See the Wild Horses of the Outer Banks
You probably have already heard of the famous wild horses that roam North Carolina's Outer Banks. They are located in the most Northern part of the Outer Banks named, Carova. Carova has no paved roads. You need to have a vehicle with four-wheel drive to get up there. The speed limit is 25mph. Make sure to drive cautiously, especially if a horse is nearby. You can take a tour to see them, or maybe you will get lucky to see one while you're up there, but don't get within 50 feet of the horses or feed them. They are protected by law.
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How did the horses get to the Outer Banks?
Commonly called, Banker Horses are presumed to have descended from Spanish horses. They are a small breed of feral horse. They are very much wild and don't have the same behavior as domesticated horses. It is possible that they arrived on the Outer Banks in the 16th century after surviving shipwrecks or being abandoned on the island by one of the exploratory expeditions (for hidden treasure) led by Lucas Vazquez de Ayllion or Sir Richard Grenville. It's kind of a mystery!
What do the wild horses eat?
According to the Corolla Wind Horse Fund, they eat marsh grass, which is what is prevalent in the area, along with other natural plants. It is illegal to feed them anything. Apples, carrots, or any food cannot be found in their natural habit, so it can make them sick. They can actually die from eating these foods, so be careful to not leave any food on the beach when you leave.
Follow the Herd
You can keep up with the horses and learn more about how they are kept safe when new foals are born, and how you can even help protect them by following their Facebook page.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund
Learn More About The Corolla Wild Horse Fund
You can Learn More & Donate to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Here