horse tours |

Currituck County officials are developing a plan to impose limits on the expanding business of Corolla wild horse tours. They are discussing plans to restrict the number of vehicles per tour to 4 and requiring tour operators to get a license each year and the number of licenses issued would be limited to eight companies that must be based in Currituck County.

Other requirements include:

- Vehicles would have to be registered with the county, with a photo included for each one.

- Each vehicle would get a number and must have a sign on the side with lettering at least 3 inches tall showing the ID number and the company name.

- All vehicles would have guides, instead of one guide leading several vehicles.

- More than one violation of the ordinance in a month could mean being shut down for a day or more.

A county law already requires people to stay 50 feet away from wild horses.

Operators could still carry a similar number of passengers by using vehicles with larger capacities, Woody said.

Officials are considering whether to limit tour times. Now they travel dawn to dusk. Residents want hours limited to something like 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I’m in favor of this, believe or not,” said Jay Bender, owner of Corolla Outback Adventures and Club Seaside partner. “It’s in the best interest of the horses and in the best interest of everybody over the long haul to keep some sort of control over it.”

Complaints from residents and the Corolla Wild Horse Fund explain, “It’s all day every day,” said north beach resident and Corolla Wild Horse Fund Vice President Phyllis Castelli. “There’s never really a time of day when there’s not a tour group going by. It’s completely out of balance.” Castelli saw two wild horses on the beach last week surrounded by people from three different tours. “If I feel this way, imagine how the horses feel,” she said.

There are a couple of things to remember here. If we reduce supply of the horse tours and with demand always increasing this is going to drive up the prices of the tour which is already on the high side. On the other hand it would be in the best interest of our area to restrict the number of companies as to eliminate people in Charlotte, Raleigh or Virginia who see the horse tours as an easy way to make money and have already expressed interest in starting new tour companies.

What do you guys think? There has to be some kind of happy medium…

Here is a video of our recent wild horse tour with Corolla Outback Adventures.

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One of the many great things that makes the Outer Banks so amazing, is the opportunity to see wild horses roaming the beach in Corolla. I remember the first time I visited the Outer Banks- We were spending our college Spring Break at a friends house in Carova. My first concern was that my AWD Honda Ridgeline wasn’t going to make the cut in the 4X4 area. Lucky enough I made it there, and was so amazed to see a group of wild horses grazing right near our house! It truly is a unique experience especially for former city girls like me.

For the 8th year in a row the Corolla Wild Horse Fund will be offering Wild Horse Days from July 5th through the 7th. Wild Horse days is an opportunity to take part in fun events and exhibits the whole family can enjoy. You will get a chance to learn the history behind the wild horses, take a ride on a Spanish Mustang, play children’s games and activities, take part in a horse training clinic and more! There will also be a huge silent auction, live music, beer and wine tasting, food and artwork will also be featured.

If you are visiting the area this would be a wonderful event to take part in. There is something for everyone and is a unique opportunity to learn the rich heritage that is behind the wild horses. If you cant make it, I hope you get the opportunity to see at least one wild horse on your trip, because it is definitely a beautiful sight to see at least once.

If you want to learn more about Wild Horse Days or about the Corolla Wild Horse Fund please visit their website. If you are a Seaside Vacations guest don’t forget to reserve your spot on your complimentary wild horse tour with Corolla Outback Adventures through Club Seaside.

Directions: 16 miles north of Duck on RT 12 North. One block north of the Lighthouse, watch for sign.