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October 29, 2018/by Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Latest News

All’s Well and Ends WellMay 23, 2025 - 12:40 pm
Introducing FollyApril 11, 2025 - 10:45 am
Riptide Goes to Raleigh!April 9, 2025 - 10:48 am
Announcing the first foal of 2025March 21, 2025 - 2:39 pm
Remembering RaymondNovember 6, 2024 - 1:20 pm

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24 hours ago

Open house at the farm is on for tomorrow! Stay out of the angry ocean and come see the rescued Banker horses in our care instead. 😉

More info: Mustang Mornings at the Farm ... See MoreSee Less

Open house at the farm is on for tomorrow! Stay out of the angry ocean and come see the rescued Banker horses in our care instead. 😉

More info: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RUYXrSSwi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 day ago

Come see us this morning in Duck! 10am on the town green, free and open to the public.We are excited to welcome back the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to the Town Green on Tuesday, August 19, 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

Update - 8/19, 10pm: A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for the 4x4 area of Currituck County (where the wild horses live). This was done to prevent people from being stranded in their homes due to high surf, not because the forecast has changed. It does not change anything about the impact the storm will have on the horses - they have access to thousands of acres away from the ocean. Please be safe if you are heading out tomorrow!

We’ve been getting quite a few questions and concerns today about the hurricane - hopefully this answers those questions and puts some minds at ease.

This herd of wild horses lives in Currituck County, at the northernmost part of the Outer Banks. Their habitat ends at the Virginia state line, and comprises about 8,000 acres of land that includes maritime forest, marsh, and an 11 mile strand of beach. What you see when you drive around the area, take a horse tour, or even rent a vacation home is just a very small part of it. Check out these photos from a recent aerial survey to get a better idea of what the habitat looks like: www.facebook.com/share/19ezRWH1pw/

The Bankers have survived on these barrier islands for hundreds of years and have successfully weathered countless storms. It’s a natural part of life for them and has been for many, many generations. We would never round them up and move them ahead of a storm. It’s completely unfeasible and unsafe for a mile-long list of reasons, and would be a gross overreach from a herd management perspective.

Currituck County is not currently under a state of emergency nor have any evacuation orders been issued for us at this point. Hatteras (Dare County) and Ocracoke (Hyde County) are being evacuated due to the threat of ocean overwash on Highway 12, which will strand people for days if not longer. That is not currently a concern north of Oregon Inlet. For those unfamiliar with the area, the fire station in Carova where the wild horses live is 90 miles north of Cape Hatteras. Here in Currituck we are expecting minor to moderate coastal flooding through Thursday, a high risk of rip currents, and some wind (gusts up to 40mph) and rain Wednesday into Thursday.

The beach may be impassable at times, especially around high tide, but the impact on the horses should be very minimal. Of course, things could change and the unexpected could happen, but all we can do is keep an eye on the forecast, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. Such is life on the Outer Banks.

If you are vacationing here this week, please follow Currituck County Emergency Management for updates and adhere to their directives. Do not put yourself or our first responders in danger by going out into the ocean or driving through water. Please stay safe out there! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

5 days ago

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” -Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

(Photos taken over the last week or so by our staff as they’ve been out monitoring the herd.)

www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 week ago

At approximately 5am on Monday, August 11 a driver called 911 to report having struck a horse in the 2000 block of Sandpiper Road in the 4x4 area of Corolla. At this time we do not have any additional details about the nature of the collision or the driver, as that falls under the jurisdiction of the sheriff’s department.

The horse who was struck was 10-year-old stallion Francisco. He was an otherwise healthy, young stallion with a harem of four mares, a yearling colt, and a four-month-old colt (the colts’ parentage have not been verified by DNA so it is currently unknown if Francisco was sire to either of them). After examining the body, our veterinarian determined that Francisco sustained the following fatal injuries: complete fracture of the radius and ulna, ruptured eye with periocular fractures, fractured ribs with subcutaneous emphysema, and likely ruptured diaphragm with pneumoabdomen.

Our staff has observed the rest of the horses in the harem behaving normally and we have no reason to be concerned for their safety or well-being at this time.

Please drive carefully and be aware of your surroundings at all times. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of obeying all traffic regulations on the 4-wheel-drive. These tragic incidents can be avoided through vigilance and personal responsibility.

