Author Archive for: Corolla Wild Horse Fund

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Entries by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Tresie – Adopted July 2017

November 9, 2017/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Tresie is a 13 year old mare who was rescued from the wild in 2006 with a severely injured right hind hoof. After surgery and a cast for 6 weeks […]

Noel – Adopted October 2017

November 9, 2017/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Our sweet Noel was adopted by a wonderful family and is staying right here in Currituck County. Harrison is in the Wolfpack 4-H Club and met Noel during a meeting […]

Help Victims of Hurricane Harvey

August 30, 2017/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. Hurricanes are a part of life for us here on the Outer […]

Hay For A Day

January 10, 2017/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Hay – it’s what’s for dinner! Also breakfast, lunch, and a few snacks in between. Quality hay is the mainstay of our rescued horses’ diet. Horses are grazers. In the […]

Join us for a Wine Tasting on Wednesday September 10th 1-4:30

September 5, 2014/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Join us for a wine tasting on Wednesday September 10 from 1-4:30 at our locations in Scarborough Faire in Duck or the Museum store in Corolla. You can sample local […]

Creed – has been adopted 10/23/2014

July 24, 2014/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Our wonderful Creed now resides in Asheville, NC with his new owner Jim Kelton and will take part in endurance riding. It was bittersweet to see him go, but we […]

Member Spotlight: Claire Ledbetter

July 21, 2014/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

July 2014: Our member spotlight shines on Claire Ledbetter who is from Virginia. Claire came to visit us before, but this summer was different: Claire volunteered for us for a […]

Mustang Music Festival is October 10th & 11th!

July 18, 2014/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Mark your calendars for Friday October 10th and Saturday October 11th and join us for the 4th annual Music Mustang Festival! Mike Dianna is going all out this year by […]

Member Spotlight: Betsy Henkel

June 3, 2014/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

June 2014: Our member spotlight shines on our very own Betsy Henkel (she’s not only an employee, but a Charter member as well!) This picture shows Betsy trail riding with […]

Member Spotlight: Olivia Lantz

June 3, 2014/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

May 2014: Our Member Spotlight shines on 12 year old Olivia Lantz. She is 12 years old and is in 6th grade. Olivia has been riding horses since she was […]

Latest News

Remembering RaymondNovember 6, 2024 - 1:20 pm
Fatal Wild Horse IncidentJuly 29, 2024 - 6:52 pm
Elvis has arrived!May 8, 2024 - 12:50 pm
It’s a Girl!May 6, 2024 - 12:47 pm
Hello, Ezra!April 29, 2024 - 12:44 pm

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

17 hours 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

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Beach driving is a privilege, not a necessity. I wish more humans understood that. Thank you for all that you do.

I will never be convinced that beach driving is necessary outside of state management purposes etc

A prominate business owner in Chesapeake who owns a home on the 4 x 4 and left the scene of the accident. The state should prohibit additional building and require golf carts or a limited number of scheduled shuttles only as a means of transportation for every single resident and no driving on the beaches after sunset.

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 days 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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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

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 days ago

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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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 days ago

Tomorrow! 🎄🐎🎁 ... See MoreSee Less

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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

6 days ago

Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡 ... See MoreSee Less

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36 CommentsComment on Facebook

You too. 🦃🦃

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for all you do for the herd.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week 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 live oaks, and yes, even the people.

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.

When Raymond died a couple weeks ago we lost more than just his physical presence. He was one of the last vestiges of an era that has now been mostly lost to history. While he may not have ticked off all those physical characteristics of a landrace breed, he was perhaps the best and most iconic example of our shared culture and history. He represented both sides of the coin - his mother was a wild Banker mare and his father was a domestic donkey, brought here by humans back when things were a little bit wilder and a little less regulated. As the stewards of this herd, it is our responsibility to record, preserve, and share this history. There’s an increasing urgency to do this as so many of the old timers (horses and humans alike) have begun to pass away in recent years. We have to acknowledge and celebrate this history because all of it - good, bad, and everything in between - has played a role in making the Banker horses what they are today.

This year we lost several iconic horses that played a big role in shaping the history of this herd, and who also represented the role CWHF has played in that history. Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing their stories again and talking about how they relate to various aspects of herd management, from DNA and genetics to rescue and rehab, habitat preservation, and balancing “wild and free” with increasing pressures from encroachment and development. We are optimistic about the future of this critically endangered herd - history has proven that they are strong, resilient, and adaptable and that with responsible, thoughtful management they will be able to survive here for many generations to come.

If you have not yet shared your memories of Raymond, we encourage you to do so: www.corollawildhorses.com/remembering-raymond-memorial-wall/ Be a part of preserving this history!

