OUR MISSION
To protect, conserve, and responsibly manage the herd of Corolla wild horses (Bankers) roaming freely on the northernmost Currituck Outer Banks, and to promote the continued preservation of this land as a permanent sanctuary for horses designated as the State Horse and defined as a cultural treasure by the state of North Carolina.
CWHF GIFT SHOP
Shop Online Now or Visit Us at Our Store in Corolla Monday through Friday from 11 am to 2 pm
By sponsoring Virginia Dare, your commitment will help cover her care, including feed, hay, supplements, medicine, regular farrier service, veterinary care, pasture maintenance, and so much more. Sponsoring Virginia or any of the horses that reside on the CWHF farm is an exciting and highly personalized way to support the Fund and its mission.
- Limited edition print painted by Virginia Dare
- Exclusive digital download of the new song “Queen of the Pack” written about Virginia Dare, from singer-songwriter Janet Martin
- Embossed presentation folder with glossy photo of Virginia Dare
- Official certificate in sponsor’s name
- Educational materials about Virginia Dare and the Corolla Wild Horse Fund
- Quarterly updates via email address provided
CWHF Community Cares Partner is how we acknowledge, highlight, and thank local businesses and individuals who embrace the CWHF, our mission and support us diligently. These partnerships are vital to our cause. Together we create shared visions and projects benefiting the horses. We offer goodwill and support to each other while working together to keep our beloved Banker mustangs wild and free.
Remembering Raymond
Fatal Wild Horse Incident
Elvis has arrived!
It’s a Girl!
Hello, Ezra!
Raymond has a companion, again.
Junior is home and doing well!
Junior’s Emergency Surgery
Fly Over the 4×4
Facebook Feed
No snow for us today - just lots of rain! ☔️
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5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Brio, Arrow, Wildfire, and Squirt must have partied pretty hard last night! 🍾🎉😉
Happy New Year!
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21 CommentsComment on Facebook
 heading that way for a few days in April, is the barn open for visitors on a daily basis
Happy New Year! They look very content catching some warm rays of the sun!!! ❤️🙏🏼❤️
Basking in the sun, on a chilly day, sounds like the perfect way to start a new year.
On the night Junior died I remember looking up at the sky and being awestruck by how beautiful it was. One of the worst days of my life, but the stars were still bright and twinkling, just as they had been the night he was born and as they were every other night for the next twenty years of his life. It was the same sky that all of his ancestors - countless generations of Banker horses, had lived under.
Those stars welcomed Elsa to the world the week before Junior died, and they were the stars that lit the night sky when we buried her just two days later. Stars that Flint spent forty extraordinary years under, stars that would witness the worst (and also the best) of humanity the night Bullwinkle was killed, stars that Raymond brayed beneath, stars that blanketed the sky when Moxie lived in the shadow of the lighthouse, and later on Dews Island.
They were the same stars that guided ships with hulls full of ponies across a dark, vast ocean hundreds of years ago.
There’s a lot of comfort and beauty to be found in these inevitabilities. The sun will rise, the tides will shift, horses will be born and horses will die, and if we’re lucky we get to continue being a part of this incredible cycle of life - even on the worst of days.
If there is one thing that 2024 taught us, it’s that life does go on.
Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. Herd management takes a lot of work and resources, even when the approach is as hands-off as possible. There’s a balance to be found between letting nature take its course and protecting a highly-endangered breed. From daily observations and data collection, habitat preservation, DNA research, and public education to new fencing at the rescue farm and continuing education for our staff, it all comes together to ensure the future is secure for the Corolla Bankers.
None of this would be possible without your continued support. We are so grateful and humbled by your trust in us to carry out this mission and to always do what’s best for the horses. We leaned heavily on that support this year. Every kind note slipped into an envelope with a donation check, every tearful hug and memory shared at an open house, every thoughtful Facebook comment - it kept us going. Thank you.
So, as this year comes to a close let us remember those we lost while looking forward to those who are yet to be born. The world will keep turning.
Rest easy Elsa, Luna, Junior, Moxie, Bullwinkle, Mocha, Flint, Raymond, Mimosa, Sea King, and our sweet barn cat Luna. Your legacies are truly a blessing.
