Marguerite Henry
Chincoteague Island Pony Swim
Chincoteague Island Pony Swim
If you go to Chincoteague Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia during the last week of July, you’re probably there for the Pony Penning and Auction, like approximately 50,000 other visitors. You’ll be in for an exciting time, but what you won’t see is the sort of round-up which takes place on Federal grazing lands in the Western United States. There’ll be no helicopters herding exhausted mustangs into waiting trucks from far above
The 150 ponies of the Chincoteague Island herd are such old hands at being rounded up (they are gathered twice a year for veterinary checkups) that on the Wednesday of the annual four hundred yard Chincoteague Pony Swim from Assateague Island to the Firemen’s Carnival grounds, most of them take the exercise “in stride.”
The Chincoteague Island Pony Swim has been taking place since 1925, when the first was held to raise funds for the Chincoteague Island Fire Department. Two disastrous fires in the preceding five years had destroyed much of Chincoteague Island’s business district, and the Fire Department desperately needed better equipment. They held a Firemen’s Carnival that July, featuring the first Pony Swim and Auction. Fifteen pony foals were sold.
Word of the Pony Swim soon reached Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and by 1947, when Marguerite Henry published her classic children’s book Misty of Chincoteague, the Fire Department had taken ownership of the wild Chincoteague ponies at the southern end of Assateague Island. They assumed responsibility for the ponies’ well-being, and still make sure that only the adults and foals strong enough to manage the Chincoteague Pony Swim are herded across the shallows each year.
One condition which can affect the Chincoteague Island mares with foals is hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia causes mares which are nursing older foals to lose muscular control, and in hot weather the condition is aggravated. It’s easily preventable, and in some years up to twelve mares have been treated for it and made the Chincoteague Island Pony Swim in perfect health.
Before every Pony Swim the herd is examined by a veterinarian so that both mares in the late stages of pregnancy and those with very young foals are trailered to the carnival grounds. The rest of the herd is rounded up by Chincoteague Island’s famous Salt Water Cowboys, who must time their efforts so that the Chincoteague Pony Swim occurs when the tide is lowest.
Occasionally a foal will become separated from its mother during the Chincoteague Pony Swim, but that’s a rare occurrence and any stragglers are picked up by patrolling boats. When the entire herd has made it safely to shore, the Salt Water Cowboys drive them to corrals on the Carnival grounds to be examined once more before the next day’s auction.
The second leg of the Chincoteague Pony Swim occurs on Friday, when the Salt Water Cowboys herd the stallions and mares whose foals were sold back across the channel to their home on Assateague. Mares with foals too young for the auction are kept on Chincoteague until the fall. In October the Salt Water Cowboys return them to Assateague during the fall roundup when the entire herd receives pre-winter veterinary treatment.
The Chincoteague Pony Swim and Pony Penning are at the heart of life on Chincoteague Island, and those small horses carry that weight with remarkable willingness!
About the Author
Sam Serio is an advocate for Chincoteague Island tourism. For more information about this amazing family friendly destination, please visit http://www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com or http://www.chincoteagueoutlook.com. Discover Chincoteague Island!
“I’m In the Business of Misery”—*Ever After* Danielle/Marguerite/Henry
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Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615) c.1572 (oil on panel) by Francois Clouet – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
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Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615) c.1572 (oil.. – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can … |
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Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615) c.1572 (oil.. – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46x70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected…. |
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Misty [VHS] $5.40 This 1961 family film, based on the novel by Marguerite Henry, inspired a generation of children to name their pet dogs, cats, turtles, and so on after the lovely colt of the title. Set on Virginia’s coastal island of Chincoteague, the film begins on “Pony-Penning Day,” an annual celebration that involves rounding up for auction wild ponies on neighboring islands. Two young children, a brother and… |
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