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LATEST NEWS FROM CWHF

All’s Well and Ends Well

May 23, 2025/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Well, we had another exciting morning. Let us preface all of this by saying the ladder is no longer around her neck and the mare and foal are both completely […]

Introducing Folly

April 11, 2025/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

It is a dreary day here in northeastern North Carolina so we figured we’d brighten things up a little by announcing the birth of a second wild Banker foal! This […]

Riptide Goes to Raleigh!

April 9, 2025/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Riptide was in Raleigh and it was historic day for the Corolla Bankers! The Corolla Wild Horse Fund was invited by the North Carolina General Assembly, on behalf of Senator […]

16 hours ago

Join us on Wednesdays this summer for Mustang Mornings on the Farm!

Through August 27, the Betsy Dowdy Equine Center will be open to the public from 10 am – 2 pm. Visit the farm on the mainland in Grandy and meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care on the walking tour, where you can spend time with our staff. At 11 am, attend a free movie screening of The Secret of Corolla, a 32-minute documentary on the Banker mustangs, the culture, and lifestyle of the island. There will be a Q&A directly after the screening with the CWHF staff. From 10 am - 11:30 am, watch a live artist paint the horses right by the pastures!

Suggested donation of $10 per vehicle at the gate.

CWHF shirts, hats, and other gifts will be available. All purchases benefit the horses. You can also sponsor any of the rescue horses. Sponsorship includes a digital photo and certificate, as well as quarterly updates on your sponsored horse.

Learn more at www.corollawildhorses.com/corolla-wild-horse-fund-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 day ago

Come see us tomorrow in Duck! This event is free and open to the public. 🦆🐴We are excited to welcome back the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to the Town Green on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:00 a.m. Come meet Riptide, a rescued, gentled Banker horse and learn more about the wild horses, the rescue farm, and what the Corolla Wild Horse Fund does to keep the horses safe and thriving.

Riptide is a 6-year-old stallion who was rescued as a yearling in the summer of 2020 when he contracted a potentially fatal fungal infection. Riptide spent nearly six weeks in the hospital at NC State while the vets there worked diligently to save his life. He has fully recovered from the infection and has become an excellent ambassador for the Banker breed.

Thank you to Carolina Designs Vacation Rentals for their support in bringing Riptide to the Town of Duck. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 days ago

We’re in first place and double voting has been extended through today! Go vote and it will count twice! 🤩 ... See MoreSee Less

Like this photo? Vote now!

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America’s Favorite Photos: Discover your new favorite photos!

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 days ago

Thanks to everyone who voted yesterday! We won that block! 🎉🥇 Be sure to vote again today because your vote counts TWICE!

Please vote for this photo in the America’s Favorite Photos competition: AmericasFavoritePhotos.com/v/m39sd3

We are in the running to win $10k, and the photographer has generously committed to donating her $10k prize too, which means CWHF could be awarded $20k. Thank you Sharon! And thanks to everyone who is voting every day! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 days ago

🌈 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 days ago

⭐️Sunday update: We won this block of voting!! Thanks everyone! Be sure to vote again in today - it counts double! ⭐️

One of our very talented supporters has entered a photograph of the horses into a contest where the prize for the winner is $10k to the organization and $10k to the photographer, but she has committed to donating her winnings to CWHF too. This means we could potentially raise $20k, but we need your help!

Please vote for this photo in the America’s Favorite Photos competition: AmericasFavoritePhotos.com/v/m39sd3

Thank you for voting and thank you to Sharon for your generosity! 📸🐎 ... See MoreSee Less

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America’s Favorite Photos: Discover your new favorite photos!

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 days ago

“Tell me, what it is you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”

-Mary Oliver, “The Summer Day”

Pictured: Seven of the eight Banker foals born into the Corolla herd so far this year (one of them we don’t have great photos of yet because their family lives in a very remote area and does not venture out often). All are healthy and doing well! Please remember to give them plenty of space if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them.

www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

6 days ago

We are very sad to report this evening that Donner (b. 2023) was found deceased today.

He sustained injuries consistent with fighting with another stallion, including a broken neck. While it is devastating to lose a healthy, young horse from the herd, this is what it means to be wild and free. This kind of behavior may seem brutal to us, but it is a natural part of healthy herd dynamics.

This colt’s death should serve as a reminder of just how fragile life can be for these horses. They face so many natural challenges to their survival; there is no guarantee that every foal will make it to adulthood, even under the best circumstances. We can’t control nature (and we wouldn’t want to) but we can control our own actions. Please give the horses plenty of space, never feed them, and be a good steward of the environment.

Donner’s life was short, but it was wild from start to finish. That is something to be celebrated, even as we grieve.

