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Chincoteague "Wild" Ponies
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
They are wild horses that are actually feral animals - descendants of domestic animals
that have reverted to a wild state. Domestic horses were brought to the barrier island
of Assateague in the late 17th century by mainland owners to avoid fencing laws and
taxation of livestock. The horses split into two main herds: Maryland and Virginia and
became "wild". The Virginia herd eventually came to be owned by the Chincoteague
Fire Company and are allowed to graze on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The "Pony Penning" festival takes place each year in July where ponies are rounded
up and swum from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island where most of the foals
are auctioned off.