*Media has permission to use the information and photos contained in this post with credit to CWHF

www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less

$At approximately 5am on Monday, August 11 a driver called 911 to report having struck a horse in the 2000 block of Sandpiper Road in the 4x4 area of Corolla. At this time we do not have any additional details about the nature of the collision or the driver, as that falls under the jurisdiction of the sheriff’s department. The horse who was struck was 10-year-old stallion Francisco. He was an otherwise healthy, young stallion with a harem of four mares, a yearling colt, and a four-month-old colt (the colts’ parentage have not been verified by DNA so it is currently unknown if Francisco was sire to either of them). After examining the body, our veterinarian determined that Francisco sustained the following fatal injuries: complete fracture of the radius and ulna, ruptured eye with periocular fractures, fractured ribs with subcutaneous emphysema, and likely ruptured diaphragm with pneumoabdomen. Our staff has observed the rest of the horses in the harem behaving normally and we have no reason to be concerned for their safety or well-being at this time. Please drive carefully and be aware of your surroundings at all times. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of obeying all traffic regulations on the 4-wheel-drive. These tragic incidents can be avoided through vigilance and personal responsibility. *Media has permission to use the information and photos contained in this post with credit to CWHF www.corollawildhorses.org$

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

By shopping from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, you are helping the Banker horses and our mission to protect and preserve them with every purchase you make. We are the only place where 100% of the proceeds go to help the horses.

Not only have we added new items to our gift shop in Corolla and online, we are fully stocked with CWHF exclusive merchandise that you can’t find anywhere else. From hats to wine glasses, magnets and ornaments, bottle openers and coasters, t-shirts and keychains, and even locally-made, natural soy candles - we have something for everyone!

www.corollawildhorses.com/cwhf-gift-shop/

And don’t forget to grab an annual Corolla Wild Horse Fund Calendar for 2026!

www.corollawildhorses.com/shop/cwhf-2026-calendar/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Wild ponies and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse - quintessential Corolla for 150 years. 🌟

Happy National Lighthouse Day! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

We would like to thank our Community Cares Partners for supporting the Corolla Wild Horse Fund mission and the wild Banker horses!

When the community comes together and partnerships are formed, everyone wins—especially the horses. 🐴

To learn more about this program and our current partners, visit www.corollawildhorses.com/community-cares/. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

2 weeks ago

Do you want to get up close and personal with a Banker horse in a safe, responsible, and fun way? Then come see us tomorrow at our farm open house!

There are 19 formerly wild Banker horses who call this farm sanctuary home, each with a unique story. Some were rescued due to life-threatening illness or injury, others were sadly removed from the wild due to human-caused habituation. Learn about the history of CWHF, chat with us about our on-going efforts to protect the herd and its habitat, and meet the staff who cares for the horses on the farm as well as those in the wild. It's a great opportunity to better understand how we manage the herd and learn about why it's so important for the public to play an active, supporting role as well.

Plus you might get a smooch from Brio if you're lucky. 😘

More information: www.facebook.com/events/1204545211316588/1204545227983253 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

Y’all stay out of the water today! Ignoring the 🚩🚩puts you and our first responders in great danger - don’t do it!

Years ago one the wild stallions - Amadeo - got chased out into the ocean by a rival, and got caught up in a current. He was swept a mile up the beach before ocean rescue could get a tow strap around him and haul him to shore. He survived by the skin of his teeth and spent his remaining years with us at the farm, but just think about that for a minute. If the ocean can overpower a horse, imagine what it can do to you (or your kid!).

We’ve already had multiple incidents this summer - don’t become a part of that statistic. Stay safe out there! 🌊🚩🚩Ocean Rescue is flying double red flags today. The water is closed for public use. 🚩🚩 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

We’ve had heat indexes in the upper 90s-100° for the last week or so…it’s been a pretty brutal summer as far as that goes. But today is overcast and breezy, and we’ve gotten some much needed rain too. Amazing how quickly the grass greens back up. 🌱🐴 Everyone is enjoying it while it lasts!

All photos taken today.

www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

These photos were taken yesterday afternoon and posted to a different page, and we wanted to address the situation in the hopes that it prevents other people from doing it in the future.

There is a county ordinance that states “it shall be unlawful for any person to feed, ride, pet, or approach with the intent to feed, ride, or pet any wild horse.” You can read the ordinance in full here: www.corollawildhorses.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wild-horse-ordinance.pdf

So, regardless of anything else - how dangerous it is for the people, how dangerous it is for the horses, your opinion on the matter, etc. etc., it is against the law. It is impossible to access the horses’ habitat without going past multiple signs stating that this is against the law - no one can say they didn’t know they weren’t supposed to get close to them. There is simply no excuse for this kind of behavior.

However, we also believe that it is important for people to understand why this is so dangerous and harmful, and this is especially true in this case since there are children involved.

These are wild horses. They may look calm at times, but that does not mean they are safe to approach. This mare in particular has shown aggression towards people in the past, and once even chased a woman and a small child down a dune that they had climbed in an attempt to get closer to her. This is normal, expected behavior - she is a wild animal who does not want people near her, she is territorial, and she is protective of her foal. Even a warning kick could be fatal, especially to a child whose head is level with her rear end. In the photos and video taken of this incident, the mare has her ears back and is clearly agitated that these people are getting so close. She moves away from them and eventually pushes her colt away as well.

