This makes me cry… i forgot how the foals sounded as they cried for their moms, how beautiful it was. i go every year but still i forget just how wonderful it is. i miss chincoteague.
Was there this year, but we didn't head out for that swim. We went to the auction and the swim back, which was a lot less crowded. And I was able to get close to Riptide, something that most of the other ponies couldn't do.
We have charter boats and kayak tours/rentals that will take you to the swim, but we also have boat rentals. You can learn more at www.chincoteaguechamber.com or call our office!
The Chincoteague Ponies leave the South Herd Corral on Wednesday morning, walk through marsh to the point visible from Tom's Cove Park campground and Veteran's Memorial Park. They then swim across the channel and come ashore on Chincoteague at Pony Swim Lane.
I wonder if anyone is keeping track of pedigrees, gelding and retiring males, and what new males come join the herd or inbreeding would result in genetic defects. Beautiful little ponies with quite the history.
Absolutely! The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has some wonderful ambassadors that keep watch over the herds, keep track of bloodlines, etc. to help the fire company make decisions on which ponies should be buybacks, if mares or stallions should be moved into another herd, etc.
Not sure about the actual depth but the ponies are able to walk a ways out before they start to swim. This is not the only time the ponies swim. They quite often can be seen swimming to small tumps of land off the shore to enjoy fresh marsh grass.
It's tradition. It was the way they brought the ponies to Chincoteague to sell the foals before the bridge between the islands was built. This was the 98th year. It should be said that the ponies are natural swimmers anyway, growing up on the island and swimming from marsh to marsh.
A swim like this is nothing to these island ponies. The pony swim brings tourists from all over and they put money into that little town. The last thing anyone would do is mistreat these ponies
@@3piper People know the pones by name. They know their personalities, their temperment, and even island gossip about their naughty behavior. Riptide was the talk of the entire island this year,
This is the. Most beautiful thing I have ever seen 😍 such gentle majestic creatures
When I was a kid a long time ago, lol, we went every year for this, it was awesome.
This makes me cry… i forgot how the foals sounded as they cried for their moms, how beautiful it was. i go every year but still i forget just how wonderful it is. i miss chincoteague.
Love watching the ponies swim
I seen the pony swim 4yrs ago
These views were great. Thank you so much!
I vacationed there during the pony swim. It was an amazing experience 😊😊❤❤
We were there in 2023! It was the BEST place to be!!!
Love the ponies.
Thanks for sharing
Was there this year, but we didn't head out for that swim. We went to the auction and the swim back, which was a lot less crowded. And I was able to get close to Riptide, something that most of the other ponies couldn't do.
I love Riptide's herd!! There is a new colt and 2 fillies' in the herd!
I watched the livestream at work. I can’t be to contain myself from not clapping when they sent the ponies in lol
Are there boat rentals ?? Planning a trip in the next two years for this as a birthday present for my mom, who is a horse lover and a misty fan
We have charter boats and kayak tours/rentals that will take you to the swim, but we also have boat rentals. You can learn more at www.chincoteaguechamber.com or call our office!
Left the area 2 days early!!! Sorry we missed this!!!
I have never seen them
Where does it start on the island?
The Chincoteague Ponies leave the South Herd Corral on Wednesday morning, walk through marsh to the point visible from Tom's Cove Park campground and Veteran's Memorial Park. They then swim across the channel and come ashore on Chincoteague at Pony Swim Lane.
I wonder if anyone is keeping track of pedigrees, gelding and retiring males, and what new males come join the herd or inbreeding would result in genetic defects. Beautiful little ponies with quite the history.
Absolutely! The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has some wonderful ambassadors that keep watch over the herds, keep track of bloodlines, etc. to help the fire company make decisions on which ponies should be buybacks, if mares or stallions should be moved into another herd, etc.
How deep is the water? I hope none of them got hurt.
Not sure about the actual depth but the ponies are able to walk a ways out before they start to swim. This is not the only time the ponies swim. They quite often can be seen swimming to small tumps of land off the shore to enjoy fresh marsh grass.
They are Island ponies and are pretty good swimmers.
@@chincoteaguechamber You may know. I saw Bech Boy in the crowd during the swim back, but didn't see Riptide, Did he get trailered again?
@@vapoet Riptide did swim back!!
@@vapoet Riptide did swim back on Friday!
They use to put them on barges
The Saltwater Cowboys are barged over and any ponies that are not able to swim but the rest of the herd will swim.
But... why? :D
Granted, it's cute to see ponies swim. But why? :D
It's tradition. It was the way they brought the ponies to Chincoteague to sell the foals before the bridge between the islands was built. This was the 98th year. It should be said that the ponies are natural swimmers anyway, growing up on the island and swimming from marsh to marsh.
Our first trip to Pony Swim.
Amazing!! We were on one of the boats.
@@rachelwarner2139 How far in advance did you need to make reservations?
I booked accommodations a year in advance. I’ve already booked for 2024.
@@rachelwarner2139 I figured as much.
Could birth defects be a reason caused by inbreeding?
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company follows the lineage of the ponies and moves mares between herds to prevent this.
Lodging for 7/24
Sorry but this is cruel
This is not odd behavior for island ponies. When they get to the other side, they get to eat VERY well and the auction maintains a healthy herd.
You know nothing about the pony swim. Also, don't you know that they can only keep 150 ponies?
A swim like this is nothing to these island ponies. The pony swim brings tourists from all over and they put money into that little town. The last thing anyone would do is mistreat these ponies
@@ariellewilson730 Well. 300 total, 150 in Virginia and 150 in Maryland.
@@3piper People know the pones by name. They know their personalities, their temperment, and even island gossip about their naughty behavior. Riptide was the talk of the entire island this year,