97th Annual Pony Swim & Auction: Chincoteague Pony Swim - July 27, 2022

On the last Wednesday before the last Thursday in July, the wild Chincoteague Ponies are herded across the Assateague Channel in order to auction the foals to maintain the herd size at 150 adult ponies. Learn more about Pony Swim at www.chincoteaguechamber.com/pony-penning.

[@chincoteaguechamber]

The ponies actually do swim instinctually and swim in the natural habitat on a normal basis. On the edge of the marsh, there are several tumps of land that they will swim to for fresh grass, to get away from flies or stallions, etc. We have veterinary staff and trained volunteers in boats that guide the ponies across the channel that will lend assistance, if needed. The ponies are beloved by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and the Saltwater Cowboys and the care they receive is of the highest quality. No ponies have ever drowned during the swim.

[@auntiem71]

Ty for the info I was wondering about their safety beautiful animals.

[@bestjuliawest]

Love watching the experienced ponies lead the others from the front and the back. Remarkable beauties 😍 That mare encouraging her foal was so cute!

[@lizbits9339]

I’ve traveled most of the world and this is definitely definitely on my bucket list!

[@ariellewilson730]

I've been to Chincoteague with my twin sister, my mom, and my grandmother. It wasn't during The Pony Swim but it was fun to see the ponies. We even met domesticated ones. I asked them if they know Misty and my mom pretended to have one of them say, "Yeah, she was my great, great, great grandmother."

[@AlexisBraun-zv1pm]

I love Chincoteague Virginia so much. This place is incredible.❤️

[@jedgould5531]

What’s the annoying hull slapping for?

[@txfloods]

That was a much longer swim for the ponies than I imagined. Do all horses know how to swim instinctually, like dogs? Do any of the horses ever drown?

[@ariellewilson730]

Horses and other equines are excellent swimmers.

[@bestjuliawest]

The horse and the hippopotamus are closely related!

[@deborahannfrederick60]

👍🐝🌈

[@AnthonyKanakry]

that was hard to watch. imagine how frightening that must be to be forced to swim with whips cracking all around you and your fellow horses frantically stepping all over you in fear. I felt especially bad for the horses struggling to keep their heads up. couldn't help but think of depictions of slavery I've seen in movies. what a gross tradition this is

[@3piper]

Most of the ponies are used to this happening each year. The adult ones are released in a few days and the ponies just swim back. Horses are very good swimmers

[@3piper]

Look at their ears. If horses were really frightened and scared their ears were be flat against their heads and only a few are. This is done every year ,they know what is going on.

[@rachelwarner2139]

They are vetted the day before the swim. If a foal is not in the best shape, it will not swim, but will trailer over. This swin is necessary for their preservation.

[@jedgould5531]

You may not have all of the information kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKbPnHWZqb6SgK8si=9TuPbJIUpfltmhRh

[@dixieelder3203]

Unkind to the ponies

[@ariellewilson730]

This is something they do every year. Have you ever seen an equine swim? This isn't cruel. Chincoteague, Virginia can only keep one hundred-fifty ponies by auctioning off the foals who are old enough to be weened off their mothers around four to six months. If any of them are too young, they stay with their moms at the fair until they're old enough to go their new homes. You're one of those people who don't want to look up the FAQ about this on their website. It's the law, and it's been like this for years and part of the Chincoteague history.

[@BrittReeves-qh6sv]

They also take this time to check the herd for injuries, give them shots necessary and check their hooves. This is a yearly checkup for them that keeps the herd healthy and strong. This isn't cruel in any way