The Chincoteague Island’s World-Famous Pony Swim Is Simply Stunning
Tens of thousands of spectators from around the world gather on Chincoteague Island each year to watch the annual tradition of the World Famous Pony Swim. The swim took place on Wednesday and the week before the "saltwater cowboys" rounded up the approximately 150 adult wild ponies that live on Assateague Island, along with the 60 to 70 foals that were born in the spring.
Watch the following clip to see this gorgeous event in action posted by the TikTok account for @coastalcurr3nts. It's just breathtaking.
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The Ponies swam across the Assateague Channel and came ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. After the swim was completed, the ponies got to rest for about an hour. Then cowboys paraded the ponies down to the carnival grounds where the auction was held Thursday morning.
TikTok users were so enchanted by this amazing clip and @Laurie commented, "It is beautiful to see, from Va. everyone needs to see at least once." @Michelle adds, "That’s so beautiful." @Joy replied, "I loved “ Misty of Chincoteague”. This made me cry but in a sweet childhood way."
Misty Of Chincoteague is a beloved novel that was written by author Marguerite Henry in 1947. The book is about Paul and his sister Maureen who lived on Chincoteague Island with their grandparents. Paul and Maureen helped their grandfather raise and train ponies and they dreamed of owning a pony of their own. The book was later created into a movie in 1961 entitled Misty.
The beautiful ponies have inhabited Assateague Island for hundreds of years. The ponies eat the salt water cord grass that grows in the marshes and they eat almost all day long to get enough nutrition. Because the cord grass contains so much salt the ponies have to drink twice as much water as normal horses.
Chincoteague.com explains, "The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, who owns and manages the herd, maintains the herd size at about 150 adult ponies. The Fire Company controls the size of the herd by auctioning off most of the foals at the annual Pony Auction in July."
This event is a true bucket list dream for every horse lover. It just must be so spectacular to see in person.
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