Hailey Johnson
The wild horses of Shackleford Banks have been left to roam free and unmanaged on the islands of North Carolina's Outer Banks for centuries. These horses are believed to have descended from Colonial Spanish horses, specifically those brought over by Columbus in the 1400s. The horses are a unique historic, cultural, natural, and scientific resource. They are protected by the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, which was created to ensure their preservation and protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Shackleford Banks, the southernmost island of the Cape Lookout National Seashore |
| Type of Horses | Wild horses |
| Genetics | Related to other equine inhabitants along the barrier islands of the Eastern U.S. |
| Ancestry | Descended from Colonial Spanish horses; share a similar genetic base with other Banker horses along the East Coast |
| History | Presence documented in historical research; believed to have descended from horses that migrated or were abandoned in the mid-19th century |
| Population | The National Park Service proposed reducing herd size in the mid-1990s, but this was resisted by locals |
| Protection | Protected by the Cape Lookout National Seashore and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, dedicated to maintaining their way of life |
| Access | Accessible only by private boat or official ferry service from Beaufort and Harkers Island |
| Visitor Guidelines | Visitors should maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from the horses and refrain from feeding, touching, or disturbing them |
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What You'll Learn
The Foundation for Shackleford Horses
The Foundation was established by a group of concerned Carteret County citizens in response to a mid-1990s proposal by the National Park Service to reduce the size of the herd. The citizens believed that this would be detrimental to the horses and wanted to preserve something that was intrinsic to the place they called home. As a result, they formed a non-profit organization and worked to enact legislation that would ensure the protection and preservation of these beloved horses.
The Shackleford wild horses are a unique natural, scientific, historic, and cultural resource. They are related to other equine inhabitants along the Eastern United States barrier islands, with whom they share a similar genetic base and a history of adaptation to life on these islands. Historical and genetic research indicates that they descended from an old type of Colonial Spanish horse, as evidenced by the rare genetic marker Q-ac.
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The horses' diet
The Shackleford Banks wild horses, also known as "Banker Ponies", are believed to be descendants of Spanish horses from the 1500s. They have been living on the North Carolina Outer Banks for centuries, undisturbed by human involvement. Their diet has been adapted to the vegetation naturally found on the island.
The horses are feral and shy, typically keeping their distance from humans. They are not accustomed to human food, and visitors are advised not to feed them as it can be harmful to their health and is against the law. The horses are known to forage for food, maintaining their way of life with minimal human intervention.
The Shackleford horses are smaller in size, typically weighing between 800 and 1000 pounds and standing about 13-14 hands. They have deep chests, strong bones, and broad foreheads, with colours ranging from brown, bay, or chestnut. Their manes are often shaggy and brown or blonde, growing wild and natural.
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The horses' history
The wild horses of Shackleford Banks have been roaming freely on the barrier island for centuries. They are a unique historic and cultural legacy, as well as a natural and scientific resource. The horses are believed to be descended from an old type of Colonial Spanish horse, specifically Spanish Mustangs that survived a shipwreck. This is based on both historical research and genetics testing, which has identified the blood variant Q-ac, believed to be contributed by Spanish horses. This genetic marker has only been found in the descendants of those Spanish horses, making the Shackleford Banks horses an important and rare equine population.
The horses are closely monitored and studied by the National Park Service, providing a glimpse into how horses lived in the wild before domestication. They are also of great interest to the scientific community, with experts in equine behaviour studying and documenting the social behaviour of these wild horses for decades.
The horses have enjoyed the protections afforded by Cape Lookout National Seashore, in cooperation with the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, dedicated to maintaining their way of life. Access to the island is by boat only, and visitors can take a ferry from Beaufort, Harkers Island, or Morehead City.
The presence of wild horses along the Outer Banks is well-documented in historical research and oral histories. The horses have been a part of the landscape for centuries, with records showing horses living on the North Carolina Outer Banks for generations. The Banker horses, found along the east coast, are related and share a similar genetic base and history of adaptation to life on coastal barrier islands.
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How to visit the horses
The wild horses of Shackleford Banks are believed to be descended from horses brought over 400 years ago and are one of the last isolated groups of wild horses in the United States. They are a unique historic and cultural legacy and a natural and scientific resource.
To visit these wild horses, you will need to take a ferry to Shackleford Banks, which is accessible only by boat. The ferry ride is approximately 25 minutes long and departs from Harkers Island, Beaufort, and Morehead City in North Carolina. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to the departure time to allow for parking and check-in with your tour guide.
Once you arrive at Shackleford Banks, you will be able to track and view the wild horses on a guided walking tour. These tours are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who can provide insights into the behaviour of horses in the wild. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to collect shells along the beaches of Shackleford Banks.
It is important to note that pets are allowed on the island but must be restrained on a leash. Additionally, feeding, touching, teasing, or intentionally disturbing the wild horses is against the law and can result in prosecution.
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How to behave around the horses
The wild horses of Shackleford Banks have been an integral part of the region's history and culture for centuries. These majestic creatures have enjoyed a life of freedom, roaming the pristine beaches and barrier islands of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. Visitors are welcome to observe and admire these horses, but it is crucial to behave appropriately around them to ensure everyone's safety and well-being. Here are some essential guidelines on how to behave when in the presence of the Shackleford Banks horses:
- Maintain a Safe Distance: Always keep a distance of at least 50 feet (approximately the length of a school bus) between yourself and the horses. This is important for your safety and for theirs. Getting too close can startle or agitate the horses, and they may react unpredictably.
- Respect Their Space: Do not approach, touch, feed, or tease the horses. These are wild animals, and human interaction can disrupt their natural behaviour and ecosystem. Feeding them human food scraps can be harmful to their health. Remember, it is against the law to intentionally disturb or harass wildlife, and you may face legal consequences.
- Restrain Your Pets: If you have a pet with you, keep them on a leash at all times. Unleashed pets can endanger themselves and others, as horses can hurt or even kill them. Additionally, pets may disturb the horses and impact their natural behaviour.
- Use Appropriate Photography Equipment: If you wish to photograph the horses, invest in a good camera with a zoom lens. This will allow you to capture memorable images without having to get too close and potentially disturb the horses.
- Appreciate Their Beauty from a Distance: Remember, these horses have been living wild and free for generations. Respect their natural way of life and admire them from a distance. Imagine the stories they could tell of their centuries-long presence on Shackleford Banks!
- Educate Others: Share your knowledge and understanding of the Shackleford Banks horses with others. By spreading awareness of their history, significance, and the importance of respecting their space, you can help ensure that these wild herds continue to thrive and captivate future generations.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your encounter with the Shackleford Banks horses is safe and enjoyable for both you and the horses. Remember, these guidelines are in place to protect both visitors and the horses, preserving the natural balance and beauty of this unique habitat.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Shackleford Banks horses are cared for by the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, dedicated to maintaining the animals' way of life. The horses are a unique historic and cultural legacy, as well as a natural and scientific resource.
The Foundation for Shackleford Horses works to ensure the preservation and protection of the horses. They suggest keeping a safe distance of at least 50 feet from the horses and using a camera with at least 200x zoom for photography. Visitors are also advised not to feed or disturb the horses, as it is against the law and can be dangerous.
The Foundation for Shackleford Horses was founded by a group of concerned Carteret County citizens who worked for the enactment of legislation to ensure the protection and preservation of the horses.