Wishing all of you the very best in the New Year. ✨
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Our year-end fundraiser is almost over, but if you make a donation today it will still have double the impact thanks to a very generous $40,000 match - www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/
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67 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for care you give each and every one of the banker horses, in the wild, at the rescue farm and keeping track of the adopted ones. It can be so heartbreaking but also the most joyful. You are the best.
Thank you so much for including our sweet Mimosa in your beautiful tribute. She lived the first 13 or so years wild and free before she came to Virginia. The day she arrived - it had been raining all morning - but there was a rainbow in the sky when she came off the trailer. She was a true ambassador for the breed. She loved everyone and gave rides to all the children. She taught me so much and changed the way I interacte with and care for my other horses. I have tears in my eyes but a huge spot in my heart filled with love for that mare - Mimosa.
I don’t know your name as the author of this post, but you have shared your poetry, and it is beautiful. I will make a donation and as I do, please make a silent promise that you will write a book. 🙏
Thank you Corolla Wild Horse Tours! We appreciate your support for our work and your investment in the herd’s future. It takes a village! ... See MoreSee Less
Land Preservation Initiative | Corolla Wild Horses | Corolla Wild Horse Fund
The preservation and conversion of purchased land within the 7,544 acres on the 4×4 to prime habitat is crucial for the long-term survival of the wild Banker horses.2 CommentsComment on Facebook
How about if the multiple Corolla horse tour companies were to begin funding needed repairs to the roadways within Swan Beach which their vehicles travel relentlessly a countless number of times during the year.
$181.11?
Do your kids ever bug the snot out of you while you’re just trying to eat in peace? Blossom can relate. 🤣 She needs a few more calories every day than June does so her hay gets supplemented with a feed formulated especially for senior horses. The noise you hear towards the end of the video is Louie in the pasture across from them banging on the gate because he also thinks it’s entirely unfair. It’s a rough life around here! 😉💜
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16 CommentsComment on Facebook
As a mother and now grandmother I can relate. The littles are always snitching a bite of whatever I have. 🥰
Oh Junebug it’s OK. We’ll be there in the spring and give you and Louie some extra love. Til then stay warm and dry.💗🥰😘🤗
I love June! So happy I got to see her when she was still in the wild. CN we ever post photos here?
From all of us at the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, we wish you a truly Merry Christmas.
It is my sincere hope that you have enjoyed the stories we have been sharing over the past month as part of our year-end campaign. Your support of that campaign continues to be incredible! We are not quite done with the campaign stories yet, as we have more coming your way for year-end.
But for today, we offer a simple gift to all of you - a brief State of the Fund video with Meg, myself, and a very special guest!!
Kind regards,
Chris Winter
Chief Executive Officer
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31 CommentsComment on Facebook
Merry Christmas Meg!! Please give. Bonita a kiss for me!!!❤️
Merry Christmas to every one of you who work so hard for the horses of Corolla. I love your dedication, you are all the best. Meg, your articles are so interesting, and well written. There is so much information and I thank you. Love to you all, both 2 and 4 legged!!
Soo many thanks for all you do for the horses. They are a state treasure to see (safely from a distance). Blessings of joy & peace. ⭐🐎
Our gift shop in Corolla will be open tomorrow from 11-3 if you need to do some last minute shopping! We’ll be closed the 25th and 26th but back open from 11-3 again on Friday 12/27. 🎁 ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Been there, done that! 🐎 Merry Christmas.
Hooray’. See you in the morning!
Merry Christmas 🐎❤️🎄
Bravo (b. 2021) and Donner (b. 2023) were horsing around with each other yesterday. 😉
Around the age of two a colt will usually leave its parents and the harem it was born into. For the next couple years they will live together in bachelor groups where they practice fighting and learn how to navigate different harem dynamics. There are often older stallions in these groups too, and they play a very important role in the education of the youngsters. Around the age of six they will usually strike out on their own and put the skills they learned to use as they begin to fight for mares and build a harem of their own. And then once they reach their late teens or early twenties they will lose their mares to a younger stallion and the cycle repeats.
The circle of life! Hopefully Bravo and Donner both have bright futures with lots of foals ahead of them. Remember that this play fighting can still be very rough and dangerous, and not something you want to get in the middle of. Give them plenty of space and enjoy watching nature take its course from a distance.
