Should Domestic Horses Be Allowed In Carova?

Should domestic horses be allowed on the 4WD beaches of Carova where so many wild horses roam? I actually have 3 wild horses grazing outside my office window while typing this.

Here is a copy of an email from Karen McAlpin, Director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, giving her opinion on the issue.

At  4:30 p.m. today, I stopped a group of five riders on the north beach after receiving a call from Kimberlee Hoey, who was patrolling. Several of the riders were openly drinking. They told me that they were delivering horses for Billy Clayton (owner of Barrier Island Eco Tours - wild horse tours given on the two blue buses and at least one suburban plus air boats.) They were completely unreceptive to my request to not ride on the beach as there were several harems along the shoreline, and told me that Mr. Clayton was opening a trail riding business and had built a corral on his property in the 4 wheel drive area. Just prior to my arrival, Kimberlee and at least one deputy observed a wild stallion rush the group of riders. The male rider’s horse reared up and the male rider was thrown. The rider’s ignored all requests and continued north. Kimberlee photographed them riding on the Currituck Wildlife Refuge, which of course is illegal. She notified USF&W.

I also received a call from Lt. Banks and discussed the issue with him. I cannot emphasize strongly enough, the danger presented to the public if Mr. Clayton is permitted to conduct a trail riding business in an area where there could be wild horses at any time. If the experienced rider today was thrown, you can imagine what will happen with inexperienced riders – or worse, children. In addition, domestic horses, even if they are current on their vaccinations, can still be carriers of equine diseases for which the wild horses have no immunity. With the small size of our herd, there is real potential for the entire herd to be wiped out completely. In addition, the new parasites introduced in the manure of the domestic horses have the potential to change the parasite load on the land, adding additional risk. Then there’s the risk to the domestic horses. Mr. Clayton stated to Kimberlee that he would “keep the wild horses away from his horses,” but did not specify how he intended to accomplish this. Also, it is common knowledge that Mr. Clayton is already at very high risk of losing his property. In view of that, what level of care will these domestic horses receive? At the very least, they will need daily hay, grain and water, worming every 6 weeks, sand clear, farrier care, regular vaccinations, and equine dentistry.

Clearly Mr. Clayton is far more interested in personal gain than either the lives of his “customers,” the lives of the wild horses from which he is benefitting, or the horses he has purchased. His complete disregard for the safety of the wild horses as well as his own horses is totally unacceptable. I respectfully request that every effort be made to stop Billy Clayton from operating a trail riding business or any other business that involves the use of horses, as well as to immediately remove any domestic horses from the north beach. I am also requesting that an ordinance be written and enacted that not only prohibits housing domestic horses on the north beach but riding them as well. Aside from the obvious danger created by the presence of the wild horses, there is far too much vehicular traffic, children, and unleashed pets, for horseback riding to be a safe activity on the north beach.

I would welcome discussion on this issue as soon as possible. Karen

Karen H. McCalpin

Executive Director

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

P.O. Box 361

1126 Schoolhouse Lane

Corolla, NC 27927

252-453-8002

www.corollawildhorses.org