Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 day ago

The Wild Horse Management Plan, a cooperative agreement signed between CWHF, Currituck County, the state of North Carolina, and US Fish and Wildlife Service, contains specific action items regarding the establishment of an ancestry as well as on-going research into the genetic makeup of the Corolla herd. Over the last two decades DNA samples were taken when feasible, but resources and technology never allowed for a wide-scale study of the entire herd. However, in recent years as the horses face mounting threats due to encroachment, environmental changes caused by climate change, and a decreased herd size, the role that breed conservation plays in their survival has become increasingly important.

In 2020 we embarked on an ambitious project to collect DNA from every Corolla Banker - wild and domestic, and we started with the Dews Island horses.

Dews Island, located in the Currituck Sound, was a sanctuary for a group of horses that were removed from Corolla in the late 1990s after the fence was installed. These horses learned how to get around the fence and continued to frequent the residential neighborhoods of Corolla, and were known for raiding the vegetable stand and even using the automatic doors to go into Food Lion. Their antics made them famous and stories about them were published regularly in the local papers. In 1999, it was decided that the group needed to be relocated for their safety and the safety of everyone who came in contact with them. They were rounded up and moved to the island, where they lived for nearly 20 years. In 2017, CWHF was asked to relocate the remaining eight mares from the island (the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2008 leaving behind several of the original horses from Corolla and some offspring that were born on Dews Island).

As we started getting their DNA reports back from the lab it became clear that one mare, who we had named Moxie, was the matriarch of that particular line. We started digging into old records and newspapers, and reached out to people who helped manage the herd back then to find out more about her. We eventually learned her original name was Chaos so we dubbed this foundation family the Chaos Line. Moxie is still well-represented in the wild herd and has many relatives living in captivity now too. She was sister to Luna, Buttercup, Bella (aka Utter Chaos), Little Star, and Secotan. She was an aunt to Rita, and Dudley is her brother. Her son Arrow also lives on the farm now.

Moxie’s grandfather was Star, the stallion who was tragically hit and killed on the paved road in the early 90s and whose death was the catalyst for the creation of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

We lost Moxie to old age in June, but her death wasn’t the end of her story. She lives on in her legacy, in her relatives, and in everything she taught us, and none of that would have been possible without her DNA.

As of today, we have collected samples from around 150 horses and counting. From this we can build ancestries, learn more about herd dynamics, movement, and breeding behavior, test for all kinds of genetic conditions from diseases to unique color patterns, and build a breed database that will help other managers far into the future. We can identify areas of the habitat with less diverse genetic representation and target those areas for future introductions of Shackleford horses. We can identify mares who are already well-represented and use non-hormonal contraceptives to prevent them from oversaturating the population. The additional data has revealed that there is more than one maternal line represented in the Corolla herd, and we have not found any evidence of problematic levels of inbreeding.

All of this research will allow us to make responsible decisions about breed management and population control that will lead to a healthier herd overall, and it can be done in a way that is minimally invasive and does not greatly interfere with the horses’ natural lives. And in the end we hope that what we’re learning here will help others who are managing wild horses or working to preserve other rare breeds.

DNA research has shown that the Banker horses living on the coast of North Carolina are the last remaining population of this breed that still exists in its original state, having not been excessively crossed with any other types of horses. The work we’re doing with DNA not only gives us a better understanding of the genetic health and makeup of the herd, but when combined with primary historical accounts could also help researchers pinpoint the exact origins of the breed.

The DNA is helping us tell the whole story.

The science and the reconstruction of the history is ever-evolving, but one thing is for sure - the Banker horses are unlike any other breed in the world, and the conservation of these special genetics is a critical part of their long-term survival.

Your support is what makes this groundbreaking work possible, and from now until the end of the year your donation will have double the impact thanks to a $40k match. Get involved today: www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 days ago

The Banker horses are seasonal grazers and utilize different parts of their habitat at different times of the year, based on what’s growing at the time. They are thrifty keepers and can survive on very few calories. We do not provide any supplemental feed to the wild horses - there is plenty of natural forage to get them through the winter and they know exactly where to find it!

