Evidence strongly suggests that the ponies of Assateague Island are descendants of the survivors of a Spanish Galleon that wrecked off the coast of the island. Before modern navigation methods, ships would often get off track during storms or heavy fog, and would crash on sandbars along the coast. A large number of shipwrecks, combined with it being very common for wooden ships to transport ponies to the Colonies or South America, makes it very likely that this story of the origin of the wild ponies is true.
By the 1700s, Penning was an annual event. It began as a way for livestock owners to claim, brand, and break the loose herds. The event soon turned into a custom that was complete with drinking, food, and lots of partying. The earliest description of the by-then “ancient” custom of Pony Penning was published in 1835. Penning continued on both Chincoteague and Assateague for years. By 1885 they were held on Assateague one day and then on Chincoteague the next. As word of the event spread, hotels and boarding houses would be booked solid for the festivities. By 1914 another annual event, “Sheep Penning” was discontinued because of the overwhelming popularity of the Pony Penning.
In 1925, after a string of disastrous fires, the town realized their Fire Company was inadequately supplied. The town authorized the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to hold a carnival during Pony Penning as a fund-raiser. Over 15 colts were sold that year to benefit the Fire Company, and the carnival was an overwhelming success. By 1937 the Penning drew an estimated crowd of 25,000, and the Fire Company was able to modernize their equipment and facilities. In 1947, the Company began building its own herd by purchasing from local owners. They moved the herd to Assateague where the government allowed publicly-owned herds to graze on the new Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. That same year, Marguerite Henry published Misty Of Chincoteague, a book that made Pony Penning internationally famous and is still enjoyed by new generations to this day.
Pony Penning is still held annually in July during the Volunteer Fireman’s Carvival. “Salt Water Cowboys” herd the horses across the Assateague Channel at low tide and the horses are then given a vet examination. After a rest, the ponies are herded through the town to a corral at the carnival grounds, and the auction takes place the next day. The Pony Auction provides revenue for the Fire Company, while also trimming the herd’s numbers down to the number allowed by the grazing permit.
Assateague Island is a harsh environment for the ponies and their diet is limited. They have adapted to the diet over hundreds of years. Chincoteague Ponies average between 12 and 13 hands in height. They are stocky, have short legs and thick manes.
I read Misty Of Chincoteague countless times as a child, and two of the three Breyer horses I ever owned when I was younger were Misty and her foal, Stormy. I still have these Breyer horses, in fact, and they are displayed on a shelf in my office! I have always wanted to go to Pony Penning, but despite growing up in Maryland I have never been to Chincoteague. I hope to be able to go one day. The Chincoteague Pony piece in the Horses of the World series was definitely inspired by my love of Misty Of Chincoteague and my fascination with the horses that were shipwrecked, adapted, and then became famous all over the world.
Research for this blog post came from Chincoteague.com
