Back to Kidstuff

The Feral Horses
of Carrot Island

Beaufort residents and visitors alike enjoy watching the feral horses as they roam over the inside barrier islands across from the town's main street. These islands are now known as the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve. It is easy to see these “ponies” that have never seen a saddle most any day as you drive, walk, run or bike on Front Street along the Beaufort waterfront. These horses range over the small islands across Taylor's Creek, 100 to 200 yards away from the bustling waterfront.

The horses that now call the reserve home are descended from domesticated horses taken to the islands to graze years and years ago. Today they roam the sandy expanse, living in small bands called harems. Each harem consists of one stallion, several mares and the year's foals. Bachelor males roam the island alone or in pairs. These bachelors are either older stallions who have lost their harem to younger, stronger males or stallions who have not yet challenged the dominant males.

For a time in recent years there was a battle over removing the Beaufort horses, with claims made by some officials that they were an “exotic” species and would ruin the islands. The efforts of Beaufort and area legislators won out, and now the horses are protected. For decades, people in Beaufort have kept a watchful eye on them, even taking forage over to the islands in bitter winters.

The islands that make up what is now the reserve are Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, Carrot Island and Horse Island, though folks debate where one leaves off and another begins, depending on the tides. But the tides do not bother the horses, which now number about 40; they will simply swim from island one to another when necessary.

The horses are compact and naturally small, usually less than 14 hands high, and their rugged appearance is a result of living in the wild. The people who work for the estuarine reserve do not feed the ponies because to do so would affect their status as wild animals. The horses must find food and water on their own. Food comes in the form of various salt-marsh grasses that grow on the tidal flats and low dunes. Drinking water comes from temporary freshwater pools. When they have to, the horses sniff out rainwater that's trapped beneath the soil and use their hooves to dig down until they reach the fresh water.

The mainland is not the only vantage point from which to enjoy the feral horses. The best opportunity to come upon one or more of these animals is on the reserve itself. Fortunately, quick trips to the Rachel Carson site are available from several ferry services in Beaufort. While walking about these pristine islands that seem untouched by civilization, you may look up to see a few ponies watching you from just a few yards away, wondering what you are doing there. You can also take a kayak trip around the reserve.

For more about the Rachel Carson Component of the North Carolina Estuarine Research Reserve and nature walks of the islands, see our Attractions chapter.

Back to Kidstuff