Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 days ago

We’re thawing out! Thankfully we didn’t quite get as much snow as they were predicting, but the wind was pretty brutal Saturday night. The sun came out early yesterday, though, and the snow started melting even though it never got above freezing. Today it melted even more, and tomorrow it’s supposed to get up to 40°. 🥳

The wild horses have been scarce, laying low in the live oak hammocks where there’s food and protection from the wind. The tides did a number on the beach yesterday and this morning, but that doesn’t impact the horses - just us humans.

All of the farm horses did fine through the storm and were soaking up the sunshine today. We’ve got some pretty crazy snow drifts in places, but most of the pastures were relatively clear by the end of the day. The biggest issue we’re dealing with right now is no water in the farm house; we’re hoping it thaws out tomorrow but if not we’ll put a call into the plumber.

So, we can check “wintertime hurricane” off our 2026 bingo card and fast forward to spring now, right? 🏖️☀️👙 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 days ago

It’s snowing in Currituck! The horses at the farm are taking everything in stride so far. ☃️

A few people have asked how they can help us feed and care for the rescue horses during this winter weather. Make a donation through our website, and you can choose to designate it to the farm: www.corollawildhorses.com/one-time-donations/

Thank you for the support! Having a barn full of hay during weather like this is huge comfort. 🥰 ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

5 days ago

Well, guess it’s time to address the weather. 😵‍💫 Last week we breathed a sigh of relief when we dodged the winter storm bullet, but this week we are right in the bullseye. Our area could see up to a foot of snow and blizzard conditions Saturday night into early Sunday. This is not an area that sees this kind of weather often so we are scrambling to prepare as best we can, and have been all week.

First, let’s talk about the wild horses. Key word - wild. We do not handle them and we do not provide any supplemental care. They are very well-equipped to handle extreme weather. Does that mean it’s going to be comfortable and pleasant for them? Probably not. But they will put their butts to the wind and hunker down like they’ve been doing for the last 500 years. Horses grow a very thick, double coat in the winter and their hair contains oils to help waterproof them. The outer layer of hair stands up, trapping heat between the second layer and their body. If you see a horse with snow on their back that means that they are warm - their body heat is not escaping their thick winter coat and causing the snow to melt.

A horse’s hindgut is like an internal furnace; the fiber they eat ferments and warms them from the inside out. The wild horses are hardy and resourceful and will be able to find food even with a foot of snow on the ground. They eat all kinds of forage that won’t get buried by snow, and they will also dig through the snow for grass. They will break water with their noses and hooves to drink. They will take shelter under the sturdy live oaks. Their instincts will tell them what to do and their habitat will provide for them.

Adverse weather is certainly a stressful time for the wild horses and we can’t guarantee that issues won’t arise, but that is part of being wild and free. We will monitor the herd as best we can and take any necessary, appropriate action as advised by our veterinarian and herd management team.

You may have seen posts floating around showing AI photos of people doing all kinds of absurd things to the wild horses, like putting insulation on them. These photos are fake and the information contained in those posts is false. CWHF is the only entity with authority to handle and manage the wild horses. If you see any posts like that coming from any source other than this page, it is most likely AI generated content. We have asked the person who creates those images to stop because it sends people into a panic but he refuses. As a general rule we try not to engage with it or even acknowledge it, but we’ve gotten a ton of inquiries this morning so we wanted to formally address it here.

The horses on the farm are a different story. They are in captivity and reliant on us to feed them and provide the infrastructure they need to stay safe and healthy in weather like this. We have spent this week stocking up on hay and grain, and have enough on hand to feed all of the farm horses for at least two weeks. Each pasture has double the normal amount of weekly hay in it, there are 2-3 water troughs in each pasture, and multiple shelters for the horses to get out of the wind if they so choose. There are a few horses on the farm that we blanket due to age or health issues, but in general their winter coats keep them dry and warm just like the wild horses. However, we do have plenty of waterproof blankets on hand should we need them once the weather deteriorates.

