Wild Horse Tour
Outer Banks
Carova NC
2011

The Colonial Spanish Mustangs of the Outer Banks are a national treasure. In fact, they are revered as the North Carolina State Horse. These hardy little horses are famous for weathering harsh conditions, hurricanes, storms, and a growing human presence on the Outer Banks.

The DNA tests are in and it’s official: our beautiful Corolla horses are derived directly from Spanish stock from the 16th century. How they arrived on the Outer Banks is a long and complicated story, but it’s most likely that they are the living remnants of our nation’s early colonization. A combination of trade, lost goods, sunken ships and bloody battles for land left livestock (and equines) stranded here. Only the strongest would survive.

The Spanish Mustang Registry is satisfied that the Banker Horses, in particular the Corolla strain, are as lineally pure to the 16th century Spanish importations as can be found in North America today, and that they compare closely to the selectively bred South American Spanish derivative stock.

These Mustangs are all pretty much the same three colors: chestnut, bay, and black. Because they descend from just one maternal line, there is very little genetic diversity in the herd.

You might find the occasional white star or white sock, but you won’t find any flashy paints, appaloosas or grays in this group.


The Spanish Mustangs have one less vertebrae in their spines than most horse breeds, a nod to their Arabian ancestry.

Although they are small in stature (about 12-14 hands), they are technically horses, not ponies. If you were to compare one of these small horses with a true pony, you would see the differences in bone structure and conformation.

There are only about 100 Corolla wild horses right now.

Technically, Mustangs are considered feral horses (not wild horses… the only truly wild horse is the Przewalski’s horse). As a result of their feral status, the Corolla horses are considered a “non-native invasive species” according to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. It has been a battle to protect the ponies and maintain herd size.

Did you know that the first horses originated in North America and then spread to Asia and Europe? The horses that remained in North America became extinct about 10,000 years ago and were re-introduced by colonizing Europeans!



https://www.corollawildhorses.com/

https://www.visitcurrituck.com/places/corolla-wild-horses/


The Wild Spanish Mustangs are unique to Corolla and Currituck counties, and you won’t find them in any other part of the world.
The only remaining wild herd left in the world, these horses are a must-see when visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The wild horses were originally brought here in the 1500s on Spanish ships. The shallow nature of the coast off of Corolla and the unpredictable sandbars have caused the area to be known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, and caused many a shipwreck. It is believed that the horses survived such occasions to swim to shore, making a new home for themselves, and they’ve been here ever since.
Whether roaming the sand-streets or enjoying the fine sea mist on the shores of Corolla, these horses are free to wander as they please. They stroll through neighborhoods and yards, pausing to nibble a bite of grass, sea oats, live oak tree leaves or persimmons.
Their legs are short, their bodies stocky and their fur fluffier than domesticated horses. Locals and visitors alike steer clear, out of respect and concern for their protection. Their diets are narrow and their health precarious; the slightest contact with humans can be lethal for the horses. This is why it is so important to never get closer than 50 feet from one of these beautiful creatures.
Although mild in personality, these horses are entirely untamed, and can be quite territorial. Stallions regularly break into battle over mares, food and resources, and visitors are well-advised to keep a healthy distance for fear of spooking one. Although smaller than most horses, they are still extremely strong, and protective of their fellows.
The best time to view these living artifacts is spring, from mid April to the end of May. This is the off-season, meaning that the beaches are less crowded, and it’s also the mating season of the horses.
Whether your stay is a day, a weekend or a month, make time to visit the 4×4 beaches and see if you can spot some wild horses. Better yet, take a wild horse tour or visit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, whose mission is to protect and preserve the herd, and also educate visitors and residents on their history.