Furthermore, there have been multiple stallions fighting over this mare for several weeks now. Both stallions were nearby when this interaction occurred and in a split second they could have been on top of these people.

These children are extremely lucky they did not get hurt. The adults in their group were negligent and put them in great danger by allowing them to approach these horses.

The horse that is being touched is a yearling. Young horses are very impressionable and more susceptible to being habituated than adults. This is a crucial learning time in this young horse’s life, and becoming overly familiar with humans could lead to his removal from the wild. Luckily he has a mother who is not habituated and who will hopefully teach him to avoid people. She did a good job in this instance, but soon enough this colt will be out on his own and at risk of these kinds of interactions without her there to be a good influence on him. Approaching and touching these young horses is incredibly harmful to their development. If they let you get close it does not mean that you are special or that you have some kind of connection with them. It means that you are taking advantage of a young, impressionable animal and doing harm that could change the course of his life and cause generations of genetic damage in an already threatened population.

We are not asking for much here. It is very easy to spend time on this beach without being harmful or destructive. If everyone followed the law and stayed 50ft away from the horses things like this would not happen. It’s so simple, and it will not negatively impact your time here in the slightest. Watch these horses from a distance and give them the space and respect they deserve as wild animals whose home you are extremely privileged to be able to visit.

Thank you to everyone who visits and who does follow the rules - we appreciate you and we are glad that you’re here. We also appreciate everyone who reports these infractions to the proper authorities. If it’s not reported and only posted on social media there can be no consequences.

If you witness someone putting themselves or the horses in danger, please immediately call 252-453-3633 so that law enforcement can be dispatched. ... See MoreSee Less

$These photos were taken yesterday afternoon and posted to a different page, and we wanted to address the situation in the hopes that it prevents other people from doing it in the future. There is a county ordinance that states “it shall be unlawful for any person to feed, ride, pet, or approach with the intent to feed, ride, or pet any wild horse.” You can read the ordinance in full here: https://www.corollawildhorses.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wild-horse-ordinance.pdf So, regardless of anything else - how dangerous it is for the people, how dangerous it is for the horses, your opinion on the matter, etc. etc., it is against the law. It is impossible to access the horses’ habitat without going past multiple signs stating that this is against the law - no one can say they didn’t know they weren’t supposed to get close to them. There is simply no excuse for this kind of behavior. However, we also believe that it is important for people to understand why this is so dangerous and harmful, and this is especially true in this case since there are children involved. These are wild horses. They may look calm at times, but that does not mean they are safe to approach. This mare in particular has shown aggression towards people in the past, and once even chased a woman and a small child down a dune that they had climbed in an attempt to get closer to her. This is normal, expected behavior - she is a wild animal who does not want people near her, she is territorial, and she is protective of her foal. Even a warning kick could be fatal, especially to a child whose head is level with her rear end. In the photos and video taken of this incident, the mare has her ears back and is clearly agitated that these people are getting so close. She moves away from them and eventually pushes her colt away as well. Furthermore, there have been multiple stallions fighting over this mare for several weeks now. Both stallions were nearby when this interaction occurred and in a split second they could have been on top of these people. These children are extremely lucky they did not get hurt. The adults in their group were negligent and put them in great danger by allowing them to approach these horses. The horse that is being touched is a yearling. Young horses are very impressionable and more susceptible to being habituated than adults. This is a crucial learning time in this young horse’s life, and becoming overly familiar with humans could lead to his removal from the wild. Luckily he has a mother who is not habituated and who will hopefully teach him to avoid people. She did a good job in this instance, but soon enough this colt will be out on his own and at risk of these kinds of interactions without her there to be a good influence on him. Approaching and touching these young horses is incredibly harmful to their development. If they let you get close it does not mean that you are special or that you have some kind of connection with them. It means that you are taking advantage of a young, impressionable animal and doing harm that could change the course of his life and cause generations of genetic damage in an already threatened population. We are not asking for much here. It is very easy to spend time on this beach without being harmful or destructive. If everyone followed the law and stayed 50ft away from the horses things like this would not happen. It’s so simple, and it will not negatively impact your time here in the slightest. Watch these horses from a distance and give them the space and respect they deserve as wild animals whose home you are extremely privileged to be able to visit. Thank you to everyone who visits and who does follow the rules - we appreciate you and we are glad that you’re here. We also appreciate everyone who reports these infractions to the proper authorities. If it’s not reported and only posted on social media there can be no consequences. If you witness someone putting themselves or the horses in danger, please immediately call 252-453-3633 so that law enforcement can be dispatched.$

