A study to determine the effects of Corolla’s wild horses on the forests and wetlands of Eastern North Carolina will begin in early 2010.  The study will span about two years and will be conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and North Carolina State University.

The researchers will explore the affects of grazing mammals – horses, feral pigs and deer – on the maritime forests, marshland and wet meadows within the study area by monitoring enclosures in which each of the species has been excluded.  One fenced area, which has already been developed, excludes all three species.

The current wild horse herd count is around 100, 40 more than the number stated in a 1999 management plan.  The Corolla Wild Horse Fund, set up 1989 by concerned citizens to heighten awareness of the presence of the wild horses in the area, is growing increasingly concerned about maintaining genetic diversity in the herd.  The group unsuccessfully petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service last year to increase the herd size further to at least 120 to boost the gene pool.

3rd Annual Wild and Free Pony Run 2009!

Sunday, September 20th
Poker Run Registration from 9am to 11am

Collectors Pin to first 75 Riders!

Food & Drink, Music
Tons of Door Prizes, Raffles, 50/50, Bike Games
BIG Cookout and Wild Ponies On-Site!

Support the Wild Horses of the Outer Banks and RIDE so they can RUN FREE!

Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson
Harbinger, NC
252-491-2091

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners weighed their options at their Monday, July 6 meeting to decide if a change to the county ordinance restricting how close individuals may approach the wild horses located on the northern Currituck Outer Banks.

County Attorney, Ike McRee, met recently with Lieutenant Jason Bank of the Currituck Sheriff’s Department and Karen McAlpin of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to discuss some concerns that people were getting to close to the wild horses to take photos, putting children next to the wild horses and even walking in the middle of a herd.

McRee stated in the memo that as currently drafted, the Code of Ordinances does not prohibit such acts unless the person has lured or in some manner enticed the wild horse to approach them.

McRee continues that the proposed ordinance change will make unlawful any person intentionally coming within 50 feet of a wild horse. Law enforcement, animal control, wild horse sanctuary officers and veterinarians rendering treatment to a wild horse would be exempt from the 50 foot limit.

    Students in Currituck and Dare counties of North Carolina’s Outer Banks have begun a letter writing campaign aimed at making the OBX wild horses the official state horse for North Carolina.

The wild horses have been on the Outer Banks for hundreds of years; it is believed they arrived with Spanish explorers, but due to increased development and a growing tourism industry, not to mention a lack of protection on a state and local government level, the horses are endangered.  The students hope to help the horses survive by drawing increased attention to their plight and generate state-wide support as the official state horse.

A formal event will be held in November to hand all of the letters over to N.C. lawmakers.

Currituck Heritage Park began their annual Winter Education Series in late November.  The educational series stretches over four months and kicked off with the “ History of Hooves.” 

The inaugural lecture was delivered by the Wild Horse Fund Director, Karen McCalpin, in the Old Corolla Schoolhouse, where the Wild Horse Fund houses its main offices, educational material, and store. 

McCalpin described the history of wild horses on the Outer Banks’ northern beaches, stretching back in time for centuries.  It is believed that during the 16^th century Spanish explorers brought horses from Europe which eventually led to a surplus of horses on the East Coast in the 17^th  century.   Unfortunately, those wild horses are becoming scarce today, and the Wild Horse Fund was developed to help protect the horses and champion their causes.   The Wild Horse fund views education as one of its main tools towards  the protection of the species.

A full description of the event can be found at the Daily Advance.   

Currituck County commissioners unanimously voted against a plan for commercial development in Corolla’s northern beaches.

A Norfolk developer applied for an “off road historic village commercial overlay,” which included plans for a 25.77 acres site for the development of a 50 room inn, a convenience store and Currituck county services such as fire departments, a church, a professional center, and apartments. 

Residents of Swan Beach (northern most region of OBX beaches) have consistently been resistant to the idea of development, and the population of wild horses that roam free in this area are a prime concern to the locals that oppose the development.  

This pristine local is safe for the time being. 

History on Hooves

LOCATION: COROLLA WILD HORSE FUND MUSEUM

Learn the history as it relates to the wild horses that have called the Outer Banks home for centuries.

Are they really direct descendents of the horses of Spain?

How have they survived for 500 years?

And most importantly, how much longer can they remain “wild and free”?

Light lunch will be served.

Call 252-453-8002 for reservations.

Donations appreciated.

  The proper size of the wild horse herd on the Outer Banks continues to be a contentious subject. 

Currituck County officials, The Corolla Wild Horse Fund, and the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge have been debating the size of the herd for years.  The three parties agreed on a management plan in 1999 which set the limit of wild horses to 60, but as of September the count is up to 101.  The Wild Horse Fund feels the size of the herd needs to be increased to at least 120 to 130 to encourage long-term health.  A recent study conducted by a genetics expert indicates that the wild horses have a low genetic diversity stemming from the breeding patterns of a small herd; this low genetic diversity can lead to defects in the future.  The National Wildlife Refuge is concerned about the impact the wild horses, especially a larger herd, have on the surrounding environment.    

A recent article by Jeff Hampton in the The Virginian-Pilot points out that additional science will soon be added to the debate.  “The Corolla Wild Horse Fund plans to commission a study led by North Carolina State University that would examine the effect of the herd on marshes and grasses crucial to waterfowl habitat,” said Karen McCalpin, executive director of the fund.  The study would also measure the impact of humans and feral hogs in the area. 

  Wild horses are a rare sight in today’s day and age.  The northern tip of the Outer Banks is fortunate to provide a home to 60 wild Spanish mustangs.  The horses roam freely in a 12,000 acre area on the northern beaches of Corolla (Carova Beach), just south of the Virginia border.   

The horses are thought to be descendents of mustangs brought to the New World by Spanish explorers.  It is believed that the horses were stranded here or swam ashore during ship wrecks. 

The Outer Banks wild mustangs are a major piece of Outer Banks history, culture, and economy.  The horses are a large tourism draw, and offer a reminder of the significance of the Outer Banks and horses to the growth of the New World. 

It is believed by many that the horses are facing increased dangers. 

The Currituck Board of Commissioners is holding a meeting in October offering residents of Currituck County an opportunity to voice their concerns and advocate changes.  The meeting will focus on the herd management program that critics feel is hurting the mustangs due to its lower restrictions on herd size. 

The current management plan limits the herd size to 60, but many feel that restriction should be almost doubled.   There is growing concern that the current restrictions may be harmful to the horses’ long-term health. 

It is believed that the herd has survived on inbreeding.  This inbreeding has not adversely affected the mustangs’ beauty or health yet, but over time, this inbreeding could lead to a wide variety of issues detrimental to the mustangs’ health and wellbeing. 

Horse advocates are asking that the management plan be amended to allow the herd to grow to 110 mustangs.  In addition, it is recommended that an exchange program be set up with the wild horses on Shackleford Banks.  The Shackleford Banks horses have the same genetic makeup as the Corolla horses, and surprisingly that herd is 120 strong covering only 3,000 acres.  It is suggested that several mares and stallions be exchanged between the herds to limit inbreeding and protect the overall health of the herd.