Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim Takes Place

The 90th annual pony swim at Chincoteague Island took place on Wednesday.

Over the weekend the “Saltwater Cowboys” rounded up the approximately 150 adult wild ponies that live on Assateague Island, and the 60-70 foals that were born in the spring. On Wednesday the ponies swam from Assateague to Chincoteague Island.

The swim takes place at “slack tide.” After the swim the ponies rest for around 45 minutes before the Saltwater Cowboys guide them down Main Street, to the carnival grounds.

The pony swim is held each year to move the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island so that the foals can be auctioned the following day.

More