Chincoteague Island

Annual Pony Swim

Assateague Ponies have been around since about 1867. For the past 91 years Chincoteague Island has taken care of these ponies in their natural habitat. Every year, a group of volunteers called the "Saltwater Cowboys" assist the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company in a three day tradition. The first day is rounding up the wild ponies and leading them towards water where they will swim to the Chincoteage shore.

Once all of the ponies are safely on the Chincoteague shore, they are ushered through a parade around the island that will end at the horse corral at the back of the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds. Once all of the ponies are pinned into the corral, there is a vet that goes around checking all of the ponies for any illnesses or injuries. The next day the an auction is held to sell the healthy and younger ponies for donations towards the Chincoteague Fire Company. They ponies are walked out into a clearing with two people to help contain them while the onlookers can view their bidding horse.

The last day of the three day event is for the swim back across the water so that the ponies can continue living and breeding in their natural environment. Its truley an amazing thing to witness. I have had the honor of being apart of this process for the past few years. I highly encourage others to come and join in on the festivities.

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