marsh mud to a makeshift fence. I thought I was early, but I discovered others had arrived before me. The weather that morning had a sense of humor, again. It was raining off and on all the way up until the ponies hit the water. But that didn't stop thousands of spectators who came out to watch the 93rd Annual Pony Swim. The ponies cross the Assateague Channel at slack tide, when there is very little movement in the tides. This makes for an easy, safe swim for the ponies.
The Coast Guard gives the signal with a red flare, and the Saltwater Cowboys know that's when to start pushing the ponies into the water. Once the red flare goes off, you begin to hear the cracking of whips, the cheer of the crowd and clapping hands. Its a pretty exciting moment. The ponies hit the water and headed straight for us. The swim took only 5 minutes. Boats lined up to help guide and watch ponies and a few of the Saltwater Cowboys remained on our side waiting to meet them as they arrived.
The riders who brought the ponies from the other side of the channel rode over on a barge made to carry their horses. Once all ponies were safely on our side of the channel, the ponies are rested for 45 minutes to an hour. During this down time I made my way to
Main Street where they parade the wild ponies to the carnival grounds.
When the Saltwater Cowboys brought the wild ponies in, the excitement overtook the crowd! Lots of smiles and happy tears. Once the ponies reached the carnival grounds they were given fresh hay, clean water and allowed to rest for the day.
Thursday Pony Auction Day
Only foals are sold during the Pony Auction Day. Foals are sold to help raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and the community. Some foals are sold to private homes and some are bid on but go back to the island to live. This helps maintain the herd and helps prevent inbreeding. It keeps the herd healthy. One of the babies sold for $20,000! It then went back to live out its life on the island. When the foals are brought into the arena, they are only handled with hands, again no ropes of any kind. A few foals were too young to leave their dams, but were bid on. These babies are sold but go back to their moms until the fall round up. They are microchipped with their owner's information and then picked up at the fall round up. All foals are fully vaccinated, provided coggins tests and health certificates before they leave for their new homes.
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Foals are handled with hands only, no ropes
The adult ponies are returned to continue living in the wild