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Bad Behavior At Assateague Island National Seashore

Published Date

July 6, 2020

Though the horses at Assateague Island National Seashore that straddles the Maryland-Virginia border are habituated to visitors, that doesn't mean they're tame. Some visitors haven't gotten that message, and one woman is lucky to be alive despite her ill-advised actions.

The elderly woman figured she could shoo a horse away from a beach blanket with a whack to the behind with a shovel, and the horse nearly took her head off with a kick. Surprisingly, the woman got up and again went after the horse.

In another incident, a man decided he'd show his friends how to ride one of the horses. Other visitors summoned rangers, who cited the man. He faces a potential $5,000 fine.

Park staff try to remind visitors that the horses are wild.

Assateague's horses are beautiful, tough, and wild. They have learned to survive in a harsh environment. Feeding and/or petting them is detrimental to both visitors and horses. Horses can get sick from human food. Those that learn to come up to the road to beg for food are often hit and killed by cars. Visitors are kicked, bitten and knocked down every year as a direct result of getting too close to the wild horses. Treating wild horses like tame animals takes away the wildness that makes them special. Protect your family by respecting theirs. Give the horses the space they need to be wild.

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Comments

Submitted by Gail Bolton on October 19, 2020 - 12:10am.

Personally,  I am very happy they live on this Island. Its THEIR home and if you dont want to visit,  stay home!!!!  


Submitted by Anonymous on April 30, 2021 - 11:17am.

It's there home people need to respect it or don't go 


Submitted by Loui on May 1, 2021 - 9:06am.

The NPS is not seeking the lady b/c legally she didn't do anything wrong.  The horse began eating food or something else.  You SHOULD try to dissuade a wild animal from seeking close contact with humans.  She was just dumb by approaching the horse from behind and whacking its behind.  Get in front of it.

 


Submitted by Richard Hurts on June 12, 2021 - 8:51pm.

Moronic 


Submitted by A Kay on November 21, 2021 - 7:50pm.

Its a damn shame how people come here and disobey the rules of the island.  They try to destroy these beautiful horses by feeding, riding and hitting them.  No people on the BEACH!!


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