Wild Horses in Virginia: Population and Where to See Them

Horse lovers everywhere know and love the 1940s classic novel “Misty of Chincoteague” written by Marguerite Henry. It takes place in Chincoteague, Virginia and the wild horses in the story exist there in real life! But the quaint coastal town depicted in the book isn’t the only place in the state to spot a wild horse. Virginia is home to several herds of wild horses who roam the commonwealth. Let’s explore the origins of these wild horses and where you’re most likely to see them if you visit.

Virginia’s Wild Horse Population

The wild horse population in Virginia is spread across two different areas of the state. One lives in the Appalachian Mountains and the other resides on Assateague Island. Let’s explore how they got there and where exactly we can see them today!

Why Are There Wild Horses in Virginia?

The wild horses living along the East Coast beaches of the state are said to be the descendants of horses that survived a Spanish shipwreck off the coast of Assateague in the 1600s.

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company manages the herds that live on the Virginia side of Assateague Island. Further southwest in the mountains of the Appalachians, the U.S. Forest Service manages the wild horses who live there — with the help of the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association.

The story goes that back in the 1940s, local ranchers wanted a small-statured, hardy horse to survive in the mountains without human intervention. They bred a horse with a pony and the result? Wild horses have been living in the southwestern Virginia mountains ever since.

How Many Wild Horses Live in Virginia?

The wild horse population on Assateague Island is meticulously tracked six times a year to keep the herds below 150 animals. When the numbers get too big, they send enough to auction to bring the population back to viability. This protects the delicate balance of the surrounding ecosystem.

As for the wild horses in the mountains of southwest Virginia, there are over 100 of them roaming the peaks and valleys of the region. Once a year, cowboys round up young colts and eye-catching mares for auction. Just like on Assateague Island, selling these wild horses keeps their population under control. This keeps the horses and their surrounding environment healthy.

3 Places to See Wild Horses in Virginia

There are three spots in Virginia where you’re likely to see wild horses. The first? The coastal shores of Assateague Island.

1. Assateague Island

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company manages the wild horse population on the Virginia side of the island. The Chincoteague Ponies are split into two herds: the northern herd and the southern herd. Each is contained by fences and separated into two management areas of the island.

You can see the southern herd by walking, biking, or driving around the island. Specifically, Beach Road and Woodland Trail hike give you unrestricted viewing access.

The northern herd is much harder to visit. It is a 17-mile round-trip hike on Wildlife Loop to reach the remote areas where the wild horses roam.

2. Grayson Highlands State Park

If we’re talking about remote areas, we have to mention southwest Virginia. Deep within the Appalachian Mountains lies Grayson Highlands State Park, home to even more of Virginia’s wild horses.

Over 6,000 visitors come to the area each year to hike, take in the views, and catch a glimpse of the dozens of wild horses who live there. The horses are easy to spot along sections of the Appalachian Trail that wind through the park. It might be time to take a hike!

3. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

And if you want a challenging hike with two surprises waiting for you at the summit — breathtaking scenery atop the tallest peak in Virginia and wild ponies grazing along the trail — then Mount Rogers is the place to go.

The Appalachian Trail runs through this recreation area. The wild horses bred by local ranchers in the 1940s are common to see here year-round.

How to See Virginia’s Wild Horses

Now that you know where to go to see wild horses in Virginia, let’s discuss how to guarantee a sighting.

Spot Them in Their Natural Habitat

You can’t go wrong with taking a trip to the Virginia coast or getting away to the mountains in the southwest part of the state. The fact that wild horses live there too is truly just a bonus!

There is nothing quite like seeing a wild horse in its natural habitat. If you know where to go (and you do!) then with a little luck and a lot of patience, you’ll spot one.

Visit Grayson Highlands Fall Festival

However, there are other ways to guarantee a wild horse sighting. Like going to a wild horse auction!

The wild horses of Grayson Highlands State Park are auctioned off once a year in September at the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival. This keeps their population under control. Not only can you see them up close and personal, but you also have the chance to adopt one. Talk about wild!

Come to the Chincoteague Pony Swim

Want to know what else is wild? You can watch wild horses that live on Assateague Island cross the channel to Chincoteague each July. This event is called the Chincoteague Pony Swim. The best time to see — and potentially purchase — the wild ponies at Chincoteague is at this annual event and the subsequent auction.

Summary of the 3 Best Places to See Wild Horses in Virginia

Virginia’s wild horses don’t roam the entire state. Instead, they’re found in three specific areas where they’ve been living off the land for years. Let’s recap the places to go if you want to see wild horses in Virginia.