The first question asked by most people. There are two different theories on how they inhibited the island. The first could be placing the horses on the island in the 17th century, by early english settlers.The most liked theory is that a spanish galleon headed for South America was wrecked in a violent storm. The horses onboard escaped and swim ashore to the island of Assateague Virginia.
The horses soon adapted to the island life, as well as the people that settled there. As a couple centuries passed, settlers found their way from Assateague to Chincoteague Island, leaving the horses on Assateague. Chincoteague means 'Beautiful Land Across Water.' Not only is Assateague inhibited by ponies, theres endangered birds, squirrels, and deer that live there as well. Torwards the mid 1990's, the Island became known, and tourists flored the Island.
At one point in time, the ponies came right up onto the roadways, the beach and even the people as seen below. A few years ago, around the year 2000, the fire company put up fences for the ponies saftey and the people. The ponies still have about 33 miles out of 37 of Assateague to roam.
Please read on, to learn more about the ponies themselves, and the famous Pony Swim, and of course learn more about the Island.
