Hurricane Florence Update 9/15/2018
Wild horses in Carova this morning, enjoying an overcast breeze and some green grass.
Hurricane Florence Update 9/14/2018
Here on the northern Outer Banks we are breathing a sigh of relief today. There may still be some coastal flooding over the weekend but nothing worse than a regular storm or nor’easter. These photos were taken this morning. As you can see, the horses are doing their normal thing – grazing, socializing, and wondering what us crazy humans are all worked up over.
With that being said, please keep our friends to the south in your thoughts. Inland portions of eastern NC are facing catastrophic flooding. Our hearts go out to them and we will post information on how you can help in the recovery efforts over the coming days, weeks, and months.
Thanks to everyone who reached out and offered support and well wishes over the past week. The Banker horses are lucky to have all of you at their backs. If you heard about these special horses for the first time recently, we hope that you continue to follow us as we work to protect and preserve these critically threatened cultural treasures.
We will keep posting updates throughout the weekend, but please rest a little easier knowing the horses in Corolla were spared the brunt of the storm
Hurricane Florence Update 9/10/2018
Hurricane Florence is bearing down on coastal North Carolina and we know everyone is concerned about the horses, so here is our official update:
As of right now, Currituck County (where the horses live) is only evacuating tourists, but Dare County (Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Hatteras, etc.) has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents and visitors. We are hoping that the storm tracks a little further south, sparing the Outer Banks a direct hit. We are expecting high winds, lots of rain, storm surge, and flooding. Most of our staff lives in Dare County.
The horses have lived on this barrier island for 500 years, and they are well equipped to deal with rough weather. They know where to go to stay high and dry and are probably in better shape right now than most of us humans who are scrambling with final preparations. They are much better off without any help from us; anything we might do in the hopes of “protecting” them would probably end up being more dangerous and stressful for them than the storm.
There are currently 18 rescued horses at our farm in Grandy, and right now our focus is on making sure they are ready to ride the storm out safely. They have shelter, but also the option to stay outside. Just like with the wild horses, their instincts will tell them where to go to be safe. We have a generator, we have filled up all of our extra buckets and water troughs, everyone will have emergency ID braided into their manes, and someone will be staying at the farm during the storm. We believe that it is safer to shelter in place, since the majority of the rescue horses are still very newly tamed, not used to being stalled, and not used to being trailered.
We will keep everyone updated as best we can. Thank you all for your concern and well wishes. We respectfully ask that unless you have an immediate emergency regarding a horse, please refrain from messaging us. We are trying to keep all of our lines of communication open and have very little time to respond to messages right now. If you are in the path of the storm too, please be safe!
No Feed, No Approach Initiative Kicked Off
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is pleased to announce the kick off to the “No
Feed, No Approach” educational initiative to help educate tourist and locals alike about the dangers of human interaction with the wild herd.
To kick off the initiative a 10’ x 60’ billboard message has been erected in Coinjock stating “Admire Don’t Feed! Apples and Carrots Kill Wild Horses.” The strong message is intended to make the public aware that wild horses cannot eat any food that is not from their natural habitat of beach grasses.
The public is unaware that their snacks are harmful and often cause painful colic and may result in death.
The billboard was kindly donated, for an indefinite amount of time, by Karen and Mac Quidley, owners of the structure that is on their private land. Payment of the vinyl wrap was provided by CWHF volunteer Kelly Wilkes and its installation was donated by Robert and Carol Givens of RO Givens Signs. Terry Douglas, a horse-loving graphic artist from Richmond, VA, graciously donated the design of the board.
And there is more education to see and hear this season. East Carolina Radio (ECR) and MAX Radio of the Carolinas will run public service announcements expanding on the billboard message about not approaching or feeding the wild horses and the harm that both can bring. Many Duck and Corolla retail merchants are donating time on their marquees this summer to promote the wild horse educational messaging. And property owners in the 4×4 area are posting yard signs to reinforce the no feed/no approach messaging. These signs are available at CWHF’s museum gift shop in Corolla.