And don’t forget that through the end of the year a generous donor will be matching all donations - up to $40k! Your support is what allows us to continue elevating this incredibly important work and every single dollar makes a difference. Learn about all the different ways to get involved: www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/

(Photo: Raymond the mule walking on the beach at sunrise) ... See MoreSee Less

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16 CommentsComment on Facebook

Beautiful. Do you know which horse is in this image?

Since following your page, I have learned so much about the Banker horses and their history. Thank you for sharing so much information on these majestic horses. 🥰

I ❤️ the Banker horses! Glad my annual donation was deducted today so the donor will match it. I also support by liking/ sharing posts, adoption and shopping at the online store. I’ve been to the OBX but never to Corolla or the farm. I hope to visit next year! Thank you for all you do for those precious horses!🐎💗🙏🏼🌻

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

These ornaments honor two of our favorite old guys, both of whom we lost this year. They are made out of native Currituck clay and infused with Raymond and Junior’s hair. Each one is unique, and supplies are limited so don’t wait to order! Proceeds come back to CWHF to benefit the horses - thank you Middleton Clay Project! ❤️

Link to order below ⬇️AMADEO JR Ornaments and the Last of the RAYMONDS
www.middletonclayproject.com/shop/corolla-wild-horse-hair-pots/26 ... See MoreSee Less

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7 CommentsComment on Facebook

Are you doing them with flint also?

Will you have these in the store or at the Christmas Village at any point, or should we definitely order online?

These are beautiful. Just ordered a Raymond. He was so special.❤️

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week 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

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Good morning to these beautiful babies!!

Sweetest

Aawwww Good morning all!

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Come see us Saturday November 30th in the Historic Corolla Village to kick off the holiday season! 🎄🐴

www.corollawildhorses.com/event/holiday-open-house-meet-a-banker/ ... See MoreSee Less

Come see us Saturday November 30th in the Historic Corolla Village to kick off the holiday season! 🎄🐴

https://www.corollawildhorses.com/event/holiday-open-house-meet-a-banker/

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 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 Are the crew neck sweatshirts fitted on the bottom?

We got our sweatshirt!

I have a sticker and a sweatshirt 🐴💜☺️ love that there was a choice of sticker colors! such a great logo too, given the story of how it came about ☺️

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

This email went out to our membership from our CEO Chris Winter and we wanted to share it with all of you are well. We are extremely excited to announce that there is a $40,000 match in place for our end-of-year fundraiser!

Donate today: www.corollawildhorses.com/one-time-donations/

*********

As we make our way to the end of 2024, all of us at the Corolla Wild Horse Fund are filled with gratitude for the myriad ways you have supported our mission this year. It certainly has been a year filled with unanticipated loss, but like the foals born in the spring, we are growing and evolving to meet the ever-changing challenges ahead of us.

A little less than two months ago, we were poised to kick-off our Fall Fundraiser, which is a critical campaign each year. Sadly, the timing coincided directly with the landfall of Hurricane Helene, and we made the decision to postpone that campaign and allow the focus to stay on the mountain communities where there was such immediate need.

In the place of the Fall Fundraiser, today we are kicking off our 2024 Year-End fundraising campaign. I am thrilled to share with you that through the generosity of a couple of our amazing donors, we have a match of $40,000 in place for this campaign. EVERY DOLLAR THAT YOU GIVE WILL BE MATCHED UP TO $40,000! Our challenge is now to come together and equal, then surpass, that goal!

Over the course of the campaign, which will run from November 19-December 31, you will hear from us in a variety of ways. You will receive a weekly email from us that tells the story of the many facets of our mission through the life of one of the horses that passed in 2024. In addition to posting those weekly emails, there will also be shorter posts sharing our story on Facebook. You can look for the State of the Fund video to be released in December. With the holidays upon us, don’t forget to visit us in Corolla or online to shop for your favorite CWHF merchandise. We will feature some of that merchandise over the next month. I cannot think of a better place to do some holiday shopping!

We look back over a year in which we lost several horses, all but one of those horses due to natural causes. This continues the growing body of evidence over the past few years that our education efforts are having a significantly positive impact. Your financial investment in our work makes our education initiatives possible. I cannot understate how direct your impact is. This is just one example of the types of stories that will be shared in this campaign, highlighting what happens as a result of your support.

When you give to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, you are giving in support of an extraordinarily dedicated and talented staff. You are giving in support of the farm in Grandy that serves as a beautiful sanctuary for horses that no longer live on the beach. You are giving in support of our growing efforts to protect the habitat that is home to the wild Bankers. You are giving in support of our efforts to educate all on the how to keep the wild herd safe. You are giving in support of this extraordinary mission and these extraordinary horses.

