ThatвЂ™s partly why approaching, harassing, or feeding any kind of wildlife, no matter how small or familiar, is illegal. Although they appear harmless and even curious about you, horses injure visitors every year.

And, once they learn to beg, they can become aggressive, more likely to get injured by vehicles, and can become seriously ill. Animals stay healthier when you do not feed them. Animals can easily pick up scavenging practices, so never feed them. It is dangerous both for the horses and for people when interactions are too close. Citations are issued when visitors are observed doing so. It is illegal to touch or feed any wildlife. There is no guarantee that by paying the service charge visitors will see horses. The best option is to park at the State Park or National Park day-use area and enjoy a walk along the trails or beach in search of the horses in their natural habitat. When visiting the island to see the horses, be sure to follow all regulations including not stopping or parking along roadways or getting closer than 40 feet to any wildlife. The horses can often be found in the marsh areas, on the beach, or further down the island in the National ParkвЂ™s OSV (Over Sand Vehicle) area. The horses are feral and roam freely throughout the Maryland section of the island, so they can be anywhere at any time. Proper Food Storage - Protect Your Food From Horses Frequently Asked Questions Even then, if horses approach your food, you must move away. Do not take food to the beach unless in a cooler that is zippered or secured with a nylon strap. If horses approach you, back off and retreat to a safe distance. Stay at least a 'bus length' or 40 feet away, but remember that may still be too close depending on the circumstances. Treat the horses with respect - move back and stay safe. These horses are WILD, and they don't behave like domestic horses. For your safety and the safety of the horses, please obey park regulations and do not approach, touch, or feed the Assateague horses.ДЄssateague horses do bite, kick and can carry rabies. Petting or feeding the wild horses may seem like a harmless and fun thing to do, but the consequences can be terrible. вЂ‹During your visiвЂ‹t to Assateague, you will most likely encounter at least a few of the island's most popular residents. To get the best view of this tradition, reserve a spot on a charter boat.The Wild Ponies Viewing the Assateague Horses SafelyвЂ‹ There, the horses are auctioned off to new homes, with the proceeds benefiting the local volunteer fire company.

As with all animals in their natural habitat, do not approach or feed the horses, and give them space.ДЄssateague draws its largest crowds of the year on the last Wednesday of July when it celebrates the annual вЂњPony Swim.вЂќ To prevent overpopulation - which could destroy the herds, as well as other wildlife and vegetation on the island - the Virginia herd of horses is rounded up to swim from Assateague Island to nearby Chincoteague Island between tides, when there is no current. Here, the horses can be found running into the surf or grazing on hay or beach grass. While they are called wild, AssateagueвЂ™s horses are вЂњdescendants of domestic animals that have reverted to a wild state,вЂќ according to the National Park Service.

The park features two herds, with a fence divided between the Maryland and Virginia borders. Visitors flock to see the вЂњwildвЂќ horses on the beach.

Assateague national seashore