We invite any and all locals, community and business organizations, restaurants and merchants to join us in spreading this educational initiative. The community support has been overwhelming and heartwarming, and we believe through stepped up efforts to educate the public, tourists and wild horses will have a safer summer season.
520 Old Stoney Road Suite B * P.O. Box 361* Corolla, NC 27927
www.corollawildhorses.org
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
We Have Moved! New Location Status & Updates
We are excited to announce that we have moved to a new area in Corolla. Our address is now 520B Old Stoney Road and is located in the SW corner of the same complex as the Corolla Visitors Center and ABC Store. Like any move, it is a lot of work, but we are extremely enthused about the new location as it is providing us with a larger space and allowing us to completely enhance the Museum & Education Center.
Here are the current schedules (updated October 29, 2018):
The Store is open! Please come visit! Current hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
We are open weekends: Saturday – Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Museum & Education Center Our anticipated opening is FEBRUARY 2019
Excursions to see the Wild Horses
Our educational excursions to see the wild horses are offered on a limited, selective schedule.
Please call for details!
Reservations are only available by phone or by visiting our gift shop.
Thank you for your support!
The Forgotten Horses
For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Krysta Rutherford has produced a beautifully edited and extensively researched film that looks into the present status of the Colonial Spanish mustang in North America. Her project mainly focuses on breeders and advocates who are working to preserve the different strains of Colonial Spanish horses by promoting the breed’s versatility, athleticism, and kind nature.
The main purpose of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund is to keep the Banker horses wild and free in their native habitat. We do this by controlled breeding through the use of non-hormonal contraception, education, habitat preservation, and breed advocacy. One of our goals is to establish a science-based captive breeding program that will be the foundation of a genetically stable population of Banker horses in captivity.
We applaud the hard work these domestic breeders have put into promoting and preserving the Colonial Spanish breed. The objective of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund is to maintain, as closely as possible, the characteristics that make the Banker horses of North Carolina unique. They are some of the last wild Colonial Spanish mustangs left in the world, and their wild status is a big part of what makes them so special.
Learn more about Krysta’s project.
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The views and opinions expressed in this film are those of the filmmakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the current management of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
Foal Naming Contest – Results are in…Meet Eclipse!
The second foal of the season was born in Carova on July 18. She is healthy and strong, and her mom is in wonderful shape too. The foal’s family includes North Star, a filly that was born last year, along with two mature mares and the stallion. We are looking forward to watching this little girl grow up!
-Update – New Foal Named “Eclipse” ! Thank you for all those that donated and participated in the Foal Naming Contest!
Summer Events – Paint a Mustang & Meet a Mustang!
Paint a Mustang
Bring your imagination and prepare to get messy! This activity is fun for all ages. We provide the paint, brushes, smocks and wooden horse cutouts for you to paint any way you like. Take home a memento of your vacation that also reflects your contribution to a great cause. All the proceeds from this fundraising activity go to the protection of the Corolla wild horses. Weather dependent activity.
No need to register for this event, just come to our store/museum, choose the size you want to paint, and go for it! We also have ornament sized horses in ‘take home’ kits for rainy day activities, or to take home with you.
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00am – 2:00pm
Event Price : $5-$35
Meet a Mustang!
Meet and pet a gentled horse rescued from the wild and learn about the wild horses. Corolla Wild Horse Fund staff and trained volunteers provide interesting information about the history of wild horses and how visitors to the Outer Banks can help save this dying breed. Petting is encouraged and donations are accepted. Open to the public. No registration required. Fridays 10:am – 1pm
New Foal Named Mateo
Drum roll please…the new foal’s name is Mateo! We love it. Finn was a close second. Thanks to everyone who participated in the naming contest. Several people submitted Mateo so we drew names out of a hat and the grand prize winner has been notified. (Photo credit: Coastal Extreme Photography)
Winter 2016 Newsletter
The Winter 2016 Newsletter is available to view online.
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