Chincoteague/Assateague pony
Origin: United States of America
Common Color: Pinto but solid colors occur.
Average Height: 12 - 14hh
These ponies live off the coast of Maryland and Virginia in the US on Assateague Island. They are made famous by the numerous stories written about them, I'm sure we've all read Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry at least once! There are many stories about how they got on the Island, though it's probable that they are descendants of horses released on the island by colonists.
They are hardy animals that are easy keepers and roam the islands wild in small bands eating the salty marsh grasses. Though they are wild, some have been trained to ride. Every July, the ponies are penned to swim the Chincoteague river. It's a famous event that attracts people. They stay one night on the carnival grounds and swim back the next morning.
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