Photos taken today.

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

6 days ago

There is something for everyone at the CWHF Gift Shop, both in-person and online! The best part? All proceeds from your purchases help us keep the horses in the wild free, the rescued horses on the farm well cared for, and our efforts to preserve the Bankers’ habitat ongoing.

Our small staff has been busy getting out your online orders for the holidays, running our 2024 Year-End Campaign, and carrying out our day-to-day work - and all of it is thanks to you!

Shop online at www.corollawildhorses.com/shop/. 🐴🎄

Or visit us at 1130-E Corolla Village Rd in Corolla, Monday - Friday from 11am-3pm. ✨ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

We are on call for emergencies involving the wild horses 24/7, 365. It’s impossible to predict when the phone will ring or what it will be about, but the majority of the calls we get aren’t immediate emergencies. Often people are reporting injuries we’re already aware of and monitoring (but we still encourage you to always call if you see something concerning - better safe than sorry), or it’s an issue for law enforcement to handle, like people getting too close to the horses. But when the phone rings in the middle of the night we know before even answering that something very bad has happened. These are never “thanks, we’ll keep an eye on it” calls.

This was the case late on the night of July 26, when 10-year-old stallion Bullwinkle was struck and ultimately killed by someone driving a UTV on the beach. The incident was witnessed by a visitor who was surf fishing with his son and who thankfully called 911 to report it. The driver was arrested for leaving the scene, but that didn’t fix Bullwinkle’s two broken legs or internal bleeding. The damage was already done, regardless of the consequences the driver faced as a result of his actions. A young, healthy, well-bred stallion was gone from the critically endangered herd forever.

As far as we know Bullwinkle never had a chance to sire any foals. He was in the prime of his life and was well known for his strong drive to breed. He was constantly challenging other stallions and fighting for mares. In fact, the day before he was killed we posted a video of him trying to steal mares away from another stallion. These are very desirable traits for a wild stallion. Not all of them have this drive and those that do are the ones who will win the mares and pass those strong genes down to their foals. They are the horses who have shaped the herd into the strong, stable, healthy population that it is today.

Unfortunately, survival of the fittest doesn’t really come into play when faced with irresponsible, dangerous human behavior.

Last week we talked about how the Corolla horses have always lived around humans, and how that has played a big role in the development of the Bankers as a unique breed. (In case you missed it: shorturl.at/DGWhi) Long before the 4x4 beaches were a tourist destination there were already people, houses, and traffic here. The horses have learned how to navigate all of this and live in relative harmony with us - it’s an intrinsic part of their nature now.

But it’s also important to be realistic about the inherent dangers of this kind of environment, especially as more and more people access the area every year. There are some things that we can’t change or fully control. Beach driving is a necessity and traffic will always be a fact of life here. There will always be garbage cans full of trash in the summer. People will always be tempted to feed a horse an apple. These things all present threats to the horses, but only if people aren’t responsible and careful. We do have control over our own actions. We can choose to drive safely, we can choose to follow the rules and keep our distance, and we can choose to educate others and report unsafe behavior when we see it.

A horse choking to death on an apple is avoidable.

A horse getting into unsecured garbage cans is avoidable.

A horse getting hit by a careless driver is avoidable.

CWHF feels very strongly that we have a responsibility to keep the Corolla herd accessible; they are the state horse of North Carolina and a cultural and historical resource. They belong to all of us, and people should have the opportunity to see them in their most natural state. This means that everyone who shares space with them has a personal responsibility to help keep them safe. Habitat is more than just grass and dunes. It’s everything the horses encounter on a daily basis, and that includes us. We have to do our best to lessen any negative impact we might have on that habitat and the good news is most people who live, work, or vacation on the 4x4 do genuinely care about the horses and want to protect them. .

