Outer Banks Wild Horses

Wild Horses on the Outer Banks

When you come to the beach, the desire to see marine wildlife is understandable. From sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks to crabs, birds, and even the occasional seal, you never know what animal you might encounter while touring these unique barrier islands. One wild animal you might not expect to see however are the wild horses. You may have heard about the Outer Banks wild mustangs that roam the beach in realty ads, magazines, and even popular films but if you’ve never driven up the winding highway to Corolla, you may never have seen them for yourself. Believe us, though, you’re missing out. If you’ve been wondering "What’s with the Outer Banks wild horses?" ...We’ve got the answers.

Wild Horses? What are you talking about?

If you're new to the Outer Banks, or just unfamiliar with Corolla in general, you're probably wondering why we're talking about horses at all. But one of the biggest draws for many folks to come to the Outer Banks is the chance to see these wild horses, who are often brown, tan, and black, meandering through the forests and sand dunes of the northern Outer Banks. The Corolla Wild Horses thrive in the 4x4 area of Carova and northern Corolla, where they can be seen running through the sand, grazing on the grasses in the dunes and maritime forest areas, or gathering together in herds and simply existing as part of the landscape. They're truly a beautiful sight and no trip to the Outer Banks is complete without a glimpse of these horses that are just as naturally at home on the Outer Banks as the seagulls and turtles.

Where Did They Come From?

The wild mustangs of Corolla are not native to the Outer Banks but rather were brought to the “New World” by Spanish explorers. Bringing horses overseas was not uncommon during the time of early explorers as documents show Christopher Columbus brought Spanish horses on his voyages to the West Indies in the 1490s. According to ship logs from the 16th century, among the typical products Spaniards traded (like sugarcane), livestock was a major commodity and this included horses. Specifically, the modern Outer Banks wild horses may have descended from breeds that arrived with the expeditions of Lucas Vasquez de Allyon (who likely landed around modern-day Shackleford Banks in 1521) and Richard Greenville (who frequented the Outer Banks coast for trade purposes between 1584 and 1590).

Other theories speculate that Spanish ships that were lost in the treacherous Diamond Shoals, or perhaps ships that were forced to make landfall due to bad weather, may have supplied the population as the horses could have reached land themselves or may have been released and left behind. Either way, the herd thrived enough to maintain a sustainable population and documentation in the historical archives show evidence that the herd was present along the Outer Banks and Shackleford Banks coast all throughout the last few centuries earning them the name “Banker” horse.

About Banker Mustangs

The term “mustang” is a general term used to refer to feral horses in America that are of Spanish descent so the Bankers are often referred to as wild mustangs. Banker horses are believed to have been descendants of the Spanish Barb and Arabian breeds. Arabian horses are known to have one less vertebra than most other horse breeds and Bankers share that same trait. They also feature a mix of the Iberian convex head as well as a concave head shape. Typically, they are smaller in stature and weigh from about 800 to 1,000 pounds at a height rarely exceeding 14 hands. Usually chestnut, bay, or dun in color, the horses tend to be docile in nature and live on Spartina grasses, sea oats, and other native vegetation. Their freshwater sources include rain water and ground water obtained from the digging of small holes. Rescued Bankers that are adopted are known to remain docile with good stamina and are often used for joy riding. Throughout history, Bankers have been used for beach patrols and hauling equipment. In 2010, NC Governor Beverly Perdue designated the Colonial Spanish Mustang as the official North Carolina State Horse.

Bankers are found in Corolla and three other coastal locations. 1) The small herd of Bankers (roughly 15) found in Ocracoke are managed by the National Park Service. As of 1959, the “Ocracoke wild ponies” were penned in to protect them from vehicle interaction and avoid overgrazing in a 180-acre pen. 2) Similar to the Corolla herd, the Shackleford Banks herd sits at a population of around 120-130. Managed by the National Park Service and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, this herd is protected by federal law and roams freely along 3,000 acres of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. 3) Lastly, a small herd of about 30 – 40 horses can be found at the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve in Beaufort. Managed by the state of North Carolina, this herd arrived on the reserve in the 1940s and may have come over from the nearby Shackleford herd or left by residents of the island. In addition, there is a small herd of about 50 horses that freely roam on private land on Cedar Island.

The herd that exists in Corolla today has over 7,500 acres to roam free although that land is shared with homes, roads and people. In 2007, the Horse of the Americas Registry (HOA) determined the Corolla herd was officially eligible for registration as Colonial Spanish Mustangs.

Wild Horse Tours

If you want to see these beautiful animals galloping along the beach for yourself, a guided Wild Horse Tour is an excellent way to learn more about the Corolla Banker Mustangs and get some great photo opportunities. While you may spot a horse while lounging on the beach yourself, professional tour guides are able to take you across the bumpy beaches and through unique backtown roads where the horses often frequent while answering any questions you might have about the herd. You can drive up on the 4x4 area with an appropriate vehicle on your own or you can take a Corolla wild horse tour from a dependable local company like Bob's Wild Horse Tours or Wild Horse Adventure Tours.

