Assateague Island Horses

By:Tiffany and LaQuita

Assateague Island horses are wild and powerful horses. The horses are descendents of horses that were brought to the island a long time ago. Assateague horses are actually feral animals. A feral animal is a domesticated animal that became wild. Wild animals deserve to be free spirits. The horses roam the island, enjoying their free life.

But these wild horses can be a problem. Almost 80% of the horse's diet is coarse salt marsh cord grass and American beach grass. The horses are over grazing and having a negative impact on the dune and salt marsh habitats.

The herd is restricted to 150 adult horses to balance the health and well being of the horses with the need to protect the island. They restrict the numbers by giving the female horses a medicine that prevents the horse to become pregnant.

People can help tech Assateague Island horses by becoming a foster parent. Go to Foster Horse Program to make a donation.

References

Assateague's Wild Horses, National Park Service Department of the Interior, Assateague Island National Seashore