Where did the horses on the Outer Banks come from?

The Outer Banks, barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, are home to some unlikely animals. Horses descended from Spanish mustangs have been living wild here for hundreds of years. To survive on these islands, the horses dig for freshwater and swim from island to island in search of fresh grazing areas.

Where are the wild horses in the Outer Banks?

The Corolla Wild Horses are located in the northernmost beaches of the Outer Banks, in the 4WD area that’s just north of Corolla. Wild horses, also known as Wild Ponies, are also found on Ocracoke Island, and can be viewed at the Ocracoke Pony Pen just south of the Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry docks.

How did the horses get to Corolla North Carolina?

They Are Descendants of Spanish War Horses They brought horses with them via boat. One of these boats started to sink, and the extra cargo was jettisoned to lighten the load. The ‘extra cargo’ in this case, were the horses. The horses came to shore and started their own herd.

Where did the wild horses in Corolla NC come from?

The wild horses were originally brought here in the 1500s on Spanish ships. The shallow nature of the coast off of Corolla and the unpredictable sandbars have caused the area to be known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, and caused many a shipwreck.

Where can you find wild horses in Outer Banks?

The Corolla Wild Horses are located in the northernmost beaches of the Outer Banks, in the 4WD area that’s just north of Corolla. Wild horses, also known as Wild Ponies, are also found on Ocracoke Island, and can be viewed at the Ocracoke Pony Pen just south of the Hatteras / Ocracoke ferry docks.

How many wild horses are there in the Outer Banks?

Research conducted by National Geographic states that as many as 6,000 wild horses resided on the Outer Banks as recently as 1926. Today, however, the number of horses in the herd is only around 110.

Where are the horses in the Outer Banks?

The Outer Banks wild horses roam freely in Corolla and most are going to be found in the 4-wheel drive areas of the beach. While it is illegal to come within 50 feet of the horses, you can still admire their beauty from a safe distance.

What are wild horses in Outer Banks?

About the Corolla Wild Horses. The wild horses in the Outer Banks today are descendant from horses brought over in the 1500s by Spanish explorers. Since then, the population has seen it’s ups and downs as habitats have changed and communities have taken over the Outer Banks.