Dove has arrived!
Spring is here, and so are the foals! This filly, named Dove, was born in the last week and appears to be thriving. Her mother is in excellent condition too. Dove is extra special to us because her grandfather is our dear Amadeo, who passed away in 2020. 
We know that foals are very exciting, but please remember they are also very fragile and need plenty of space. It’s illegal to approach, harass, or entice the horses and you must stay 50ft away from them at all times. We also ask that people not park and sit right on top of them, and do not circle around and around them. Definitely do not get out of your vehicle! Take your photo and move on. Crowding them stresses out the adults and it habituates the foals during a very critical time in their development. The adults can also be very territorial and protective, and by getting too close you are putting yourself in serious danger.
Our herd count is less than 100 right now; we cannot afford to lose horses due to human-caused problems. They face so many challenges to their survival that are beyond our control (remember, last year we lost two foals to natural causes), so please do not make things even more difficult by not following the rules and behaving disrespectfully. Your actions have serious, long-lasting consequences and every single person who visits the 4×4 needs to be a part of the solution, not the problem. Please help us keep these horses safe, treat their habitat with respect and care, and speak out when you see others not following the rules.
If you witness someone bothering the horses or breaking the law, please immediately call the Currituck County sheriff’s department at 252-453-3633. A deputy will be dispatched, and they will also contact CWHF so that we can send our staff over as well. We can’t do anything about it if you call or message after the fact, so please don’t hesitate if you see something! Photos, video, and license plate numbers help too.
