Keep Them Safe / Keep Them Wild

Horses have been present on Assateague Island since the 1600s, and free-ranging bands graze in the marshes, saunter along the beach, drink at freshwater ponds, and wander on trails and roads. They are accustomed to human activity but they are not tame. Petting and feeding them causes harmful behavioral changes as they become unafraid of humans and vehicles, and horses that begin approaching vehicles and visitors become more aggressive over time. Horses attracted to roads face an increased risk of injury or death from vehicles, so people should keep their distance and not approach, touch, or feed them in order to protect both human safety and the horses' wild nature.

Maryland · United States