Free Roaming Horses in the Eastern US
Wild horses are typically associated with the western United States where about 70,000 of them are spread across 10 states with the majority living in Nevada. The Eastern US is no stranger to wild (or feral) horses though. There are populations in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky.
My own experiences with wild horses are in two locations, the first being coastal North Carolina, where a herd of wild horses has lived on Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island for centuries. From the boardwalk in the harbor town of Beaufort, the diminutive "Banker's horses" can be seen across the sound grazing. There are also horses on Ocracoke Island and further north up the Outer Banks at Coralla.
The second place I have encountered wild horses was in Grayson Highlands State Park while thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. The feral horses in the park there are descended from 20th century stock that was abandoned. In the protected confines of the park, a small her flourishes and routinely greet startled hikers in an attempt to cadge sweet treats from them, which is discouraged by park personnel.
Want to See Wild Horses in the Eastern United States? These Places are the Best - An Equestrian Life
Ponies of the Grayson Highlands < Appalachian Voices (appvoices.org)
Wild Horses of the Outer Banks (nationalgeographic.org)
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