Wild horses are a rare sight in today’s day and age.  The northern tip of the Outer Banks is fortunate to provide a home to 60 wild Spanish mustangs.  The horses roam freely in a 12,000 acre area on the northern beaches of Corolla (Carova Beach), just south of the Virginia border.   

The horses are thought to be descendents of mustangs brought to the New World by Spanish explorers.  It is believed that the horses were stranded here or swam ashore during ship wrecks. 

The Outer Banks wild mustangs are a major piece of Outer Banks history, culture, and economy.  The horses are a large tourism draw, and offer a reminder of the significance of the Outer Banks and horses to the growth of the New World. 

It is believed by many that the horses are facing increased dangers. 

The Currituck Board of Commissioners is holding a meeting in October offering residents of Currituck County an opportunity to voice their concerns and advocate changes.  The meeting will focus on the herd management program that critics feel is hurting the mustangs due to its lower restrictions on herd size. 

The current management plan limits the herd size to 60, but many feel that restriction should be almost doubled.   There is growing concern that the current restrictions may be harmful to the horses’ long-term health. 

It is believed that the herd has survived on inbreeding.  This inbreeding has not adversely affected the mustangs’ beauty or health yet, but over time, this inbreeding could lead to a wide variety of issues detrimental to the mustangs’ health and wellbeing. 

Horse advocates are asking that the management plan be amended to allow the herd to grow to 110 mustangs.  In addition, it is recommended that an exchange program be set up with the wild horses on Shackleford Banks.  The Shackleford Banks horses have the same genetic makeup as the Corolla horses, and surprisingly that herd is 120 strong covering only 3,000 acres.  It is suggested that several mares and stallions be exchanged between the herds to limit inbreeding and protect the overall health of the herd.