Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 days ago

We often talk about how the Bankers are a landrace breed, and how important that distinction is when it comes to advocating for their protection and preservation. It means that they have developed very specific and unique physical and behavioral adaptations based on their environment that set them apart from any other breed of horse in the world. They are intrinsically linked to this place and would not be what they are without the sand and salt, the nor’easters, the sea oats, and the live oaks.

Some of the characteristics of a landrace breed include unique dietary needs, a heightened immunity to vector-borne diseases endemic to an area, genetic integrity, and a distinctive phenotype. The Banker horses have spent centuries developing physical traits that allow them to survive on a pretty inhospitable spit of sand - their habitat is very much a part of their DNA.

But there is another aspect of landrace breeds that is critically important when defining what makes a Banker a Banker, and that is their tie to the history, culture, and people of the region in which they live. Over the centuries, humans have played just as much a role in the development of the Banker horse as their physical environment has, simply by being here and sharing space with them.

That shared history is also a part of their DNA, and a shared future will be as well.

This fall, we are excited to unveil our first ever Habitat Preservation Membership - an opportunity to make a real, positive impact on the long-term survival of this endangered herd. We know how important the habitat is to so many of you; now, you can come alongside us as a steward conserving the Corolla Bankers’ home on the beach. This is an opportunity to join this membership level as a founding member – in advance of a much-wider roll out coming in 2027.

To thank you for becoming a founding member, we have a very special package of gifts that will only be available this fall. Each founding member will receive a very special, limited edition, CWHF-logo bottle of bourbon – created in partnership with Weldon Mills Distillery. Each bottle is hand-numbered; only 45 of them exist. These are true collector’s items. In addition to the bottle, each founding member will also receive two CWHF branded glasses, Protect and Preserve t-shirt and sticker, membership poster and decal, and a personalized certificate acknowledging your stewardship.

Join today: www.corollawildhorses.com/habitat-preservation-initiative/habitat-preservation-fund/ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

6 days ago

RIP to our beach gate. 🙏🕊️ A new one is on the way to Corolla this afternoon and the plan is to get it hung tomorrow during low tide. In the meantime, if any horses decide to wade through this mess just to get to the other side of the fence…more power to ‘em! 😜

We’ve had quite a blow the last few days and it’s caused beach erosion here and overwash to our south. The horses are just fine, though. The weather itself really hasn’t been all that bad; just wind and high tides, neither of which impact the horses much at all.

Now is NOT a good time to visit the 4x4 beach, though, and that will be true through the weekend. The tide is extremely high and there’s lots of debris on the beach.

Please be safe out there! #buttstothewind ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Some photos taken by our staff over the last few weeks as summer has been winding down.

The horses are seasonal grazers, which means they utilize different parts of their habitat at different times of the year. You can find them where the food is! They have nearly 8,000 acres to roam, and every square inch of the habitat is critical to their survival. The land provides everything they need to survive - food, protection from the elements, water, and room to spread out and maintain healthy herd dynamics.

Learn more about our Habitat Preservation Initiative: www.corollawildhorses.com/habitat-preservation-initiative/ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Valentine has a swollen ear that was caused by shaking and rubbing her head because the flies have been so terrible, so she’s been wearing a fly mask with ear covers (thank you for the mask, Schneider Saddlery!).

She and her sister Virginia Dare have been in our quarantine paddock for the last 10 days and today we decided to turn them back out with the rest of the mares. She looks kind of like an alien and we were a little worried the other horses would be scared of her. Everyone was cool except for Kitty Hawk, who then convinced Buttercup and June they should be concerned about it too. 🤦‍♀️

They have plenty of room to spread out, with water on both ends of their large pasture, so no worries there. It’s just rare to see any of these fierce mares actually spooky about something! Hopefully by tomorrow all will be copacetic in Kitty’s world again. She may actually be a *tiny* bit scared of Valentine, but she’s also the kind of horse who finds chaos entertaining, and sometimes it’s just fun to have a reason to run around and act silly. And June and Butters can certainly use the exercise! 😉

If you’d like to sponsor Kitty Hawk, Valentine, or any of the other horses at the farm, visit our website: www.corollawildhorses.com/horse-sponsorships/ ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

Stunning photography, as always! What a wonderful way to spend the last weekend of the summer - good friends, wild ponies, and great conversations. Thanks so much for your support and for generously sharing these images with all of us! 🐎🌊

Check out all of RJStein Photography's work: www.rjsteinphotography.com/wild-horses ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Not many good things to say about the heat and biting flies this week, but the uncomfortable conditions have resulted in one positive thing - seeing a new(ish) foal for the first time!

This group of horses rarely comes out of the marsh so we don’t see them often, but the bugs had them seeking relief near the water on Tuesday. This colt is a few weeks old and both he and his mom are in excellent condition. He is the 12th healthy foal born in 2026 - seven fillies and five colts.

We’ve got one more day of oppressive heat (the heat index in Corolla is currently 106° 🔥) and it’s especially important to give the horses plenty of space. Please give them a 50' distance minimum at all times. This rule is in place not just to protect them, but you as well. Horses are large, powerful animals who use their teeth and hooves to communicate. Being on the receiving end of that would definitely put a damper on your weekend.

Please be patient and kind to everyone who is working extremely hard to make sure you have a great Labor Day holiday here on the Outer Banks! We’re glad you’re here and we hope you have fun, but just ask that you be safe and always respectful of this amazing place we all love. 🫶 ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Photo prints available for purchase!

We now offer photographs taken by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund as matted prints in our online store and Museum and Gift Shop in Corolla! All proceeds benefit the horses both in the wild and on our rescue farm.

Shop: www.corollawildhorses.com/shop/product-category/photography-and-canvas/

If a print you like goes out of stock online, please call us and we will be happy to speak with you about restocking: 252-453-8002 ... See MoreSee Less

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Another scorcher today - temps in the 90s with a heat index of 100° or more. No, this is not normal for this time of year and we are all (humans and horses!) over it. 🥵 The biting flies are also horrendous.

Did you know that horses grow their winter coats based on the light and not the temperatures? That means that the wild horses are already starting to get fuzzy, even though it’s still hot, hot, hot out.

Please give them plenty of space so they can stay as cool and comfortable as possible the next few days. We’ve got a holiday weekend coming up and the crowds are already starting to build. Remember, 50ft at minimum - don’t crowd the horses and make them move more than they naturally have to.

Photos taken this morning. 🌊 ... See MoreSee Less