![]() It is the Virginia herd which is often referred to as the "Chincoteague" ponies. The permit restricts the size of the herd to approximately 150 adult animals in order to protect the other natural resources of the wildlife refuge. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company owns and manages the Virginia herd, which is allowed to graze on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, through a special use permit issued by the U.S. The National Park Service manages the Maryland herd. These herds have divided themselves into bands of two to twelve animals and each band occupies a home range. They are separated by a fence at the Virginia/Maryland State line. The horses are split into two main herds, one on the Virginia side and one on the Maryland side of Assateague. 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. While this dramatic tale of struggle and survival is popular, there are no records yet that confirm it. Local folklore describes the Assateague horses as survivors of a shipwreck off the Virginia coast. Enjoy their beauty from a distance, and you can help make sure these extraordinary wild horses will continue to thrive on Assateague Island. Horses tough enough to survive the scorching heat, abundant mosquitoes, stormy weather and poor quality food found on this remote, windswept barrier island have formed a unique wild horse society. The "wild" horses on Assateague are actually feral animals, meaning that they are descendants of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state. There are fees involved in visiting both districts and you cannot drive from one directly across the state line to the other: getting from the Virginia District to the Maryland district (and vice versa) requires that you go back to the mainland and travel mainland roads to get to a bridge leading back to the island.The wild horses escape the mosquitoes and flies of the marsh by spending time on the beach.Īssateague's wild horses are well known, even to many people who have never been to the island. Hours are usually 9 am to 4 pm except in summer when that changes to 9 am to 5 pm. The Toms Cove Visitor Center is open 7 days a week, March through November, and Fridays through Mondays the rest of the year. ![]() The Maryland Ranger District and Campground office is open year round but the hours vary with the seasons.īecause of the association with Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the Virginia District of the National Seashore tends to be open during daylight hours only. The Visitor Center is also closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. In January and February it is open the same hours but only Thursday through Monday. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week, 9 am to 5 pm from March through December. The Maryland District of Assateague Island National Seashore is open 24/7/365. In the early 1900's the Volunteer Firemen of Chincoteague Island bought ownership of the herd and have been allowed to graze up to 150 ponies per year on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge through a special use permit granted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The horses have adapted to the harsh environment and have thrived ever since. 1,156 likes, 43 comments - AssateagueNPS (assateaguenps) on Instagram: 'Effective March 28, 2020, Assateague Island National Seashore will be closed to all park visitors.' AssateagueNPS on Instagram: 'Effective March 28, 2020, Assateague Island National Seashore will be closed to all park visitors until further notice. The wild horses probably arrived in the 1600's and 1700's as local settlers used the islands to hide their herds and avoid fencing laws and taxation. Maryland's Assateague State Park is wholly contained within the Maryland District of the National Seashore. The Virginia District of the National Seashore is on property owned by Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is administered by the National Park Service through an agreement with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Stretching from the Ocean City, Maryland inlet to Fishing Point on Tom's Cove Hook, Assateague Island National Seashore overlaps the boundaries of Maryland and Virginia at the island's southern end. ![]() ![]() In addition to the gorgeous expanse of sandy beach, Assateague Island is rather famous for the herd of wild horses roaming the area. Visitors to the park in Virginia enjoy the beach plus find opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of Natural Resources. Assateague Island National Seashore is cared for and managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Assateague Island National Seashore is a 41,320-acre property on Assateague Island, a barrier island off the eastern shores of mainland Maryland and Virginia. A ssateague Island is managed by three official park agencies. ![]()
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