Chincoteague Island, Virginia's wild pony herd
This is the twin of Assateague island on the Maryland side. Two different islands, two different wild pony herds, as well as two different management strategies. Virginia's herd is owned by the local fire company and since 1920, the firemen have corralled the horses once a year to auction. This involves many spectators and a pony swim. On the Maryland side, the national park service runs things with a laissez-faire attitude. Besides contraceptives, horses are mostly left to their own devices. Mustangs are occasionally brought in to spice up the herd's poor genetics.
