Tag Archives: horses

Outer Banks Link Love: A Bonanza of OBX Love

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

This week’s Link Love is chock full of all sorts of good OBX info. Good wild horse news, multiple top 10 lists, breaking news on the beach driving issue, nature, gardens…lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!

Lets get to it!

As I mentioned last week, I like to get the not-so-great news out of the way first so we can focus on the positive.

  • It’s part of nature, but it’s always sad to see a beached whale. This story doesn’t offer too much detail, but you can get the basic gist; a deceased whale washed up in Nags Head this week. I guess it’s the Circle of Life, but always a bit heartbreaking.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s move on to some goodies…

  • The Outer Banks lands on two Top 10 lists this week…
    • Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Coastal Living named the Outer Banks to their list of “Top 10 Romantic Escapes.” Their description is great: “The Outer Banks offers the most elementally “out there” experience of any bridge-accessible U.S. destination. Standing on a thin ribbon of sand, with the mainland out of sight over the western horizon and burly Atlantic Ocean waves thundering in from the east, you truly feel untethered from your everyday world. Such towns as Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills offer plenty of tourist pleasures. But it’s also easy to sneak away and find your own private stretch of beach, with vivid stars overhead, moonlight-silvered surf at your feet, the sea breeze tousling your hair―and magic ready to happen.”
    • The OBX also made Coastal Livings list of “Top 10 Shelling Beaches.” This one is particular to Ocracoke…But we’e all one big, happy family on the OBX. :)

How about a little wild horse love?

  • Check out this cool documentary video about “Alonso,” a Corolla wild horse that is being moved from the Corolla herd to the Ocracoke herd to help improve diversity.

Let’s stick with the nature theme…

  • Are you garden lover? History lover? All around lover of the OBX? Have you ever been to the Elizabethan Gardens? No?! It’s a must. So worth the trip. Here’s a great article that gives you a brief history of the Elizabethan Gardens, and as the title says, it “offers far more than greenery.”
  • The Outer Banks is one of the premier locations for birding. The OBX sits in a prime location that cross the migration paths of a wide variety of birds. This has been a slow year for birding though – I can’t speak from experience, but the article I’ll link to mentions it is probably due to the warm winter weather. However, even with a slow birding season, the OBX offers some rare gems, including a Golden Eagle!

Here’s a pretty interesting idea for all your OBX vacationers that return year after year…

  • Tired of lugging all of that OBX beach gear in your car year after year? How about a convenient storage “beach box” to keep your goods on the Outer Banks? Brilliant, right? Add that to the list of “why didn’t I think of that.”

Let’s close out with the heated topic of Outer Banks beach driving…but there’s a twist…some breaking news…

  • I agree that the new beach driving rules are no fun. I love the freedom to drive on the OBX beaches – it’s one of the many aspects that make the Outer Banks so special. However, here are some thoughts to consider…
    • The rules are similar to those already in place at other seashore parks.
    • Those fees — and an accompanying requirement to watch an educational video — aren’t unusual.
    • Tourism figures don’t reflect a downturn in overall visitors to the Outer Banks, despite the recession and a couple of wildfire-plagued summers.
    • The plan acknowledges the importance of beach driving and fishing to the local economy. Popular areas such as Cape Point, South Point and Bodie Island Spit will have ORV routes that are open at least seasonally.
    • Special-use permits will be available for commercial fishermen to reach some areas ordinarily closed to vehicles.
    • Park officials also plan to seek funding for additional ORV access ramps and to consider allowing businesses to offer beach and water shuttles to fishing areas.
    • The Outer Banks is still open for business.
  • Now, with all of that said, check out the news that just broke late yesterday afternoon; an OBX beach access group just filed a law suit to stop the Park Service’s ORV (off-road vehicle) plan. There’s still hope yet.

Time Capsule

Here are some popular posts from last year at this time:

Outer Banks Link Love: 1.20.12 – Lots o’ Local News

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

Here’s this weeks love for all of the links I couldn’t get to. A bunch of local OBX news to pass on.

Enjoy the link love…

  • Congrats to local Outer Banks surfer, Kim Diggs for landing a full-page spread in the new Surfing magazine. Always great to see an OBX local hit the big time.
  • New Outer Banks bridge one step closer to being a reality. The final environmental impact study was just released for the Mid-Currituck bridge. What do you think, does the OBX need another bridge?
  • The Bodie Island Lighthouse restoration is back on! After almost a year in hiatus, the additional funding for the project has been approved, and work should start at the Lighthouse by late February. Hopefully we’ll be climbing to the top come fall!
  • The Coast Guard earned their pay this week, and hauled in a sailor from a sinking sailboat off of Hatteras.
  • There’s no doubt Lowe’s is on the OBX. And now that they are here, they are bringing 125 jobs with them.
  • Looks like NatGeo is going to do a feature on the Outer Banks. We have to wait until June to see it, but pretty cool.
  • Are you aware that the Outer Banks has some fantastic golf courses? And you can setup an OBX golf package so you can play them all! Sweet.
  • Check out this awesome story about a horse trainer working with the Outer Banks wild horses. The wild horse whisperer?!
  • Got any OBX Civil War artifacts? The Outer Banks History Center is on the hunt for OBX Civil War memorabilia for an upcoming exhibit.
  • Any country music fans out there? How about Randy Thompson fans? Seems that good ol’ boy Randy enjoyed New Year’s on the Outer Banks. Love OBX celebrity sightings!
  • We’ve been sharing a lot of Outer Banks Everyday Magic stories recently, and here’s a great OBX story that wasn’t so magical…then again, maybe an adventure that turns into a lifelong family story is magical.
  • I’m not sure if the OBX needs saving, but just in case, here’s your chance to save the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Wild Horse Tours Could Be Limited

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Outer Banks Wild Horses

Outer Banks Wild Horses

The Outer Banks wild horses are one of the most popular OBX attraction, and Currituck County is considering the possibility of limit professional tours to see the wild horses.