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

We really appreciate the opportunity to engage with our friends and neighbors on the 4x4! Looking forward to continuing to work together to protect and preserve the horses and this special place we all call home. Thanks to everyone who came out to the fire station yesterday! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

3 weeks ago

Join us tomorrow in Grandy for the farm open house! Meet the rescued Banker horses in our care and chat with staff about how the herd is managed. Gift shop will be open too! You can buy a tshirt, an original work of art, or even sponsor one of the rescued horses. More info 👇🏻 ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

It’s going to be very hot again over the next few days. Please give the horses plenty of space! No one likes to be crowded on the beach, including them. 🏖️

If you witness a horse in distress or see people approaching, feeding, touching, or harassing the horses, please call 252-453-3633 so that law enforcement and CWHF can be dispatched.

Have a great weekend and be safe out there! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Wanted to post an update about the old mare with the eye injury since we’ve been getting a lot of calls about her today. People are very concerned that she is standing alone on the beach and we just want to assure everyone that we are monitoring her closely and her behavior has not changed at all in the last month or so.

If you missed the first post about her, you can read it here: www.facebook.com/share/19Dag3XWa9/

She spends most of the day standing on the beach (and sometimes lying down), probably because it’s cooler and there are fewer flies bothering her. Her stallion and the yearling colt that’s with them hang out behind the dunes just out of sight, and come down to check on her multiple times a day. She also goes behind the dunes throughout the day to graze, drink, and rest - she does move around quite a bit, even though sometimes it doesn’t seem like it. Our vet is updated regularly and we all still agree that there is no need to intervene at this time. She is behaving normally for a 40ish year old wild horse in the middle of a very hot summer.

We greatly appreciate everyone who has reached out in concern - always better safe than sorry if you see something that doesn’t seem right. We are taking things day-by-day with her and will step in the minute our veterinarian and herd management team determine it’s appropriate. But for now, we ask that everyone please just give her plenty of space so that she can stay cool and comfortable.

To report emergencies with the wild horses or if you witness people crowding, touching, or feeding them, please call 252-453-3633. They will contact CWHF (we are on-call 24/7) and can dispatch law enforcement if needed. ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

Sorry about the lack of posting lately...it's July. 😅😓 Hot, buggy, and busy! How about a photo dump of life on the northern Outer Banks lately? 🏖

www.corollawildhorses.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

4 weeks ago

The 2026 Corolla Wild Horse Fund Calendar is available now in both our gift shop in Corolla and online! We’re thrilled to showcase the winning photographs taken by our incredible supporters during visits to the Outer Banks. These breathtaking images offer a month-by-month glimpse into the lives and habits of these majestic horses, so you can enjoy seeing the Banker herd all year long.

Shipping is available nationwide!
The Museum and Gift Shop in Historic Corolla Village is open Mon-Fri from 9-3.

www.corollawildhorses.com/shop/cwhf-2026-calendar/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 month ago

This beautiful filly was born in May - her dam’s first foal and the start of a new generation. She carries with her hundreds of years of endangered and invaluable Banker genetics that she will one day hopefully pass down to her own foals.

In order to do that, she has to grow up safe and healthy. There are many natural challenges to the horses’ survival that we can’t control; that we wouldn’t want to control even if we could. Wild and free means letting nature take its course, even when that’s sometimes very difficult for us. But we do have control over our own actions, and there is a lot that everyone can do to help ensure that no horse’s life in the wild is cut short due to human interference or negligence.

Please give the horses plenty of space - especially foals. They are impressionable and easily habituated at this young age. Stress and irritation can also cause horses to scatter and move erratically, which can lead to foals being separated from their families. The heat is hard on foals (and older horses too), and if they are constantly moving around they are at risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke. Remember to always stay 50ft away (at minimum!), do not crowd, and please drive slowly and carefully.

If you come across a horse in danger or distress, or witness someone petting, feeding, or otherwise harassing the horses, please call the county non-emergency number: 252-453-3633. They will contact CWHF (we are on-call for emergencies 24/7, 365) and can dispatch law enforcement if necessary.

One careless mistake can lead to consequences that damage generations of rare genetics and decades of careful herd management. Whether you live, work, or vacation on the off-road beaches, you play an important role in the long-term survival of these horses. Thank you for helping us keep them safe, wild, and free! ... See MoreSee Less

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Corolla Wild Horse Fund

1 month ago

The paint is for the canvas, not your friends’ faces. 🤣 Brio, Buster, and Arrow are doing some artwork right now for today’s open house! (Don’t worry, it’s non-toxic paint and we did wipe it off. 😉)

Come see us at the farm today from 10am-2pm - this painting and others will be for sale, all proceeds benefiting the horses!

More info: www.facebook.com/share/1AvbTwH6c7/?mibextid=wwXIfr ... See MoreSee Less

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