One of the most interesting things in the horse world is getting to know the different traditions all around the globe who have similarities but at the same time their unique cultural marks in the equine world. Every single country has its own traditions when it comes to horses, but what is even more unique are all the traditions and rituals that only happen in small cities or islands, like the one that we are going to introduce through the video below.
These horses aren’t taking a dip in the water just to cool off in the sweltering Virginia summer. They’re the famous Chincoteague ponies of Assateague Island, and they’re herded across the channel to Chincoteague Island every July by “saltwater cowboys.”
Most of the foals are auctioned off the next day to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which owns and manages the herd under a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A few foals designated as “buybacks” are donated to the fire company and returned to Assateague Island to replenish the herd and live in the wild for another year.
The auction also helps maintain the feral horse population at around 150 on the Virginia side of Assateague Island. I have never seen so many horses swim together at the same time. It is absolutely amazing.