The Big Pony Swim

Off the coast of northern Virginia lies the small island of Assateague. There, wild ponies roam free. The horses attract millions of visitors year-round. Every summer though, there’s a special event: The ponies take a celebrated swim to get to their annual checkups.

The wild ponies have roamed the island for more than 400 years, but the swim has been a tradition since the 1920s. Back then, the nearby island of Chincoteague was struggling to raise funds to expand its fire department following a series of devastating fires. Around the same time, the department also took on the responsibility of caring for the ponies. Someone had the idea of raising money for the fire company through a pony swim and auction, which became an annual event.

Wild ponies roam free on the small island of Assateague. The island is off the coast of northern Virginia. The horses attract millions of visitors all year. But every summer there’s a special event: The ponies swim across a channel to get their annual checkups.

The wild ponies have roamed the island for more than 400 years. But the swim has been a tradition only since the 1920s. Back then, the nearby island of Chincoteague had a problem. It wanted to build a bigger fire department after a series of tragic fires. But it was struggling to raise the money.

Around the same time, the department started caring for the ponies on Assateague. Someone suggested using the ponies to raise money for the fire company. They held a pony swim and auction, which became an annual event.

Jim McMahon/Mapman

“As to the actual details, we don’t really know,” says Denise Bowden, who works for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and is the announcer for the swim. “So here we are 93 years later, and as far as the swim itself, nothing has changed.”

Each July, saltwater cowboys—many of whom double as firefighters—herd the animals so they swim across the channel from Assateague to Chincoteague. About 35,000 visitors brave the humid heat and biting mosquitoes to watch from boats and the crowded shore.

“When the first pony hits the water, the crowd goes nuts, and it gives me chills every time,” says Bowden. After the swim, the ponies receive checkups from veterinarians. They are also weighed and measured.

Some swim back to the island, while others are auctioned off to new owners. This is beneficial for both the ponies and the island, which can only sustain a population of about 150 ponies. The auction also raises funds for the fire company, which cares for the ponies year-round.

Bowden was born and raised on Chincoteague, and grew up watching the pony swim every year. To her, it’s unmissable. “I never want to be anywhere else in the whole wide world except right there on that dock on pony swim day,” she says.

“As to the actual details, we don’t really know,” says Denise Bowden. She works for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. She’s also the announcer for the pony swim. “So here we are 93 years later, and as far as the swim itself, nothing has changed.”

Each July, firefighters and other volunteers become “saltwater cowboys.” They herd the ponies into the channel between Assateague and Chincoteague. Then they follow on horseback as the ponies swim across. About 35,000 visitors brave the heat and biting mosquitoes to watch the swim. They look on from boats and from the shore.

“When the first pony hits the water, the crowd goes nuts, and it gives me chills every time,” says Bowden. After the swim, veterinarians give the ponies checkups. Volunteers also weigh and measure the animals.

Some ponies swim back to the island. Others are auctioned off to new owners. The island has room for only about 150 ponies. Moving some of them elsewhere helps the population stay healthy. The auction also raises money for the fire company, which still cares for the ponies year-round.

Bowden was born and raised on Chincoteague. She grew up watching the pony swim every year. And she still loves it. “I never want to be anywhere else in the whole wide world except right there on that dock on pony swim day,” she says.

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