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26 CommentsComment on Facebook
I have a special place in my heart for Donner… He spent most of his first year in my yard with his Dad Corr, Mom North Star, and Aunt Autumn… after Ester was born her didn’t hang as tight to Mom anymore ❤️
I couldn't possibly love this picture any more than I do! Besides my love, Junior, this is one of the best horsing around pictures I have seen! Kudos to whoever captured this .
Bravo and Donner playing reindeer games. 😉🎄
Bonita has a hoof abscess (it’s not serious - she should be just fine) and was VERY brave about soaking her foot this morning!
We asked her to set her hoof down in a pan of water with epsom salt in it, which is something she’s never done before. She wasn’t too sure about it at first 👀 but ended up being a very good girl and standing still for longer than we expected her to. After soaking it we put some antiseptic on the abscess and wrapped the whole hoof up so it will stay dry and clean. Then she got to go back out to the pasture with her friends. A very positive experience!
Bonita is a pretty reactive horse; if she’s worried or scared her first instinct is to bolt (that’s the flight part of “fight or flight”) so we were really proud of her for letting us take care of her hoof today. Now that she knows nothing too scary will happen she will be much more relaxed about it next time. ☺️
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59 CommentsComment on Facebook
I get scared sometimes too Bonita! So proud of you for trusting. I love you girl ❤️🩹Thank y’all so much for taking great care of her! Please post a follow up on her health!
Good girl!! It probably felt good. We use a fluids bag and vet wrap it at the top.
What a very patient girl! I use to have to bribe mine with treats!!!
Our goal is to keep every Corolla Banker wild for the entirety of its life by practicing purposeful, science-based management and allowing them to live as naturally as possible in an ever-changing (and ever-challenging) environment. Over the course of their lives the wild horses will sustain all kinds of injuries - bites and kicks from other horses, muscle sprains and hoof abscesses, eye injuries, and many other things that in a domestic setting would require veterinary care but for a wild horse is just normal life. They are incredibly tough and resilient and very rarely require help from humans.
But sometimes, in the case of life-threatening illness, injury, or habituation, it becomes necessary for our team to intervene. If our veterinarian determines that an injury or illness will result in death, prevent a horse from keeping up with its harem or getting to food and water, or if a habituated behavior becomes dangerous for the horse and/or people, then we will make an effort to capture the horse for treatment, rehabilitation, or euthanasia if that’s the most humane course of action. Once a horse is removed from the wild it can’t be returned due to the risk of spreading disease to the unvaccinated herd. They also tend to domesticate very quickly, especially if they are gravely ill and require a lot of hands-on care. Removal is the absolute last resort and we will do everything in our power to avoid it, but when it does become necessary it’s important that we have a safe place to take these horses.
That’s where our farm, located on the Currituck mainland, comes into play.
CWHF was fortunate enough to be in a position to purchase the 31-acre property in 2018 and since then it has become a sanctuary for any Banker horse that needs it. In the years since purchasing the farm we’ve steadily been making improvements so that it is set up to intake wild horses safely, provide spaces for veterinary care, rehabilitation, and training, and then provide a comfortable place for them to live for as long as they need it. Because most of the horses on the farm were removed from the wild due to severe injury or illness and many of them are older, they often require on-going, higher levels of care for their entire lives. This can range from daily anti-inflammatories, a specialized diet, corrective hoof trimming, and lots of things in between. Many of them also have behavioral quirks that can make them difficult and sometimes even dangerous to handle if approached the wrong way. The farm is a permanent sanctuary for these horses, and provides them with a place to live where they will be safe, cared for, and enriched in ways that are individually tailored to their personalities and physical limitations.
The farm is currently home to 20 Banker horses, all of them very special in their own way.
Brio, who was orphaned at seven months old and nearly died from malnutrition and pneumonia, will be four in July. He has grown up into a healthy, friendly, beautiful young horse that has a bright future ahead of him. He is smart and enjoys learning new things, and one day he may even be adopted out to the right person. But in the meantime we can take our time with his training and ensure that he will be well-adjusted, easy to handle, and confident so that he will have the right foundation to be successful in whatever may be in store for him.
