1130E Corolla Village Road
Corolla, NC 27927
(252) 453-8002
OPEN FOR THE SEASON:
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: Closed
Get the latest updates on the Banker horses and our work to protect and preserve them
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We are very sad to report that yesterday morning wild stallion Surfer suffered a fatal kick to the head. His injuries were localized and consistent with a kick from another horse. There was no other trauma to the rest of his body and nothing indicative of human interference. It’s likely he wasn’t even in a serious fight with another stallion; it was an unfortunately well-placed kick that could have just as easily come from a mare.
Surfer was about 15 years old and DNA testing has identified three offspring he produced - Riptide (who lives at the farm now) and Rabbit (who is deceased) in 2019, and a colt in 2022 who is still alive in the wild. His dam Mimosa passed away in 2024 due to age-related issues, and his sire was a stallion named Tyreek who was DNA tested in 2007. On his dam’s side, Surfer’s pedigree goes all the way back to iconic stallions Little Red Man and Star.
Surfer was beloved by staff, residents, and visitors alike. He was stunningly beautiful and charismatic, and carried himself with an air of confidence that always made him stand out. He was very wild and very driven, and today we are taking great comfort in the fact that he died of natural causes without ever having human hands laid on him.
We hope that Surfer’s death serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be for these horses. Even under the best of circumstances, nature can be very unforgiving. Surfer’s genetics were invaluable to the long-term health of the herd, and now his four-year-old son is left to carry on that legacy. We can’t control nature and there’s no guarantee that he will make it into adulthood and produce foals of his own, but we can control our own actions. Please help us give this youngster - and all of the horses - the best possible chance by not habituating them, driving slowly and carefully, and being good stewards of the environment.
Rest easy, Surfer. You will be missed.
*Media has permission to share information and photos contained in this post, with credit to CWHF. ... See MoreSee Less
443 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you to the person who just called dispatch to report people getting way too close to the horses around MP 19.5. Law enforcement is on the way.
Sounds like they are also making it difficult for the horses to get from the beach to the dunes, which is obnoxious on the best of days, but legitimately dangerous in this heat. Back off and give these horses some space!
If you see someone putting themselves or the horses in danger, please call 252-453-3633.
We know we sound like a broken record, but it’s just so imperative that we all work together to keep ourselves and the horses safe. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our little speed demon taking a nap early this morning - and giving his mom a break! (If you missed the video of him zooming around the other day, just scroll down a couple posts and you’ll see it.)
These horses are resting and grazing on a piece of property that a full-time 4x4 resident purchased to keep out of development. It provides cover and safety for the horses along with lots of other wildlife and native plants. Open spaces like this also benefit our human community, and improve our quality of life too.
CWHF is committed to protecting as much of this land as possible, and there are lots of ways that we can work together to make it happen. If you’d like to learn more about how you can become a part of our habitat preservation initiative, visit our website for more information: www.corollawildhorses.com/habitat-preservation-initiative/ ... See MoreSee Less
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
The next two days are going to be hot, hot, hot! No one's gonna be in the mood for nonsense - not us, not the horses, and not the sheriff's department. Please give the horses plenty of space on the beach. They are down by the water trying to stay cool and away from the biting flies.
The heat is much harder on horses than the cold, and becoming overheated can cause a variety of issues that could potentially be fatal. Foals and older horses are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. Crowding and pressuring the horses causes them to move around more than they naturally would, which can result in dehydration and exhaustion. Give them 50ft at minimum and if they approach you please back away and do not encourage behavior that could lead to habituation.
If you witness people touching, feeding, or harassing the horses please call 252-453-3633 so that law enforcement can be dispatched.
Everyone stay safe out there! 🏖️ ... See MoreSee Less
96 CommentsComment on Facebook
Ready…set…GO! 🏁
This colt, born Memorial Day weekend, is giving his mom a run for her money. Luckily she’s an experienced broodmare and very used to these antics. Not her first colt with the zoomies!
This video is a great example of why it’s so important to take it slow and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Foals are especially unpredictable and still learning how to navigate their new world. ... See MoreSee Less
474 CommentsComment on Facebook
If you're heading to the beach this weekend please remember to give the horses plenty of space, always be mindful of your surroundings, and if you see something, say something.
The county non-emergency number is 252-453-3633. They can dispatch law enforcement if necessary and will also contact us. We are on-call for emergencies 24/7, and that is the best and fastest way to get in touch with us.
Have fun, but please stay safe and do your part to protect this endangered herd and their fragile habitat!
www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
No, you’re not seeing double and no, we do not have twin foals - just two in the same harem who look nearly identical.
We have not collected DNA on any of the horses in this group yet so there is no way to know if these foals have the same sire or how closely their mothers are related. Could be genetics, could just be coincidence. Right now it’s easy to tell them apart because they are sticking to their moms’ sides, but in a few months it may become more difficult. We’re hoping that one filly’s mane ends up laying to the right, and the other to the left. 😉
None of the wild horses are branded or tagged in any way; they are identified by markings and colors, scars, territories and associations, and other unique characteristics. But this is not an exact science - only DNA can say with absolute certainty who a horse is and who they are related to. Once these fillies are at least a year old we will collect tissue samples and get their DNA on file so that we, and all other herd managers into the future, will always be able to identify them.
These photos are also great examples of how foals are born a different color from what they’ll be once they’re grown up. Their newborn coat is usually lighter, which helps camouflage them when they’re very young. They shed this baby coat when they’re several months old and that’s when you can start to get an idea of what color they’re going to be as adults. Did you know that it’s actually quite rare for a horse to have a true black coat? Most are actually very dark brown. The only 100% foolproof way to know if a horse is truly black is - you guessed it! - DNA.
Please give these youngsters plenty of space! They are easily habituated at this age, they tire and dehydrate easily, and can get separated from their families in times of stress. Stay 50ft away at all times and if they approach you, please move away from them! ... See MoreSee Less
75 CommentsComment on Facebook
Riptide will be at Dowdy Park in Nags Head on Friday! Free and open to the public - stop by and say hi.🌞 Family Fun Times kicks off Friday, June 5 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Dowdy Park with a very special guest: Riptide the Horse! 🐴
Come meet a rescued, gentled Banker horse and learn more about the wild horses of Corolla, the rescue farm, and the important work the Corolla Wild Horse Fund does to help keep these incredible horses safe and thriving.
Riptide is a seven-year-old stallion who was removed from the wild as a colt due to a serious infection that required life-saving treatment. During the program, Director of Herd Management Meg Puckett will share the story of the wild horses of Corolla and the ongoing efforts to protect and care for them.
Bring the whole family for a fun and educational morning at the park! 💚
📍 Dowdy Park
📅 Friday, June 5
⏰ 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
🎟 Free and open to the public
#DowdyPark #NagsHead #OBX ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
It’s going to be a beautiful day - stay out of that angry ocean and come visit us at the farm in Grandy! Meet the rescued Banker ponies in our care, chat with our staff about how we manage the wild herd, and visit our on-site gift shop to get your CWHF merch and help support all of this work. Gates open at 9am! More info ⬇️ ... See MoreSee Less
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