Chincoteague Ponies in the Snow

Chincoteague Ponies in the Snow

I have been sitting and staring out of my window with a nice hot cup of tea. The tea that I drink is of my own concoction and consists of both Black and Green teas. The music in the background is a Brahms Piano Trio and it is serving as the perfect obbligato to my astonished state as I witness yet another blizzard here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

This is truly a remarkable and totally unprecedented series of weather events and of course they carry inevitable repercussions. Like for instance, my son has had only two half-days of school in the past week and a half. Soccer games and practices have been cancelled for the same period and even his piano lesson is in jeopardy today. This particular storm seems angrier with its ferocious winds and blinding blankets of fluffy snow. It’s good to be inside.

My son and I have done a lot of bonding during this period, since my work is primarily done at home by phone and computer. My current main project is the Chincoteague Daffodil Festival on April 10th & 11th at the Chincoteague Community Center. This is the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s only Flower, Home, Garden and Spring Craft Event. If you want to learn more and check out the video my friend Larry Warwick shot of last years event, please visit http://www.ChincoteagueDaffodilFestival.com.

Now, I keep pretty busy with that work but with my son and I snowed-in all these days we have done a lot of reading together in the same room, watched numerous episodes of his favorite cartoon Phineas and Ferb and he plays his piano or Nintendo DSI while I obsess on the various political opinion shows that are a part of my TV diet. We also suit up and take long treks through our private woods with the dogs and pick up and drag branches and tree limbs to the burn pile. I know we will both cherish these memories as the years go by. The snow will get deeper and blow even more ferociously in our minds eye, but the thoughts will grow all the more precious as well.

Speaking of treasured memories, I have often remarked that every family should witness the Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim at least once in their lives. The Pony Swim will forge an unforgettable memory and a lasting bond between everyone who shares in that experience.

Well. Now I would like to add another Chincoteague Pony experience to that list. Everyone should see the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Chincoteague Ponies in the Snow at least once as well. The marshes take on a very mysterious, even eerie patina in a snow storm and the Chincoteague ponies exude a nobility and stoic elegance that is achingly beautiful. Scharlene Leonard of the Island Butterfly has captured such a scene in one of her photographs. I am sure that she will be very happy to show it to you when you visit her eclectic shop on Main St. She and her daughter Carla are must see Main St. Merchants.

This weekend would be a great time to visit the Island Butterfly or any of the Main St. Merchants during the Death by Chocolate Event. Don’t miss it !
Now, back to my tea and daydreams,
Until the next time from the Chincoteague Insider,
Enjoy the moment…

Chincoteague and Assateague Ponies Rock

Chincoteague and Assateague Ponies Rock

Chincoteague (pronounced chin-kuh-teeg) ponies come from an island off the coast of Virginia. According to legend, long ago a Spanish galleon got shipwrecked during a storm off the coast of Assateague Island. The ponies escaped and swam ashore. The truth isn't half as interesting. Colonists living in Virginia probably turned horses loose on the island. It doesn't matter how they got on the island, really. Today they are a wonderful American pony breed. They are well-known for flashy colors, lots of personality and intelligence.

The ponies on Assateague Island are actually divided into two different herds. The Virginia herd is in the south. These are the ponies known as Chincoteague ponies. The northern herd are called Assateague ponies. They are taken care of by the National Park Service.

Every year on the last Monday in July, the Saltwater Cowboys round up all the wild ponies. On Wednesday, the ponies swim across the channel for Pony Penning Day. Hundreds of people line the shores to watch the ponies swim. It takes them five to ten minutes to swim across. It is amazing that even the small foals can make the swim safely!

The wet ponies are then paraded to the carnival grounds. The ponies rest and those who will be in the auction the next day are tagged.

At the auction on Thursday, the foals are sold to people who have come from all over the country. The money raised from the auction helps the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. While it may seem sad to sell the foals, it keeps the herd on Assateague to around 150 ponies. This is an amount the island can support in good health. The foals that are sold get to go to loving homes with the lucky people who bought them.

On Friday, the older ponies are returned to Assateague for another year. The wild ponies are checked twice a year to see if they are healthy. They have their hooves trimmed, they get shots to prevent contagious diseases and they get wormed.

Pony Penning Day used to be the only place you could get a Chincoteague pony. Now there are small herds of these rare ponies being raised in other parts of the country. Now it's easier for those of us who are crazy about Chincoteague ponies to get one of our own!

Chincoteague ponies are on the large side for a pony. They can range from 12 hands to 13 hands high. A full grown pony can easily carry a person up to 150 pounds.

The most famous Chincoteague pony was Misty. She was made famous by the book "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry. The book was written in 1947, and remains a favorite of children everywhere. Like almost every other girl who read Misty's story, I've always wanted to go to Pony Penning Day to get a pony.

Misty even had a movie made about her in 1961. She toured schools around the world for awhile. Misty then retired back to Chincoteague to have babies of her own. Misty died on October 16, 1972. If you're lucky enough to visit Chincoteague, you can see her hoof prints in the cement in downtown Chincoteague. She has a statue honoring her as Chincoteague's most famous pony, too.

Chincoteague ponies have their own registry now, like other horse breeds. It began in 1994. It is known as the [http://www.pony-chincoteague.com/]Chincoteague Pony Association. Since Chincoteague ponies were bred by natural selection, there is quite a range of characteristics. Some ponies look more like Arabians, while others look like small Mustangs. Their heads should be expressive, with a wide forehead. Their eyes should be large and soft. Their nose should be short, and can be either dished or straight. It should end in a firm, tapered muzzle. They weigh about 750 pounds and you can find them in almost any color. Pintos are very common.

The Chincoteague ponies are smart. They do well in horse shows. They learn quickly and are fun to ride. They can be a wonderful breed to add to your stable.

Sydney Rose is a nine-year old girl who is crazy about ponies and horses. Together with her mom, she has created [http://www.HorseCrazyGirls.com]http://www.HorseCrazyGirls.com, a fun and safe place for girls to find online horse games and printables, learn about their favorite horse breeds discuss their favorite horse books and lots more. She is hoping to get a pony or horse for her tenth birthday.