North
Carolina's Wild Horses
The
wild horses of North Carolina's Outer Banks once roamed freely along
the entire length of this coastal barrier island chain, isolated from
man for the most part for nearly 400 years. Descended from Spanish
mustangs brought by the earliest European explorers to the Carolina
coast, they have tenaciously survived this harsh and unforgiving environment.
By the early 20th
century the popularity of this rugged landscape as a vacation mecca
had taken over much of the prime Outer Banks land. Eventually the
National Park Service took control over most of what was left, pushing
the wild mustangs into more isolated havens. Now there are but three
groups of these intriguing horses left. There is a fourth group which
started from Shackleford and Ocracoke stock. Though now considered
"feral" because of mixed bloodlines with some thoroughbred stock,
they still clearly carry the tenacious traits of their wild Spanish
Mustang roots.
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The
Wild Spanish Mustangs of Corolla
roam some 7,500 acres of protected land on the northern tip
of Currituck Banks between Corolla and the Virginia state line.
They once wandered an area 2-3 times larger until explosive
development forced them into the last remote land on Currituck
Banks. READ
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| photo
by Jim Esslinger |
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The
Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
roam
free on Shackleford Banks, an isolated barrier island adjacent
to Harkers Island, that stretches nine miles between Beaufort
and Cape Lookout. Like the Ocracoke "ponies", these wild Spanish
mustangs are overseen by the National Park Service. READ
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Beaufort's
Wild Horses
of the Rachel Carson Reserve
can
often be seen across from Beaufort's downtown waterfront grazing
by Taylor Creek on Town Marsh island. The reserve is also a
haven for many birds and other wildlife. READ
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The
Ocracoke "Banker" Ponies
roamed Ocracoke Island for hundreds of years until Hwy.
NC 12 was built in 1957 to connect Ocracoke Village to the Hatteras
Inlet ferry landing. Now they are confined to a 100+ acre fenced
pasture to keep them from the dangers of cars on the highway. READ
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