A couple of weeks ago I went with the Foxy Hags, Robin, Chickie, and Lori, on a trip to the Virginia seaside. Kynley, Robin’s granddaughter, also joined us. Doris, the fifth beautiful Lady of the Foxy Hags was not able to travel with us.

We chose Chincoteague Island, Virginia. The locals taught me the correct pronunciation is Shink-uh-teeg, and comes from a Native American language meaning ‘beautiful land across the water’. This small island is famous for herding the wild ponies from Assateague Island, (As-uh-teeg), which means “swiftly moving water”, across the ocean to Chincoteague. Every year at the end of July the local “cowboys” herd the ponies through the waters at low tide to the Island. This is also known locally as “slack tide” as the younger foals need the lower levels of water to safely cross.

All five of us rented kayaks and paddled through the marsh lands to where the waters met the ocean. It was beautiful! Lots of tall, green reeds greeted us as we navigated our kayaks. We paddled approximately 3/4 of a mile till we reached the Atlantic coastline. Here there were lots of boats anchored down and waiting for the ponies. People also lined the shore. This event is big and well known. Hundreds of people had shown up along the ocean side this morning. We remained in our kayaks the whole time, paddling back and forth as the current moved us constantly through the waters. An anchor would have been nice!

Finally around ten AM we heard shouts of “Here they come!”. We could see the ponies being herded by the cowboys several yards away. All the ponies and their foals swam through the water and onto the land. Here they rested almost an hour, then they were paraded down the main streets of the Island to where fenced in paddocks waited for them to keep them safe.

We had to kayak back of course. I really enjoy kayaking. I had forgotten how much arm strength one uses to paddle. But it was worth the exertion to be out in the marshes, amid the green reeds, watching the blue sky and the birds in flight. Mother Nature never disappoints with her beauty. It was certainly much different than what I am used to in Louisville, Ky!

The Foxy Hags visited the paddocks to view the ponies and the foals. Robin and I stood next to the fence watching some of the baby ponies awaken from a long nap after that morning swim. They were all adorable! We talked to a local woman who explained to us Chincoteague Island has this tradition of herding the small horses every year from Assateague for several reasons. Each year the foals are auctioned in order to thin the herd, which helps keep them healthy. The ponies are all checked over by local veterinarians. Only the foals that are four months and older are weaned from the mares. If you purchase a foal that is younger you must come back in November and then you are allowed to transport that foal to your farm. This year the auction tallied to a total of $640,000.00. The monies are used to pay vet expenses, care for the ponies, and also support the local Chincoteague Fire Department.

We also learned the ponies that are located on the state of Maryland side of Assateague Island are not annually herded from their Island home. The Assateague Island National Seashore Park has a public beach and we all drove over one afternoon for some beach time. And there they were! Wild ponies walking the beach, standing on the shoreline with people all around. The beach was crowded, the waves intense, and surfers were everywhere! But the ponies were the show. No one is allowed to walk up to them of course, but I mentally thanked them for sharing their island with us. The simplicity of the island, the wildness, nature with no buildings for people, it was really such a delight!

The jury is still out for me on which tradition I prefer for the wild ponies; leave them alone or herd them across and back to their home one time a year. I’m not sure. I need to research more.

It was a wonderful vacation. Kynley (that beautiful Girl is so excited about obtaining her driver’s license!) celebrated her sixteenth birthday while we visited Virginia and Maryland, and hung out with wild ponies. And I am certain it is one she will never forget!

WIth Love, Joan