Rita is 18, and was removed from the wild shortly after birth due to deformities in her hind legs that would have made life very painful and short for her. Quick intervention gave veterinarians the opportunity to correct the issues enough to where specialized hoof care has kept her sound and comfortable. Once weaned, Rita was adopted out to a wonderful person who loved her dearly. Sadly, Rita’s person was diagnosed with a terminal illness when Rita was ten years old but before she passed away she made sure that Rita came back to us so that she would be safe for the rest of her life. Our policy is that we will always take back any adopted horse, no questions asked - they all have a permanent home with us if needed. Rita is kind and gentle, and while she can’t do outreach off the farm anymore due to her physical limitations she continues to be one of the best ambassadors we have. Lots of kids have learned how to groom a horse thanks to Rita!
Arrow is in his 20s, and unfortunately had to be removed from the wild after developing very dangerous food aggression due to being fed. He is a perfect example of why the farm is so important, because he can be very dangerous in certain situations and would be a liability to have on most normal farms. But because we have a facility that can safely house him and a staff and veterinary team that can handle him he has a permanent home with us where he will be happy, enriched, and cared for (on his own terms!) for the rest of his life. And we owe him that - it is not his fault that he had to be removed from the wild, and it is not his fault that he behaves the way he does. He also serves as an example of why it’s so important to follow the rules - feeding the wild horses has very real consequences, and Arrow is living proof of that.
June was rescued a couple years ago after contracting pythiosis, a fungal infection that is fatal if not treated quickly and aggressively. June was taken to North Carolina State University where she underwent surgery and then spent about a month in the hospital recovering. June is healthy now, and in training to be an outreach horse. She is also being saddle trained, and is learning how to drive and pull a cart too. June will stay with us for the rest of her life because she is so kind and safe - she is a great ambassador for her breed and a very important part of our education program. Her sire Roamer was as well, and it’s pretty neat that she can carry on that legacy. Of course we wish that June had stayed healthy and wild, but the life she is living now has just as much meaning, impact, and value.
These are just a few of the horses who are alive and well today because we have the resources and facilities to care for them, and that is thanks to your continued support.
The farm was a long time coming, and the culmination of decades of hard work and advocacy by a lot of people. Just because a Banker horse has to be removed from the wild doesn’t mean that it becomes any less valuable or worthy of our time and resources. Every single one of them continues to serve a very important role after domestication by representing their wild counterparts and serving as examples of the important work we do. Visiting the farm allows people to get up close and personal with this special breed in a safe, respectful way and those connections translate into a better understanding of how fragile life in the wild can be and how important it is for all of us to work together to protect the wild herd and their habitat.
The farm is one of the best ways to see your contributions at work. Every bale of hay, every bottle of medicine, all of our emergency response equipment from trucks and trailers to fence panels and tow straps, and every single horse that is standing out in a pasture right now enjoying the warm sunshine is there because of you. Please consider making a donation today - it literally saves lives!
Make a donation: www.corollawildhorses.com/one-time-donations/
Sponsor a rescued horse: www.corollawildhorses.com/horse-sponsorships/
Hay for a Day: www.corollawildhorses.com/hay-for-a-day/
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9 CommentsComment on Facebook
I love reading about the horses. We always go to watch them when we are in OBX on vacation. I grew up on a dairy farm in PA. Our horses were our pets and were all cast offs from somebody who couldn’t care for them or just didn’t want them anymore. They all had unique personalities. We learned quickly with kindness what we could and couldn’t do when near them. They were forever patient and taught us many useful life lessons. I could go on forever about our horses but know we all appreciate what you do for the Banker horses. Thank you
They are all beautiful, safe and loved! Thank you for all you do for these magnificent horses! There is a special place in heaven for those who love and care for all gods creatures!
Thanks to everybody at the farm and volunteers in the wild trying to make sure these beautiful animals stay wild or cared for.
We will be closing our Museum & Gift Shop in Corolla at 1:00pm today so we can celebrate the holidays with our incredible staff! 🎄🐴❤️
We will be back to our regular winter hours tomorrow and Friday, 11:00am - 3:00pm.