Rest peaceful and free, young man. We will miss you. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

7 days ago

It’s a beautiful day to visit the farm! Gates open at 10am. More details 👇🏻 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

We’d like to say a special thank you this afternoon to North Beach Recovery for getting us out of a couple bad spots over the last week. It’s always something with these vehicles, and we are very grateful to have someone we can always rely on when we’re halfway up the beach and something breaks, blows, won’t start, or all three at once. 😉

While we’re on the subject of vehicles, now is a great time to remind everyone to please air down your tires before driving on the sand. The beach is in pretty poor condition right now because people are not airing down. Fully inflated tires create a washboard effect in the tracks that beats your truck to death. Bad enough when you’re just here for a day or a week but imagine having to drive on it every single day, all summer long. It’s expensive, frustrating, and avoidable. Please be respectful of the people who live and work on the 4x4 and air your tires down!

More information about how to safely drive and park on the 4x4 beach: currituckcountync.gov/beach-parking/

Driving on the beach is a fact of life here - it always has been and it always will be because it is the only way for people to access their homes. It’s very easy to drive safely and not leave a huge footprint if you follow the laws, take it slow, and always be aware of your surroundings. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

Update on the filly who had to be rescued out of the canal a couple weeks ago - she’s doing great! These photos were taken in the last few days and as you can see she is in excellent condition. She hopefully has a long, wild life ahead of her thanks in no small part to everyone who jumped in (literally) to save her that morning.

In case you missed the original story: www.facebook.com/share/p/19qeqWJDzG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Please remember to give foals plenty of space - crowding and stress can lead to complications that can quickly turn deadly. If you see a horse in distress or witness someone putting themselves or the horses in danger, please call 252-453-3363 so that law enforcement can be dispatched and CWHF notified. Thank you for helping us keep the horses safe! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Tomorrow brings an end to our spring fundraising campaign. We love the opportunity to spend a month sharing a glimpse into our world serving this extraordinary mission. We love engaging with all of you in a way that we hope brings the Bankers home to you wherever you are.

Our final ask this spring of all of you is to become a member of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Being a member provides us the funds that make everything you saw this month possible.

If each one of you were to become a member, or encourage a friend to become a member, at any level, your collective impact will continue to ensure the Bankers live wild and free. For those of you that are already members, please feel our gratitude. If you are uncertain as to whether you are currently a member, please reach out to Marley at marley@corollawildhorses.com.

All of us, together, are a powerful force united to protect the Bankers and preserve their habitat.

To become a member, visit:
www.corollawildhorses.com/memberships/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

The forecast was calling for a 100% chance of rain today but we made it through all 4 hours of the farm open house with barely a drizzle! 🌈 Thanks to everyone who came to visit - we love being able to share these special horses with you.

Same time, same place next week! More info: Mustang Mornings at the Farm ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Tomorrow’s forecast is looking pretty crummy ☔️ but the event is rain or shine! Bring a raincoat and come visit with the horses on the farm. Our gift shop will also be open. More info ⬇️ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

The wild herd of Bankers has lived here on the Outer Banks for hundreds of years. How can you be part of ensuring they continue to live here freely, not only now but for decades to come?

Join The Wild and Free Legacy Society and be part of a like-minded group of supporters that have committed to having the Corolla Wild Horse Fund named in your planned giving. Through this society, we honor the spirit of philanthropy that nurtures and sustains the Fund’s ability to serve our mission of protecting the wild Bankers. We welcome generous and forward-thinking donors who want to support the long-term impact of the Fund through a planned gift. There are several creative and flexible ways to get involved. Whether you consider naming us in your will, donating land for Banker habitat, or making a qualified charitable distribution from your estate, there is a place in the Legacy Society for you.

All who join the Legacy Society in 2025 will be inaugural members and will have a hand in charting the course for our future. There will be specific Legacy Society communications and an open house in the fall.

For more information, email Chris at chris@corollawildhorses.com or click here: www.corollawildhorses.com/legacy-society/

Establishing a philanthropic vision for your future estate is one of the most profound ways that you can continue to be part of a better tomorrow for generations to come. We are so grateful for your willingness to consider the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in your planned giving. ... See MoreSee Less

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2 weeks ago

Today we pause to remember and honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

Well, we had another exciting morning. Let us preface all of this by saying the ladder is no longer around her neck and the mare and foal are both completely fine.

At about 10:30 this morning we received a call that there was a horse with a ladder around her neck. Three of our staff were very close by and found her immediately (she was pretty hard to miss), and several residents had also seen her and came to help. At first we thought maybe if she dropped her head down the ladder would slide off, but every time it hit the back of her ears she would understandably fling her head back up. Luckily she wasn’t all that bothered by it so at least we didn’t have to worry about her panicking and hurting herself or her foal. One of the characteristics of this breed is that they are very level-headed and not reactionary, and this mare was a good example of that today.

We spent about an hour trying to get her into a position where we could get close enough to pull it off but didn’t have any luck with that plan - she was too fast and there is just too much wide open space (this was one of the few times when that is a bad thing!). But we got lucky when she dropped her head to graze at one point and the ladder slipped down over one ear. We all held our breath and thank goodness it fell the rest of the way off. Everyone in the surrounding houses who had been watching from their decks cheered, and so did we. The ladder was retrieved and both the mare and the foal are just fine.

