So the wild ponies of Assateague Island are actually owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. Each year the herds are rounded up by the “Saltwater Cowboys”, swam across the channel, and a portion of the herd is auctioned off. The money from the auction is used for veterinary care for the ponies, local charities, and to fund the fire department for the year. This also helps control the size of the herds.
When we ventured out to Assateague on Monday the herds had been rounded up and corralled. They will spend the day resting, and checked out by the vets tomorrow. They are wild so you keep your distance. Beautiful animals.
My wife grew up on the Eastern Shore, so she has seen the pony swim many times. We brought our kids to see it years ago, and now this week we begin sharing it with our granddaughter.