Currently, there are eight companies operating tours that are comprised of 45 vehicles with the capacity to carry as many as 324 people.   Permitted tour businesses include a golf cart tour in Corolla, two kayak tours along the Currituck Sound shoreline, and two Segway tours.  In addition, a company with two 24-person buses is seeking a permit.

The drawback is that County Commissioners are finding it difficult to keep track of these budding businesses, and as a result, they are considering a moratorium on new horse tours to give an opportunity to assess the number of people on the tours and the number of vehicles.

The Outer Banks is one of the few locations to glimpse the magic of wild horses, and a balance must be struck between allowing access to these gorgeous animals and preserving the private setting for the horses…and the local residents.

Outer Banks Wild Horses to be Named North Carolina’s State Horse

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Outer Banks Wild Horses - Mare & Two Foals

Outer Banks Wild Horses - Mare & Two Foals

As an update to a previous post entitled Outer Banks Wild Horses to be Named State Horse, the general assembly ratified a bill last week to name the Outer Banks Wild Horses the state horse of North Carolina.

These horses are believed to be the decendants of Spanish mustangs that would have first arrived to the OBX in the 1500s. The estimated population of wild horses is somewhere around 100 mustangs in Corolla, and about 140 in Carteret County.  

People who have studied these amazing animals have realized that the group that is located in Corolla splits into smaller groups of a lead stallion, a few mares and a young horse.  These horses have become one of the top attractions of tourists to the Outer Banks. 

The great idea to name these majestic animals the state horse was thought of by students at Shawboro Elementary School in Currituck County.  The governor is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

Larger Herd for Outer Banks Wild Horses? – New Legislation Proposed

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Outer Banks Wild Horses - Mare & Two Foals

Outer Banks Wild Horses - Mare & Two Foals

The size of the herd for the Outer Banks wild horses is regulated by state legislation, and the size has been a hotly discussed topic over the years.  The current legislation places the limit of horses in the herd at 60, but many believe this limit is too low to preserve the horses health and longevity.  

Many horse supporters are celebrating a bill that has been introduced by US Rep Walter Jones.  The legislation, introduced last Wednesday, would require Federal and State government to form a new herd of horses that should not contain less than 100 horses in the Corolla area. 

According the Karen McCalpin, director of the Corolla Wild Horse fund, the herd is too small.  A genetic study that was conducted by Texas A&M University determined that the herd needs more horses to avoid genetic defects and protect the herd’s health and safety in the future.  McCalpin said. “On Ocracoke Island (the herd) is down to less than 20. This (bill) is going to enable us to manage the herd at a genetically healthy number. Without genetic health you don’t have physical health.” 

The bill still has quite a long way to becoming law, but Walter Jones getting his foot in the door with the bill is a big step toward the health and well-being of the wild horse population on the Outer Banks.

Harley Davidson Pony Poker Run on the Outer Banks

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Outer Banks Harley Pony Poker Run
Outer Banks Harley Pony Poker Run

 A fundraiser for the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. The Pony Run is a fun poker run with a pin that ends up at Outer Banks H-D in Harbinger for live music, on-site horses, food, prizes and more.

Regulation Starts for Outer Banks Wild Horse Tours

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Outer Banks Wild Horses

Outer Banks Wild Horses

As of 2010, guided tours in search of the Outer Banks wild horses will have new regulations to comply with.   Tours to see the OBX wild horses will be required to have permits, a guide, and a sign on the tour vehicle.  Commissioners approved the requirements in September.

Two nonprofit companies have been issued their permits over the last week and four others have applied.  In the past, driving in this area has been considered a nuisance to many residents of the Carova area, reporting trespassing and reckless driving.  The goal of the newly adopted regulations is to increase safety for all the residents of the area, including the horses. 

As a membership benefit, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund plans to offer a private tour in one vehicle driven by herd manager Wesley Stal-lings, “You’re going with the guy who sees these horses on a daily basis,” said Karen McCalpin, director of the nonprofit.  “It’s almost like a National Geographic experience.”

Two “Banker” Ponies Added to Outer Banks Herd

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The “Banker” horses at Cape Lookout National Seashore are thriving and the heard is spreading to the Outer Banks. 

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore recently adopted two Shackleford Banks ponies from the Foundation for Shackleford Horses. Both ponies are fillies and approximately two years old.  The fillies are named Sacajawea and Jitterbug and were delivered to Ocracoke Pony Pens on Sunday, December 13.

Maintaining herd size and genetic diversity is crucial for herd survival, and the addition of the two ponies will help reintroduce the genetic strain common to Outer Banks horses.  This particular strain of ponies is typically identified by the brown body and white face markings commonly seen in other Outer Banks horses.

New Ordinances for Outer Banks Wild Horses?

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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.

Larger Herd for Outer Banks Wild Horses?

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  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.