Bullwinkle has been the only horse to die or be removed from the wild in 2024 due to unnatural causes. That’s pretty remarkable, and means that the work we’re doing to advocate for the horses’ safety and protection is making a difference. The number of calls we’ve gotten about feeding and petting wild horses has been going down each season. The sheriff told us that our signs are working - law enforcement is seeing a difference. There are critter-proof garbage cans at most rental houses now, and we’ve gotten far fewer calls about trash this year. People are reporting bad behavior when they see it and doing their part to help educate visitors who may not know better.

It’s still hard to talk about Bullwinkle’s death. It was tragic, violent, and preventable. It was traumatic for our staff and for the people who came out to help us that night. It was a devastating loss for the critically endangered wild herd. But if sharing his story keeps other horses from meeting the same fate, then he didn’t die in vain. We will continue to talk about him even though it’s painful, and hope that like many of his storied ancestors his death will become a catalyst for positive change.

Today is #GivingTuesday, and we’d like to ask that you consider making a donation in honor of Bullwinkle. The role we all play in these horses’ lives may have changed over the decades, but people are still critically important to their long term survival here on the Northern Outer Banks. Join us today and your gift will be matched up to $40k - there’s really never been a better time to get involved. Your support has already made a noticeable, tangible difference - let’s keep the momentum going!

www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

Don’t forget about us if you’re doing some online shopping today! Our gift shop is fully stocked with CWHF apparel, books, artwork, the official 2025 calendar, and more! Shopping with us supports a great cause - all proceeds benefit the horses. 🎁🐎

www.corollawildhorses.com/cwhf-gift-shop/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Blossom and June are enjoying the warm sunshine at the farm this morning! 🥰

Don’t forget that if you make a donation now through the end of the year it will be matched - up to $40k! Your support allows us to provide a safe, permanent home to horses like this mother/daughter pair who had to be removed from the wild herd due to life-threatening illness and injury. Every dollar genuinely makes a difference!

Get involved today: www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/#top ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is the only place you’ll find “Butts to the Wind” logo items this holiday season! From stickers and koozies to adult apparel and beach towels, we’ve got you covered. And the best part is that all proceeds go back to the horses! As you can see, even Buster and Riptide at the farm approve.🐴🎁

Shop for gifts that give back online 24/7 at www.corollawildhorses.com/cwhf-gift-shop/.

Or swing by the CWHF Museum and Gift Shop in Historic Corolla Village Monday-Friday from 11am-3pm. 🎄 Find our location and updated store hours at www.corollawildhorses.com/contact/. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

We spent a lot of time this week filling low spots in the pastures with topsoil and then it rained last night night and this morning. Now Buster, Brio, and Louie are having a mud wallowing competition. Who do you think won? 🤔 (The prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place is the same - a good brushing!)

www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Did you know that every purchase you make in our gift shop in Corolla and in our online store helps the horses? All proceeds benefit both the wild Bankers and those on our farm.

The holiday season is just around the corner and we have lots of new items in stock. Stop by and see us or shop online at corollawildhorses.org/shop. 🐴❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 month ago

Since Raymond passed away we’ve gotten a lot of questions about how Blossom is doing. Short answer - she’s just fine. She’s living with her daughter June now and they are both very happy.

We rescued Blossom, who is in her late 20s or maybe even 30, last fall after she tore a ligament in one of her front legs. After she was fully healed we decided to see how she and Raymond would get along with each other at the farm since they did live together in the wild. Introductions went great, and they spent almost a year happily together. We called their paddock the old folks home. 🩷 Blossom was standing in the pasture next to us when we euthanized Raymond, and we gave her plenty of time with him afterwards to say her goodbyes.

If you haven’t already, please visit Raymond’s special memorial page on our website to share your stories and photos with everyone: www.corollawildhorses.com/remembering-raymond-submissions/ ... See MoreSee Less

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