Horses

Shackleford Banks, the southern-most barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore, is home to 120-130 wild horses. This is one of the few places in the eastern United States where wild horses can still be seen. Federal legislation, passed in 1998, protects the horses within Cape Lookout National Seashore. The horses are cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, Inc., pursuant to this legislation and a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 1999.

Horses were introduced to North America by European explorers and settlers. Records show horses living on the Outer Banks for centuries. Genetic research shows evidence of Spanish ancestry in the Shackleford herd. Shackleford adults are relatively small, averaging 12 hands in height (about 4 feet) at the withers (between neck and back). These "Banker" horses, also called ponies and found up and down the east coast, are somewhat related to each other in that they share a similar genetic base and a history of adaptation to life on the Outer Banks.

Every effort is made to keep them wild. They are neither fed nor watered. Natural food sources are present, including Spartina marsh & island grass and Uniola (sea oats). Fresh or brackish water is available in various ponds, pools and digs along the length of the island. In places, the horses dig holes and wait for water to seep up. Protection in storms is afforded by the stretch of rare maritime forest (live oaks) and thick shrubs on the north (sound) side of the island.

Federal regulations prohibit “feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentional disturbing of wildlife.” Violators can be fined as much as $5,000 and spend up to six months in jail.

The Shackleford herd divides itself into approximately 25 harems and, loosely, 7 bachelor bands. Each dominant “alpha” stallion guards a harem containing mares and their young. He directs his harem by “snaking” behavior…lowering his head and moving his neck like a snake…until the mares and foals move where he wants them. Young horses nurse as long as they are with their dam (mother) unless they have a younger sibling. At about two years of age, young fillies and colts leave or are pushed out of the harem. The females join other harems while the males form bachelor bands.

Bachelor bands give the young colts a chance to spar and mature into stallions who can challenge existing alphas; some day these males will be able to obtain a mare and start their own harem. Within and between harems, a hierarchy is maintained by dominance behavior (pinning the ears back, biting, rearing & striking, and kicking). The dominant animals have their choice of grasses and drinking water. Often it is a mare who will lead the harem to water.

To retain the horses’ wild lifestyle while protecting their island home, some management is necessary. Population growth and mortality are monitored. Selected horses are removed during roundups and are adopted by the public or donated to other wild herds. Birth control vaccines, effective for one year, are administered in the field without tranquilizers to selected mares. Removal and contraception choices are made based on matriliniage (how well represented the mare’s line is) and genetics.