Wild Thing, Chincoteague’s oldest pony, dies at 25
The oldest pony in Chincoteague’s herd of wild ponies has died at the age of 25, according to a notice from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
The fire company announced the death of Wild Thing on Thursday in a Facebook post, noting he was the longest living stallion in the herd in recent years.
Cowboys in Chincoteague often called him the “Popes Island Stud.” Wild Thing often spent time on his own island, where he would stay for most of the year. The stallion also fathered many foals during his life and was a “constant sight” for visitors of the island, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company added.
“He has crossed the rainbow bridge and joined the big herd in the sky, we are thankful for his service to us and the rest of the herd,” the post reads.
In July, the Chincoteague Pony Swim returned for the first time since the pandemic. The move of the ponies across the Assateague Channel is a 97-year tradition with enthusiastic spectators and featured Wild Thing for over two decades.
While the swim dates back to 1925, it grew exponentially in popularity after the 1947 publication of the children’s book “Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry and the subsequent 1961 movie based on the book.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