Our optimism for the future of the herd runs deep. I humbly ask you to share that optimism with us and walk alongside us in support of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. (And don’t forget, your gift will be matched!!)

Kind regards,
Chris Winter
CWHF Chief Executive Officer

Donate today: www.corollawildhorses.com/one-time-donations/ ... See MoreSee Less

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I just donated then see it went to a PayPal Fund to be distributed to Corolla Wild Horses within 45 days. I would have rather donated directly.

We live here in Western NC and was affected by Helene, we made the decision to come to the OBX last week as a get away. We visited your shop and bought the beautiful art piece made by one of your BOD, plus T-shirts and hoodies!! It was so amazing seeing the horses, and also seeing all the support from the people and business's at the OBX for us here in Western NC. Thanks for being there for us, and Thanks for the wonderful get away to my favorite place the OBX.

I have a beautiful vase from your shop with Blossom Knot's hair woven through it. I love it. I ordered it online. I will donate now. Thank you and God bless you for the work you do to save these beautiful horses.

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

The Banker horses are what’s known as a landrace breed. This means that they are unique from any other breed of horse in the world due to the adaptations they’ve developed over the last several hundred years that allow them to survive on the barrier islands of North Carolina. Breed conservation is key to their long term survival. These genes do not, and can not, exist anywhere else because the horses are intrinsically tied to our coastal landscape, culture, and history.

We are tasked with the tricky job of preserving these genetics while at the same time not interfering with the natural course of their lives. Luckily there is a lot of breed conservation work that can happen without being intrusive. In 2020 we undertook an ambitious project to collect DNA from every wild Corolla horse, along with any that have been removed from the herd and are currently living in captivity. From this we can build ancestries, learn more about herd dynamics, movement, ages, and breeding behavior, test for genetic diseases, and build a breed database that will help other managers far into the future.

The farm also provides opportunities for breed conservation. While we have yet to breed any of the captive Bankers, we have plans to do so in the future. We’ve also begun collecting and storing semen from our stallions so that should something happen to them, their genes will be preserved for many years to come.

Your continued support is vital to their survival as well - join us today: www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/ Memberships and sponsorships make great holiday gifts! ... See MoreSee Less

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Then stop building houses in the 4x4 area north of the horse gate! Restrict beach access by vehicle to so many days per year and only between certain hours! Protect the horses not the wallet

Where do you send the DNA?

I'd love to learn more about your research and conservation efforts. Do you have cameras out in the wild to observe without intruding? I'm sure you're familiar with the Help Alberta Wildies Society and their remote cams and YouTube channel that gather information and help raise funds...could you do something like this, or would it risk bringing too many people into your more accessible area?

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 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

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Everyone was a winner with a good brushing! Mud wallowing must have felt great to them. 😊❤️

I’d say they all gave it their best efforts! And they look so handsome!😂

Buster is always a winner in my heart 💕💕🥰😘

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 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

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund Hi! 🐴 Would you please tell me, are the Spanish Mustangs horses or ponies? I’ve have heard them referred to both ways. There is a discrepancy on one of the OBX groups. Thanks 😊

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

In a herd of around 100 horses, every single individual matters. The Bankers are a highly-threatened, critically endangered breed and the conservation of those rare and invaluable genetics are at the forefront of all the work that we do. It’s not enough to simply maintain a population of horses in the wild; we also need to ensure that they are genetically healthy and that their habitat can support them for many generations to come.

We maintain individual files on each horse, and these records include identification photos, foaling history for mares, a log of injuries or illnesses, DNA, associations, and any other relevant management information. Each horse is assigned a registration number and kept track of from birth to death. Our staff is on the beach seven days a week observing the horses. They record latitude and longitude coordinates for tracking and habitat use purposes, behaviors like fighting, grazing, or breeding, weather conditions, and more. The more we know about how these horses spend their days, the better equipped we will be to save them.

There are lots of ways you can get involved and help us continue this important work. Learn more: www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Thank you so much for the vision and the work. The earth its' own self is better for what you do. Very much appreciated. So grateful to "know" some of these amazing horses thanks to your groups' efforts. Years ago on a rainy Thanksgiving weekend at Ocean Sands (I think) when the whole area was dark with only a few people there in those winter days (maybe 1978), I was trying to decide about an offer to start teaching riding lessons again in addition to my real job, after several years off from lessons. Several of the ponies hung out of the rain all weekend under the house and my decision could have not been more clear. The result was a wonderfully successful 20 year lesson program back home in West Virginia. I've always been grateful to those messengers and for the work you all do to protect them.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund how is Gus?

