Meet the Corolla Wild Horses that Roam Freely on this Beach in America
There is a herd of wild horses residing in North Carolina, despite the fact that most people identify wild horses in America with the west. A herd of Colonial Spanish Mustang horses who are allowed to wander on the Currituck Outer Banks is known as the Corolla Wild Horses.
The origin of these beautiful wild horses may be traced back to Spanish immigrants. These wild horses have lived on the Outer Banks of Corolla, North Carolina, for hundreds of years.
These American artifacts are now being preserved and protected.
Corolla Wild Horses Information
The Corolla Wild Horses are in fact members of the Colonial Spanish Mustang breed, according to DNA analysis conducted between 1992 and 2007.
They are regrettably a rare breed of horse since they are one of the oldest and rarest strains in the world.
Colonial Spanish Mustangs are tough yet short, at about 12 to 13 hands tall. The Spanish Barb, Arabian, and Andalusian are among the breeds they are said to have mixed with. They only have five lumbar vertebrae, as opposed to the majority of domesticated horse breeds that have six.
They are noted for being simple to train and having attractive, athletic bodies. Even some of the horses have demonstrated a natural gait. They have to endure ferocious winters and stifling summers, therefore they are naturally tough.
Over 100 Corolla Wild Horses still wander the Outer Banks today. Colonial Spanish Mustangs may also be seen abroad, though.
The expansion of the wild horse herd has been constrained because the United States Fish & Wildlife Agency views them as “non-native, feral invading species.”
Fortunately, steps are being taken to change the restrictions in order to increase the herd size and ensure their well-being.
What Foods and Drinks Do Corolla Wild Horses Consume?
The horses’ nutrition is distinct since the Currituck Outer Banks are made up of both beaches and rural areas. They generally consume fresh water, grass, acorns, persimmons, sea oats, and other local plants.
It is completely prohibited to give anything to the wild horses. Giving them different foods may make them ill because they have their own special diets. In fact, you are not even permitted to approach the horses within 50 feet.
The Corolla Wild Horses’ History
The Corolla Wild Horses have a long history that dates back to the 1500s. The Spaniards were coming to America at this time to investigate the new continent.
The Outer Banks were visited by an expedition led by the Spanish Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon in 1521. But, following an Indian rebellion, the Spanish were forced to depart after kidnapping Indigenous children to use as slaves. They went for Florida, leaving their livestock behind.
Spanish ships from Richard Greenville’s voyage capsized at the northern Outer Banks later in the 1580s. The animals on board were compelled to run to the riverbank as the ships sank.
The horses who survived Ayllon’s voyage and the shipwrecks off the coast of Greenville are said to be the ancestors of the Corolla Wild Horses. These resilient horses eventually settled in the isolated region of the Currituck Outer Banks.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund
From 1985 to 1996, 20 horses were killed by vehicles on a stretch of road in Corolla.
After these tragic accidents happened, a group of people stepped forward to protect these beloved wild horses.
To preserve, maintain, and safeguard the herd, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund was established. The horses would be shielded from perilous routes while yet being free to wander, so they worked hard to devise a solution.
To keep the horses safe, the fund transferred them entirely to the northern section of the beach in 1997, where there are no paved roadways.
Now, the horses graze on 7,544 acres of land, of which 2/3 are privately owned and 1/3 are owned by the government. Each horse is identified and placed into a database, and the herd is frequently observed.
Members of the fund react around-the-clock, every day of the year, to make sure the horses are safe and are treated for injuries and diseases.
Get a Corolla Wild Horse as a pet
If any of the horses require major medical care, they are saved and given new lives. The horses can no longer be released back into the wild after rehabilitation.
In the fund’s equestrian center, the healed horses are cared for, and some of them can be adopted out when they’re prepared.
To make sure the horses are prepared for adoption, Corolla Wild Horse Fund members undergo many processes. Anybody interested in adopting a horse must complete a pre-adoption form.
You spend a number of hours with the staff and horse if the fund determines you are a suitable fit. This guarantees that the horses will only be sold to deserving, suitable owners.
Visiting the Corolla Wild Horses
Each year, visitors from all over come to see the beautiful Corolla Wild Horses. Seeing these horses in person is truly a breathtaking and unique experience.
The best time to come see the herd is from spring, specifically from mid-April until the end of May. Horses can typically be spotted in small groups and many times can be seen along the shoreline.
Can You Walk to the Corolla Wild Horses?
You are welcome to go about Corolla to view the wild horses. But, it’s crucial to always show respect for the animals and remain at least 50 feet away.
The beaches and dunes are accessible for walking, although there are some places you are not allowed to go. In most places, four-wheel drive cars are legal to drive, and many people advise doing so to get a better view of the horses.
When tanning on the beach, be cautious of the horses. Horses and people colliding on the beach has caused a number of hazardous situations. Check out the video below:
Wild Horse Tours in Corolla
There are many of fantastic choices if you’d want to take a guided trip to see the horses. Our family-friendly excursions offer a terrific opportunity to visit the horses and a great way to learn about them.
You should make reservations in advance to ensure a space on guided trips like those offered by Corolla Wild Horse Tours because they are quite popular. They provide an enjoyable, secure, and educational approach to see the Outer Banks and its stunning horses.
Check out the Outer Banks Visitors Guide for additional details on the excursions and to discover what options there are for guided tours.
If you want to see more of these horses in the wild, check out the excellent but lengthy movie that two photographers filmed when they were out on a field trip to film and photograph these stunning animals.
