The Orient Express

Chincoteague Pony Swim

            Know one can be certain when or how the Chincoteague ponies arrived on the island. Assateague Island has been home to the ponies as long as anyone can remember. One popular story says that the ponies survived the sinking of a Spanish galleon and managed to swim to the shore of Assateague Island making the island their home. Most probably it was early settlers to the region who used the island for grazing land for their livestock and the ponies have stayed on through time.  The descendents of these early ponies still live on Assateague Island today.

            During the 1800’s a small community was built on Assateague Island. It included a school, several stores and homes. Today the Island is a National Wildlife Refuge and the ponies are protected by law. As a child you may have read the true story “Misty of Chincoteague” which tells about a brother and sister who grew up on Chincoteague Island. They purchased one of the ponies and named her “Misty”. Misty was unique as she had markings on her side that resembled a map of the United States. Hollywood made a movie about Misty too!

            The first pony swim occurred in 1925. Once a year, in July, the ponies are herded up and lead across the Assateague channel when the tide is “slack calm”. They are then corralled and a veterinarian gives them a physical and their immunizations. To thin the herd some of the ponies are auctioned off and the public bids very actively to be one of the lucky ones to buy a real Chincoteague pony. The proceeds from the sale of the ponies go to the Chincoteague Fire Company.

            There is a lot to do during the Pony Swim. The Chincoteague Fire Company holds a carnival, there are daily pony tours of the island, this is a great time to take in the many birds and other wildlife in the refuge, visit the lighthouse and fishing is great in this are of the Delmarva.

            For more information please see –

http://www.assateagueisland.com/ponyswim/ponyswim.htm