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| Photo contributed by Reserve volunteer, Robin Newton. Horses are from the same social group or "harem." Left to right: Sugargoot (lead stallion), Trilobite (subordinate stallion), and Beth (female) in the background. |
The main food supply of the feral horse is
Smooth Cordgrass--Spartina alternaflora.
Despite the harsh conditions the
horses have thrived on the reserve. During the late 1980s and early
1990s the population exceeded capacity. This led to massive malnutrition
and several deaths. The horses are considered a cultural resource;
management action was required using a birth control program. This
coupled with natural mortality helped the population get near the target
number of 30 horses.
The reserve's staff from the
Beaufort office oversees the horse management. Individual horses are
identified, photographed and maintained. Each horse is tracked for
births, general health, social habits and eventually death. Beyond the
birth control program, the horse population is treated as a wild herd.
The
wild horses living on the Rachel Carson Reserve are beautiful and
powerful animals. To many, they represent freedom and wildness for all
to enjoy. Let's all participate in protecting them (and visitor safety)
by giving these majestic wild animals their space. Watching them from at
least a school bus length away (preferably more) will help the horses
retain their wild nature and keep visitors out of the way of fighting
stallions (pictured above) or a mare protecting her foal. MORE including trails as well as rules and safety tips...
