The Chincoteague ponies are a truly amazing breed. They are born and live on the tiny islands off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. Thought to be descended from horses that swam ashore from wrecked Spanish galleons as early as the sixteenth century, this distinct breed is small and hardy. Due to their harsh environment they rarely grow above about thirteen and a half hands high. A hand is four inches and is the unit of measurement used for all equines.
The ponies are typically quite small, which makes them good for children and small adults to ride. They are found in every color and are known for their kind disposition. After living in such spare conditions for so long, they are very hardy and easy keepers. Whilst living on the island they often appear to be quite fat. This is not the case, it is mostly the huge quantities of water they need to drink after eating the salty marsh grass.
Many people feel that forcing the animals to swim across to the auction pens is cruel. However, it is very carefully administered and any mare close to foaling or those with very young foals at foot are humanely trailered across. Indeed, any pony considered to be weak or injured will not be making the swim. Anyone can attend the auction and buy a pony, with the average price being around one thousand three hundred dollars. The highest price ever payed for a pony was over eleven thousand dollars.
Upwards of fifty thousand visitors come to the island to watch the swim and later the auction. Not all the ponies are sold, in fact some people will purchase a pony merely as a donation to the fire company. They then allow the pony to return to the herd. Others are sold to private owners and find homes throughout the United States.
The auction began in the 1920's when the newly founded Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company needed to raise money. The fire company still runs the round up and auction to this day. They are also responsible for the general welfare of the herd and ensuring the ponies do not over breed.
Some of the animals can make nice family pets. Around eighty years ago it was observed that the ponies were very small and had numerous faults, this was due to many years of in breeding. Several good stallions were brought in to add new blood lines and improve the stock. This worked well and the typical pony on the island today still shows characteristics of the Arabian and mustang blood from many generations ago.
The pony who made Chincoteague famous is Misty. She is the star of Marguerite Henry's famous novel published in 1947. The story focuses on a real pony who Ms Henry bought as a yearling in the auction. Misty had several foals and many of her descendants are still alive today.
Owning one of the Chincoteague ponies is a very special privilege. They are a rare breed with a wonderful story behind them. However, only experienced horse people should go to the auctions to buy a pony. They are basically feral animals that have not been handled by humans and require a lot of skilled training to make them into useful domestic pets.
The ponies are typically quite small, which makes them good for children and small adults to ride. They are found in every color and are known for their kind disposition. After living in such spare conditions for so long, they are very hardy and easy keepers. Whilst living on the island they often appear to be quite fat. This is not the case, it is mostly the huge quantities of water they need to drink after eating the salty marsh grass.
Many people feel that forcing the animals to swim across to the auction pens is cruel. However, it is very carefully administered and any mare close to foaling or those with very young foals at foot are humanely trailered across. Indeed, any pony considered to be weak or injured will not be making the swim. Anyone can attend the auction and buy a pony, with the average price being around one thousand three hundred dollars. The highest price ever payed for a pony was over eleven thousand dollars.
Upwards of fifty thousand visitors come to the island to watch the swim and later the auction. Not all the ponies are sold, in fact some people will purchase a pony merely as a donation to the fire company. They then allow the pony to return to the herd. Others are sold to private owners and find homes throughout the United States.
The auction began in the 1920's when the newly founded Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company needed to raise money. The fire company still runs the round up and auction to this day. They are also responsible for the general welfare of the herd and ensuring the ponies do not over breed.
Some of the animals can make nice family pets. Around eighty years ago it was observed that the ponies were very small and had numerous faults, this was due to many years of in breeding. Several good stallions were brought in to add new blood lines and improve the stock. This worked well and the typical pony on the island today still shows characteristics of the Arabian and mustang blood from many generations ago.
The pony who made Chincoteague famous is Misty. She is the star of Marguerite Henry's famous novel published in 1947. The story focuses on a real pony who Ms Henry bought as a yearling in the auction. Misty had several foals and many of her descendants are still alive today.
Owning one of the Chincoteague ponies is a very special privilege. They are a rare breed with a wonderful story behind them. However, only experienced horse people should go to the auctions to buy a pony. They are basically feral animals that have not been handled by humans and require a lot of skilled training to make them into useful domestic pets.
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