Just another day at the office. 😵‍💫 Sharing here on social media so that hopefully everyone who watched this happen in real time sees the update and can rest assured that all’s well that ends well. If you’ve seen pictures of this posted on other pages or groups, please share the link to this post so that people do not continue to worry!

We’d also like to thank our community for once again jumping in to help when needed. We didn’t even have to ask - you were there and ready to do whatever was necessary to help this horse and we are so grateful. Knowing that we can always count on you makes these very stressful situations a little less stressful.

If you witness a horse in danger or distress please call 252-453-3633. They will immediately notify CWHF and can also dispatch law enforcement if necessary. ... See MoreSee Less

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3 weeks ago

DO YOU OWN A RENTAL COTTAGE?

As we continue to share our spring fundraising campaign with all of you, these final weeks will be all about how YOU can be involved with us. Just a few days ago, we shared the story of Horse Sponsorship. Today, the focus is primarily directed at those of you who own rental properties OR those of you who come stay at a rental property.

We have an amazing program called Owners Are Donors. Through Owners Are Donors, you pledge a certain amount for each week that you rent out. It could be as little as $20 per week! As part of this program, you will receive a personalized graphic for your cottage’s slideshow, a hand-made steel horse plaque to display in your cottage, and a CWHF membership decal. There is no better way to let your guests know that they are staying at a cottage that protects the horses.

For those of you that are guests, we encourage you to share this program with your owners. They may not be aware of this opportunity!

For more information, click here: www.corollawildhorses.com/owners-are-donors-program/

We love partnering with rental property owners through this program. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

Did you know that we currently care for 20 resident Banker horses at our farm on the mainland?

When a wild horse has a potentially fatal injury, illness, or becomes severely habituated, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund consults with our veterinary team and makes a decision in the horse's best interest regarding intervention.

From our youngest rescue who turns four in July to our oldest mares in their thirties, each formerly wild Banker has a unique personality and circumstance that led them to live on the farm. While rescued Bankers have been candidates for adoption before, most of the current rescues require specialized care and will remain with us for the rest of their lives.

Over the years, our horse sponsorship program has had a significant impact on our ability to meet each horse’s needs with ease. By sponsoring a Banker, you help cover costs of rescue, veterinary treatment, medicine, hay, horse trailer maintenance, and essential upkeep of our barns and pastures. On average, the Fund spends around $250 per month on hay for just one horse. Multiple that by 20, throw in medical costs, veterinary check-ups and more, and you'll see why every dollar is essential in providing these horses' the best care possible. We could not do this work without your support.

Become a horse sponsor today or give a sponsorship as a gift: www.corollawildhorses.com/horse-sponsorships/ ... See MoreSee Less

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3 weeks ago

At about 8:00 this morning a resident called to report a foal alone in one of the canals, and then almost immediately after that another person called to report a very distressed mare not too far away. We mobilized, and our staff headed over to where the foal was while a resident kept an eye on the mare so we wouldn’t lose her if she moved. The foal was successfully guided out of the water and then reunited with her mother after a short ride in our truck. She is nursing and behaving normally (though understandably exhausted) and we will of course keep a very close eye on her over the next couple of days. Hopefully all’s well that ends well!

We like to extend a very big thank you to Neal for calling and reporting the lone foal, Ronda and Cherissa for keeping track of the mare, Kimberlee for calling in reinforcements, Roy, Kurt, and Jay for getting the foal out of the water, into our truck, and back to her mom, the Currituck County Sheriff’s department and our wonderful telecommunicators at Currituck County Emergency Management, and everyone from Carova Beach Volunteer Fire & Rescue who heard the call and came to help. Apologies if we missed anyone - so many people jumped into action it was hard to keep track! We are so appreciative and grateful for our community here on the 4x4 - it takes a village and ours is the best!

If you witness a horse in danger or distress, please call 252-453-3633 - they will immediately call us and can also dispatch law enforcement if needed. We are on call 24/7, 365 days a year for emergencies. Please do not hesitate if you think something may be wrong. Always better safe than sorry! ... See MoreSee Less

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LATEST NEWS FROM CWHF

All’s Well and Ends Well

Introducing Folly

Riptide Goes to Raleigh!

PRESS COVERAGE

DECEMBER 2023 – Daisy, Wild and Free

NOVEMBER 2023 – Legendary Horses

OCTOBER 2023 – Currituck County / CWHF Land Initiative

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News

LATEST NEWS FROM CWHF

PRESS COVERAGE

DECEMBER 2023 – Daisy, Wild and Free

NOVEMBER 2023 – Legendary Horses

OCTOBER 2023 – Currituck County / CWHF Land Initiative

CWHF PRESS RELEASES

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

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