The Ocracoke ponies have a long and colorful history on the island, documented since the 1730’s. The ponies worked with the islanders, pulling carts and making beach patrols. They played too, roaming free when they weren’t running races or toting Boy Scouts around: in the 50’s the Ocracoke Scouts were the only mounted troop in the nation! Today you can visit the ponies and their new addition in their pen north of the village. We found this great baby news released by the National Park Service over at the Ocracoke Observer.
“The Ocracoke pony herd has a new member.
Hazelnut was born on Feb. 4, at approximately 10 a.m. and becomes the 17th member of the current Ocracoke pony herd. Her mother is Sacajawea, a mare from Shackleford Banks who joined the Ocracoke herd in 2010, and her father is Rayo, a direct descendant of the original Ocracoke ponies.
Hazelnut was named by the Volunteers-In-Park, who work directly with the Ocracoke ponies. Born on a chilly February morning, she will not stray far from her mother’s side for at least six months and will join the rest of the herd sometime in the late summer.”
For more park information regarding the Ocracoke Ponies and how you can participate in the “Adopt-A-Pony” program, see http://www.nps.gov/caha/historyculture/ocracokeponies.htm or call 252-928-5111.
[box type=”bio”] Read this story and more on the Ocracoke Observer![/box]