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11 CommentsComment on Facebook
I hope you all enjoyed the most wonderful time together!!! Sending love to all of you!
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you wonderful people!
Merry Christmas to all !!!
Play it cool this Christmas like Riptide and our CEO with our new Corolla Wild Horse Fund beanie. 😎🎄
Get your orders in this weekend for delivery in time for Christmas! Giving a horse sponsorship or membership is a great and thoughtful holiday gift as well!
Shop the beanie: www.corollawildhorses.com/shop/beanie-corolla-wild-horse-fund/
Gift a sponsorship: www.corollawildhorses.com/horse-sponsorships/
Gift a membership: www.corollawildhorses.com/memberships/annual-memberships/
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5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Riptide wears it well!
Two handsome guys!
Plz LMK if they are available in shop now? Tx 🐎
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/
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11 CommentsComment on Facebook
I find it absolutely amazing the genetic work y’all are doing ! And you have a match for funds! That’s awesome - will send a bit as well - ya’ll are heroes for these historic equines for sure. Thank you ☺️
Thank-you for sharing this interesting story! My family has been coming to Corolla since the mid-90s and I well remember finding the wild horses roaming throughout the Corolla Light neighborhood. I was even surprised once by finding 2 horses standing under the house when I opened the door to head to the beach! It makes me wonder if one was Moxie, haha. Bless you and the work you do.
I love to read these stories ❤️. Thank you.
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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14 CommentsComment on Facebook
Glad to hear bout Gus I was thinking about him yesterday
Didn’t realize you guys sell merch… I’ll be purchasing some.
Any new sightings of Gus?
Ethan (b. May 2024) has his winter woolies on today! On cold days like today the horses look extra fluffy because their hair is designed to stand up on end to create a layer of insulation between the air and their skin. If you ever see a horse with snow on its back that means they are very warm - their body heat is not escaping their thick coat and causing the snow to melt. Not sure if we’ll see snow here on the Outer Banks this winter but if we do the horses will be well-equipped to handle it. 🧣
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45 CommentsComment on Facebook
Do they ever need farrier services, like my horse or do they wear their hooves down by migrating and the sand?
He’s so cute 🐴😍
Is this adaptation unique to the Bankers or does it happen with wild horses across the country?
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. ✨
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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/
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78 CommentsComment on Facebook
I hope you are running fast and living a great life in heaven dear beautiful Bullwinkle!!💙💙You are missed!! Big thank you to all whom protect them!! You are appreciated greatly!!
Beach driving is a privilege, not a necessity. I wish more humans understood that. Thank you for all that you do.
During a visit in 2021, I took a pic of a lone stallion that visited the yard of the home we stayed in (2200 block of Sandpiper). He showed up in the morning while we were in the pool, grazing in the yard. We loved watching him from behind the fence (and have lots of photos of him!) By afternoon we thought he’d moved on but then found him enjoying the shade underneath our house. I snapped this picture of him from the stairwell before leaving him to enjoy his shady solitude. I have had the zoomed in/cropped version of this photo as my phone lock screen ever since. Can anyone identify which horse this is/was? It won’t let me add it to my comment. He was a solid bay, similar to Bullwinkle and I wonder if this was him? 😢 I changed my public profile picture to the photo I took of that stallion. Please note this photo is zoomed in/cropped and was taken from a distance upon a chance encounter and I then immediately left the area to avoid being too close to him. I take the safety of these horses very seriously and made sure we did everything correctly during our visits! ❤️
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/
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6 CommentsComment on Facebook
What a perfect way to get a great present & help out the horses at the same time 🥰
I like the ornament shown, cannot see it on their website?
Love this
If you’re coming to meet one of our rescued Banker horses today we are planning on being at the museum around 3pm instead of 4pm - come over early if you can! It’s pretty chilly today so we want to utilize the sunlight while we can. Hope to see you this afternoon! ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Tomorrow! 🎄🐎🎁 ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.1 CommentComment on Facebook
Suggestion - set up a link so that we can buy items from the gift shop on line if we are unable to attend in person.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund
1130E Corolla Village Road
Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-8002
MUSEUM & GIFT SHOP
Winter Hours:
Monday – Friday
11:00 am to 2:00 pm