Things have come a long way since we first started going down there in the mid 70s. As more people discovered the area, more cars meant more danger for the horses. Even though I no longer visit the area, I’m so pleased that the animals are being protected and managed with so much concern and attention. Thank you! 🐴

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks 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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Oh no! When did Raymond pass? I must have missed the noticed.

✨Thank you for giving his pasture mates access to Raymond’s remains so they would understand that Raymond didn’t just disappear and then continue to look for him. Animals understand death and they grieve their loss. Thanks to all of you who give of your time to care for these beautiful creatures always with an eye towards what is truly best for them and doing your best to help them to remain free, while having a safe place for them to land as a last resort.

Thank you for stepping in and giving these beautiful animals the care they need🐴

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

On the morning of Wednesday, October 30, we made the difficult but necessary decision to euthanize Raymond the mule due to a small scrotal hernia that occluded the affected loops of his small intestine.

We believe that Raymond was in his late 20s. He was the offspring of a wild Banker mare and a donkey that lived with the herd before there was a domestic livestock ordinance in place. He was actually Raymond Jr (or maybe even Raymond III) - his sire the donkey was the original Raymond. He was also known by locals as Jack, Rebel, Burrito, and probably a few other choice nicknames over the years.

Raymond spent most of his life in the wild and lived just like the horses - he had a harem of mares, raised foals (even though they weren’t biologically his - mules are sterile), and fought other stallions for territory. He had a reputation for being fierce, and most of the stallions gave him a wide berth. Because he was a hybrid, Raymond did not have all of the physical adaptations we see with the Banker horses and as a result had issues with his hooves throughout much of his life. When he was younger they would grow out and break off without any intervention, but as he got older and less active he was unable to self-trim. Late in 2017 we sedated Raymond and trimmed his feet in the field, which helped him for a while. But by the following year they had grown back out and he had become severely lame, so we made the decision to take him to the farm where we’d be able to provide him the care he needed.

We were a little worried that Raymond would have a hard time adapting to life on the farm, but he quickly showed us that we should never underestimate him. He settled right in and figured out how to wrap us around his hooves, and for the next five years our lives would revolve around him. We were able to correct many of the issues with his hooves and keep him sound and comfortable, he was put on a diet more appropriate for a mule his age, and he even agreed to being halter trained. We built him his own pasture where he didn’t have to worry about other horses challenging him (turns out he really wasn’t all that fierce, he was just very defensive) and we did our best to accommodate and indulge in all of his many quirks and idiosyncrasies. After we rescued Blossom last year she and Raymond lived together at the farm as they had in the wild, and they were both so happy to have each other’s company.

Our goal for Raymond, especially over the last year or so, was to keep him content and comfortable. We knew that should he become seriously ill there wasn’t much we could do for him due to his age, other underlying health issues, his temperament, and the fact that we could no longer safely anesthetize him. Quality of life was the most important part of his care plan, and he was definitely a very happy mule right up to the moment he passed away. It doesn’t make the loss any easier or less heartbreaking, but there is certainly a lot of comfort to be taken from that.

Finding the words that fully encapsulate Raymond’s extraordinary life and his place in our history is proving to be quite difficult. There will never be another one like him, and his death is the end of an era. He is the closing chapter on a way of life that does not exist here anymore. He was everything a Banker is supposed to be - resilient, adaptable, smart. He was truly the salt of the earth.

We will remember him fondly and miss him dearly. It’s way too quiet around here without him hollering at us.

Raymond touched so many lives and was adored by so many people. We’d like for you to help us write his eulogy by visiting this special page on our website that we’ve set up for him. Please share your memories, photographs, and condolences so that we can celebrate his life together: www.corollawildhorses.com/remembering-raymond-submissions/

Rest well, Raymond.

**Media outlets have the permission of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to share the information and photos in this post. ... See MoreSee Less

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This is so sad 😭 RIP Raymond❤️

He was my favorite to visit. Godspeed good boy. Job well done. Thank you CWHF for giving us the opportunity to know and love him. Condolences to all of you as well. Sure he leaves a huge quiet hole in everyone's heart.

I always loved hearing updates about Raymond and his unique personality. My kids and I so enjoyed seeing Raymond at the farm. I am so sad, but thank you for giving him a great life in his golden years ❤️❤️❤️😭

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

This is what Fall looks like on The Northern Outer Banks! 🍂

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Gorgeous. How many babies did we end up with this year?!

Best time of the year for all the locals!! 🐎

Is there a typical time of day the horses roam the beach?