Our cats have multiple places to get out of the weather and also have access to the heated farm house if they want to come inside (but they usually prefer to stay out). The chickens are bedded down with deep straw and have lots of food and other snacks to keep them full and entertained while they’re stuck inside. We have a full-time caretaker who lives on the farm so there will be someone on the property for the duration of the storm. We also have staff on both sides of the water who will be on-call and have 4WD vehicles should additional help be needed.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out in concern. It’s been a stressful week but we have an amazing team here that has been busting their tails to get the farm ready for the storm (on top of trying to prepare their own homes, families, and animals) and we are confident that we are as prepared as we possibly can be. And while we know the wild horses will endure as they have for many, many generations, we are on-call and ready to roll if we need to.

www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

In 2019 right around the time we relocated Raymond to the farm a wayward goat showed up on some friends’ property. They didn’t have any luck finding his owners, so they named him Sonny and decided to keep him. They figured out quickly why he was homeless - he was a pretty big jerk! They needed to rehome him and we thought well, he’s pretty tough and probably wouldn’t be intimidated by Raymond so let’s see how it goes. Initially things were ok, but it became clear that even the infamous Raymond was no match for Sonny the goat. Needless to say, they never did become besties.

There was some discussion about letting Sonny become a free-range security goat on our property but ultimately one of our staff took him to her farm and THAT was the ticket! Sonny found his forever home with another goat named Bernadette, two sheep, an old donkey, a couple kids to terrorize (his favorite enrichment), and several horses including Banker ponies Ocean Pearl and Uno. He was happy but still that same old Sonny - you had to carry a rake into the pasture with you because he would hook your leg with those horns or ram you from behind when you weren’t looking. It was all a part of his charm.

Sonny died yesterday due to old age and crossed the Rainbow Bridge onto his next adventure. We couldn’t let his passing go unacknowledged; he was a part of the family and very much loved. We know he’s still raising hell wherever he is now, but hopefully he’s letting Raymond rest in peace. 💜 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

How about some good news? 2025 left us a parting gift - one last foal born the week of Christmas, bringing our herd’s total for the year to ten!

While it’s uncommon for mares to foal so late in the season, it’s not abnormal. Nature made sure this little guy is well-equipped to handle the cold with a thick winter coat and his mother’s nutrient dense milk. Both mare and colt are in excellent condition; this is her second foal and she is a great mother.

Even though it’s the offseason, the rules still apply. This mare is especially protective and sensitive to intrusion - please give them plenty of space if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them.

www.corollawildhorses.org

*Media has permission to use the photos and information in this post, with credit to Corolla Wild Horse Fund ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

The wild horses are seasonal grazers, which means they utilize different parts of their habitat at different times of the year based on what’s available for them to eat.

The Bankers are a thrifty breed and able to survive on rougher forage and fewer calories than many other types of horses. Even in winter there is plentiful food across the 7600 acres of habitat, and you’ll often see them browsing for bull briar, acorns, marsh grasses, and even yellowed beach grass that still has plenty of nutritional value. This keeps them warm and in good weight all winter long!

All of these photos were taken by our staff over the last week. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

It’s been a little over a month since we relocated Topnotch to the farm and it’s safe to say he has officially settled in and become a part of the family. Feels like he’s been here forever! 😉

He knows exactly what time he’s supposed to be served each meal and you better not be late with it! He and Blossom are getting along really well, and his training is progressing slowly but surely. He’s still not comfortable being touched but is very eager to engage with us, so we are confident that with time and patience we’ll eventually get there. Physically, he’s in very good shape for a horse his age. Sometime before spring he’ll have a full veterinary and dental exam, vaccinations, and maybe even a hoof trim.

Maybe not the most exciting update, but in this case that’s a very good thing! All is well in Topnotch’s world. 🩵

If you missed the last update about Topnotch, you can read it here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1C2XnUS42f/

Sponsor Topnotch and help cover the cost of his feed, veterinary, and training: www.corollawildhorses.com/horse-sponsorships/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Observing the horses interacting naturally with each other and their habitat can teach us so much about them! Our staff monitors the herd every day and we collect data on all kinds of things, including locations, grazing patterns, herd dynamics, and even weather conditions.

Today we came across two bachelor stallions on the beach; the chestnut is quite old whereas the bay was born in 2022. This is a great example of what life is like for a stallion in the years before and after the prime of their life. They often band up together and the older horses play an important role in the development of the younger stallions. Play-fighting like what’s happening in these photos is a way for the less mature horses to develop skills they’ll need to one day challenge other stallions for mares.

However - even low-stakes scuffles like this can be extremely dangerous for people. Always keep your distance and remember that a seemingly peaceful moment can escalate quickly! The second and third photos were taken through the lens of the binoculars. ... See MoreSee Less

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