The Outer Banks, and recently exclusively only Corolla, ishome to one of the last populations of the Colonial Spanish Mustang. They are arobust, though critically endangered, breed. Their beauty has inspired many,and history lives on through these horses. Arriving on ships with the Spaniardsbefore the United States was even a nation, they still stand on the same beachesgenerations later. Stalky in stature, they have certainly adapted to life on asandbar.

In the 1920s it was estimated that the population wasroughly 5,000-6,000 horses in size.  Today the population stands around 100. Foalingseason, in the spring-late summer, is an exciting time for potential herdgrowth, as we see foals born on our beaches.

Their roundness and plump stomachs are due to the salty nature of their environment and diet. It causes water retention and bloating of their big ole bellies. Being isolated on this barrier island, exposed only to what is indigenous in the area, their digestive tract is specialized to only digest what naturally grows here. Beach grasses, persimmons, and sea oats, to name a few, have sustained and nourished them for years.

With that being said, this is why it is so important to never feed a wild horse apples, carrots, or whatever you might feed your domesticated horse. They are not adapted to a regular horse's diet. These items are indigestible and thus, fatal. Sometimes people will pick grass and feed them. This is also dangerous to the horses (and humans) because they will become dependent upon humans for food, and will become habituated to human interaction -- resulting in their removal from the beach. In an effort to keep the horses wild, and unhabituated, law mandates a minimum of a 50-foot distance from the horses at all times.

They have no natural predators. Their biggest threat has always been humans and development. The more we treat them like the critically endangered wild animals that they are, and respect their habitat, the more likely theyll be on our beaches for future generations to enjoy!

Keeping Wild Horses Safe:

We love our wild mustangs and take any opportunity we can toeducate the population on their endangerment, and steps we can take to protectthem. Lets keep them wild, free and happily on the beach!

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Turtles

Where to start with our shelled friends? We have so many! Theres an amazing variety of terrapin on the OBX. Five different types of sea turtles nest upon our beaches, including: Loggerhead, Kemps Ridley, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green Turtles.