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 month ago

On Thursday, October 17 when our herd management team located Flint to check on him he was noticeably more listless than he had been the last time he was seen, had increased drainage coming from both nostrils, and an odor that was indicative of a tooth infection. This is not something a horse his age, in his condition, can survive without intervention, especially going into the winter. After consulting with our veterinarian, we decided to bring Flint to the farm for x-rays since there was still a chance that we could do something to take care of the infection and then give him a safe “retirement” for the rest of his days.

(If you missed our first post about Flint you can read it here: www.facebook.com/corollawildhorses.org/posts/931410095687407)

The following day we were able to catch Flint and bring him to our farm. We administered antibiotics and painkillers, and he spent the weekend happily eating the grass that had been growing in our medical paddock all summer (much softer and easier for him to chew than hay or the rough forage in the wild). He really enjoyed getting scratches around his ears, eating as many sweet, ripe persimmons as we’d give him, and resting his old body in the sun.

On Monday our vet came over to examine him, and x-rays indicated that he had no functional teeth left - they were all cracked, broken, or entirely missing. He was also suffering from a severe sinus infection and had packed organic material where the missing teeth had been, along with inspissated purulent material. There was really nothing left to fix inside his mouth, and any attempts to do so would have just caused more damage and discomfort. Based on the state of his teeth, along with other physical characteristics, we determined he was at least in his late 30s. At that point there was no question that the best thing for Flint would be to help him pass safely and peacefully.

Flint was laid to rest in a quiet spot in the woods at the farm, next to his son Danny.

The history of the Outer Banks is told in legends - from the Lost Colony to Blackbeard to ponies in the hulls of grounded Spanish ships. The stories are woven into the fabric of what we know to be the true history - inseparable and true in their own right. There have been horses over the years whose stories have become legendary - Black Bess, Star, Little Red Man, Amadeo, Chaos, Raymond. They help us tell the history of the Banker horses and their relationship to this land, to us, and to each other. They serve as reminders of the strength, adaptability, and steadfast perseverance that has allowed this herd to flourish here for hundreds of years. They are a testament to the work that CWHF has done to protect, preserve, and responsibly manage this endangered breed.

Flint, after 40 years of life on this beach, has become a legend now too. His story certainly did not die with him; it lives on in his countless offspring and the mark he left on the herd, and in the memories of him that we will share for many, many years to come.

Rest well, Flint. It was truly an honor.

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These horses are a treasure of our past and present. Thank you for everything you do. I'm so glad I wrote The Diary of Carlo Cipriani to bring them to life when they first came to the Outer Banks.

Rest easy !

It's the best gift that can be given...a peaceful end. Thank for your care of these majestic creatures.

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 months ago

Last week we posted about Flint, an old stallion we’ve been monitoring for the last couple months as he approaches the end of his life. He is not the only older horse we’ve been keeping a close eye on recently. Yesterday we euthanized a mare named Mocha who was in her late 20s, and who, like Flint, had been slowing down and in declining body condition for the last several months.

Mocha went down sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning and was spotted by some contractors working on a house. They did the right thing and reported it to us, and once we determined that she was definitely unable to get back up we called our vet who made the trip across the sound to humanely euthanize her. She died peacefully and quietly, and was laid to rest in a safe, secluded spot in the place that had been her home for her entire life. This is what we hope for every wild horse in the herd.

Mocha was very wild and rangy, blind in one eye, and tough as nails. She lived most of her life in the marsh and we didn’t see her too often. She was the kind of horse you feel guilty touching even after death, because she would have never wanted nor tolerated that in life. This morning there was a rainbow right over the spot where Mocha died. We’d like to think it was a thank-you for respecting her wildness and letting her live and die with the dignity she deserved, and a reminder to stay hopeful for the future of this herd.

Rest easy, Mocha.

*We’d like to thank Tab WinborneCorporation for getting our vet back and forth across the sound so quickly yesterday - we so appreciate your support and kindness during these stressful, difficult situations.

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You lived a long life , on your own terms Mocha ❤️ Run wild with the others who have crossed the rainbow bridge.. thankful 🙏 for this message about her life and hopeful that the others will live as long as she did… wild and free

Such a beautiful tribute. Seeing the rainbow must have been the most beautiful occurrence. It made me have tears, just seeing the picture. Thank you for your compassion and continued caring for those magnificent horses. 🐴🌈❤️

So very thankful for the Contractors contacting you and the Vet for doing the right thing for Mocha and the Tab Winborne Corporation for getting the Vet to you all!!! Mocha is now well and healthy running free for ever with all the other horses!!! So very thankful for all y'all do for these Beautiful Wild Horses🙏🙏♥♥

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