Where to Stay to See the Wild Horses

The Corolla Wild Horses can be predominantly found in northern Corolla and Carova, up on the 4x4 beaches. This is the area of the Outer Banks where the road ends and travelers must air down their tires to navigate this stretch of largely undeveloped beach. 

If you're looking for ease of access to both these types of tours and the 4x4 area, consider staying in one of our beautiful Corolla homes. We've got over 100 homes in Corolla to choose from, stretching all the way from the area right where the 4x4 begins down to where Corolla becomes Duck. Whether you're looking for a small, oceanside condo to accommodate your small family or a large, lavish retreat for the whole family to enjoy, we've got what you're looking for.

Browse Corolla Vacation Rentals Now

Interacting With the Horses

Visitors are highly encouraged to learn about and witness these historic and majestic marvels in the hopes that preservation and conservation efforts will grow. However, it’s imperative for your safety and the safety of the horses that this is done at a safe distance.

Currituck County law addresses human interaction with the wild horses in the Wild Horse Ordinance.

Important items from the ordinance include:

• It shall further be unlawful for any person to lure, attract or entice a wild horse to come within 50 feet of any person or for any person. (Sec. 3-31. – Luring, enticing, seizing)
• It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, torture, torment, cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, wound, injure, poison or subject to conditions detrimental to its health or general welfare any wild horse within a wild horse sanctuary, or to cause or procure such action. The words "torture" and "torment" shall be held to include every act which causes unjustifiable pain, suffering or death. (Sec. 3-33. – Cruelty)
• It shall be unlawful for any person to feed, ride, pet or approach with the intent to feed, ride or pet any wild horse. (Sec. 3-36. – Feeding, riding and petting prohibited)

These laws are not meant to prevent visitors and locals from enjoying the Banker Mustangs but rather to protect them. With such a small population, even one injury, illness, or death can be very detrimental to the herd. Unfortunately, many visitors do not understand the full extent of their actions by assuming the wild herd enjoys the same treats that a domestic horse would like. Sadly, one treat could easily kill the horse who eats it. Additionally, although they may appear calm and inquisitive, keeping your distance is absolutely necessary, no matter what your experience level is with domestic horses. At the end of the day, the Spanish Banker Mustangs are a feral species meaning they are wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. Here are some additional guidelines to follow when you are observing or come in contact with the Corolla wild horses:

• REPORT: If you spot a sick or injured horse, report it to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund or the Currituck County sheriff’s dispatch. Do not try to help the horse as it could injure you or be further injured itself. If you see someone violating an ordinance, report the incident to the Currituck County sheriff immediately.
• OBSERVE: Never come within 50 feet of a wild horse or herd of wild horses. If you are approached by a group of wild horses on the beach, please respect their space and move away per the ordinance.
• RESPECT: Never feed a wild horse. Fruits, vegetables and other snacks can cause extremely dangerous digestive issues that could be fatal.
• PRESERVE: If you would like to get involved in conservation efforts, please visit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund’s website to learn more about making a donation, becoming a member, sponsoring a horse, or volunteering.

Wild Horse Fund

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Formed in 1989, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund (CWHF) was developed to preserve and protect the Banker Mustangs of North Carolina which are deemed as Critically Endangered by The Livestock Conservancy. It wasn’t until 2006 that the organization even had full-time staff so almost all preservation work over the years has been achieved by passionate volunteers eager to preserve a unique part of our state’s history. To manage the population, a Herd Manager documents each horse in a database by using identifiable markers like color and other markings. Field observation is combined with an aerial helicopter count to determine the current herd population. The target population is between 120 and 130 as it is large enough to sustain the population while still preventing other dangers like overgrazing. A population of less than 110 means the horse could be in danger of becoming extinct.

Part of the fund’s goal is to educate visitors about the wild horses. Unlike domestic breeds, Banker horses must maintain a very strict diet and are not equipped to eat fruits and vegetables. When visitors feed a wild horse a snack that a domestic horse might eat, they are putting the horse in very great danger of terrible digestive side effects that could be potentially fatal.

When a horse is injured or falls ill, the CWHF will bring in equine vets to treat horses in the field when at all possible. Bankers are not able to be removed from their habitat and kept among domestic horses fore care and then returned to the wild due to the risk of spreading a domestic disease to the wild herd who lack immunity to surive the illness. In addition, horses brought to a care center are also more likely to approach humans due to the human interaction which is very dangerous for the wild herd. If not possible to treat them in field, there are cases when a horse is too ill so CWHF must capture the horse and care for them in a rehabilitation center. Those who make full recovery are available for adoption and are housed at a 21-acre facility in Grandy.

Seaside Vacations is proud to partner with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund as a CWHF Community Cares Partner. By partnering with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, we aim to ensure these beautiful creatures continue to thrive for generations to come. Together, we can safeguard this cherished piece of Outer Banks heritage and inspire visitors and locals alike to cherish the natural wonders of our home.