The Chincoteague Pony
The islands of Chincoteague and Assateague, off the coast of Virginia, represent one of the last remaining habitats for "wild" equine stock. Over 200 ponies, called Chincoteague ponies, live on Assateague, the larger of the two islands, which is now a national park. Until the fierce storms of 1933, Assateague was connected to the mainland, but is now separated from it and the neighboring island of Chincoteague by a narrow strip of water.
The Chincoteague ponies probably derive from stock that strayed from or was abandoned by colonists in the 17th century. They would therefor have an earlier Spanish or North African connection. The story of a ship carrying Moorish horses of, presumably, Barb/Spanish origin, from North Africa to Peru, which was supposedly wrecked of the coast in the 16th century, is less credible and lacks supporting evidence.
It was not until the 1920's that the existence of these wild ponies became generally known. At that time, members of the Chincoteague Fire Department took an interest in the island stock. At that time the island stock exhibited all signs of degeneration. The growth was stunted, and there were the conformational defects and even distortions associated with uncontrolled inbreeding. Inevitably, the quality of the bone was poor and the animals lacked substance.
Since the 1920's positive and not unsuccessful efforts have been made to improve the stock. At one time Welsh pony and Shetland blood was introduced. Both these breeds were compatible with the island stock and acted to upgrade the ponies. Lee understandable, but now far more noticeable, was the use of the Pinto, even though it and the island ponies might have shared some common ancestry in the past. The Pinto cross has produced much pinto stock, although other coat colors are also found. It may have also contributed to the "horsey" appearance in the head.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department continues to be concerned with the ponies' welfare. Each year it holds two Pony Penning Days, which are held on the last Thursday and Friday of July. On these occasions, the Fire Department rounds up the ponies on Assateague and swims them over the channel to the adjacent island of Chincoteague. Once there, they are driven into holding pens where the foals and yearlings are auctioned. The proceeds of the sale are used for managing the herd.
Misty of Chincoteague
The ponies were brought to the attention of a wider public by the of the publication in 1947 of the popular book Misty of Chincoteague. It was written by Marguerite Henry, who had purchased a week-old foal on a visit to the pony sales in the previous year. In 1961 the Chincoteague ponies received greater publicity when 20th Century Fox made the film Misty, which was based on Marguerite Henry's book. There is little doubt that the interest generated by the book then the film was responsible for subsequent popularity of the pony and gave positive encouragement to the improvement of the stock.
Today, the Chincoteague pony is well known with a sizeable, national following. It is known as a good children's pony. Interestingly, the Chincoteague, along with the Mustang of the Western states, is an example of what can be achieved once public interest has been focused on a particular problem. The ponies also have the distinction of being the only indigenous "pony" group in the US.
