Today was the 100th annual pony swim which is done by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The swim started very early this morning during slack tide.
Today the ponies will rest and tomorrow there will be an auction. One such pony will be a 'buy back' and return back to Assateague to remain in the herd. But some lucky people will also buy a pony to take home. Those funds help with the cost of taking care of the herd, vet bills, and the Chincoteague Fire Department. You read more about the event HERE.
This annual event also inspired the book "Misty of Chincoteague". As a kid who loved horses it was one of the several horse books I read. If you are not familiar with the book and would like to purchase one for a child you can read more about the story HERE. It will also tell you the history of how the horses made their way onto Assateague Island, MD and Chincoteague, VA beaches. FYI, the horses are regularly checked by vets all year on the islands. When camping on Assateague they would often walk among those of us on the island and have even had one horse TRY to steal food from us. A few years ago I did a brief blog post about pony penning and you can see old photos of a couple ponies, my departed husband Gary and me HERE. There are many more horse photos in my album but am too lazy to receive it.
Now I'm getting inspired to hook another horse rug. But must get back to the snowman.
Saundra
.png)
What a fun post Saundra! I was not aware of this swim - or this history. 100 years...wowza. I remember reading your post several years back with your camping adventures with Gary and the horses on the beach, but guess I didn't put it all together until now. It somewhat reminds me of the horses on Cumberland Island...except those horses are feral... No vet care, no feeding program, etc. Cumberland has always fascinated me and I've always wanted to visit... How the Carnegies could just leave those beautiful properties behind is mind-boggling to me. I get the cost of upkeep, etc. but still incredible. Lends credence to the saying that nothing lasts forever. Hoping you're thinking of hooking the horse rug you recently showed us that I liked so much!
ReplyDeleteI still remember reading that book at least a hundred times as a kid. I was enchanted by it. Loved this post of yours
ReplyDeleteI still have my Misty book. Did not realize the swim was 100 years old though. One day would like to see these horses myself in person. Janice
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in Falls Church, VA, I'm very familiar with the swim. As littles, my sisters and I always wanted to go and have a pony for our own. I read your other blog post. Great memories. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have read about this before it is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteCathy
That is amazing ! I will check out that book for my grand daughters might enjoy it !
ReplyDeleteFun! Interesting.
ReplyDeleteOops! That be Lauren 🤣
Delete