.

Please leave comments and likes here on the website. (Your name and email are optional.)