The mystery of the Assateague horses has interested people for for a long time. Living on the island of Assateague, they are one of the last groups of wild horses that can be seen in the United States. The mystery surrounding how the got to there is one that may never be answered for certain, but that just makes seeing them all the more interesting.
Assateague island is located across the border of Virginia and Maryland. The border cuts the island in half. With half the population belonging to the Virginia side and the other half belonging to the Maryland side. The land is separated by a fence to keep the two herds separated.
The two herds, the Maryland herd and the Virginia herd, total over three hundred. These herds are then divided into smaller groups of about ten each. The smaller groups eat, run and live together.
Both herds are managed by different groups. The Virginia herd is taken care of by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Every year at the Pony Penning festival on Chincoteague island many young males from this herd are auctioned off. This helps to keep the animals at a reasonable number. The proceeds from the auction go towards the maintenance of the animals and the park.
For the Maryland herd, they are managed by the National Park Service. In order to control the population of this herd, a different technique is used. The females are given a contraception vaccine administered by dart, to prevent them from getting pregnant so the population stays at a manageable level.
Human contact can be detrimental to the animals because they have lived for so long by themselves. So, visitors are encouraged to keep away and only enjoy the beauty of the animals from a distance. This is not just for the protection of the animal, but for humans as well. A fantastic way to view them is by taking a boat trip along the shore and watch them from there.
Parks on both the Maryland and Virginia sides are open year round. Bikes and walking are allowed on both sides of the border for no cost, however, if you wish to bring a vehicle there is a small fee. There is also a campground on the Maryland side, as well as proper accommodation, for those people looking to spend a few nights in the park.
There are tours walking tours and boat tours available that will take you along the shore to view the herds in their natural habitat. Weddings and other special occasions can also be held in the parks. The view with the wild creatures in the background will make for an unforgettable wedding. Or hold your next family reunion at the campground or a weekend your family won't soon forget.
The history surrounding the Assateague horses is as mysterious as the creatures themselves. With such beauty and strength, they have come to be admired by thousands of visitors every year. And seeing them in their beautiful natural environment is certainly an amazing sight to see.
Assateague island is located across the border of Virginia and Maryland. The border cuts the island in half. With half the population belonging to the Virginia side and the other half belonging to the Maryland side. The land is separated by a fence to keep the two herds separated.
The two herds, the Maryland herd and the Virginia herd, total over three hundred. These herds are then divided into smaller groups of about ten each. The smaller groups eat, run and live together.
Both herds are managed by different groups. The Virginia herd is taken care of by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Every year at the Pony Penning festival on Chincoteague island many young males from this herd are auctioned off. This helps to keep the animals at a reasonable number. The proceeds from the auction go towards the maintenance of the animals and the park.
For the Maryland herd, they are managed by the National Park Service. In order to control the population of this herd, a different technique is used. The females are given a contraception vaccine administered by dart, to prevent them from getting pregnant so the population stays at a manageable level.
Human contact can be detrimental to the animals because they have lived for so long by themselves. So, visitors are encouraged to keep away and only enjoy the beauty of the animals from a distance. This is not just for the protection of the animal, but for humans as well. A fantastic way to view them is by taking a boat trip along the shore and watch them from there.
Parks on both the Maryland and Virginia sides are open year round. Bikes and walking are allowed on both sides of the border for no cost, however, if you wish to bring a vehicle there is a small fee. There is also a campground on the Maryland side, as well as proper accommodation, for those people looking to spend a few nights in the park.
There are tours walking tours and boat tours available that will take you along the shore to view the herds in their natural habitat. Weddings and other special occasions can also be held in the parks. The view with the wild creatures in the background will make for an unforgettable wedding. Or hold your next family reunion at the campground or a weekend your family won't soon forget.
The history surrounding the Assateague horses is as mysterious as the creatures themselves. With such beauty and strength, they have come to be admired by thousands of visitors every year. And seeing them in their beautiful natural environment is certainly an amazing sight to see.
0 comments:
Post a Comment