My horse lover and I absolutely love spotting mama mare's with their baby foals. We will be heading to Chincoteage Island, Virgina again soon - in hopes of spotting Chincoteague Ponies with their babies.
In the meantime, we are admiring them in these beautiful photographs taken by Equine Photographer Carien Schippers. Pages 10 to 14 have many photos of mom and baby, but try to spot some on other pages too. Link to page 10
My favorite mare and foal photo is Photo CH10-604, on page 11 (or maybe its Photo CH10-0776 at the bottom of page 14). Which is yours?
Showing posts with label Chincoteague Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chincoteague Vacation. Show all posts
Chincoteague Visit - take 3!
Hi there!
Last weekend, the three of us went back to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. We just love it there. The past two years, we went mid-week during the first or second week of June. This year we decided (on a whim) to try it earlier, and quickly booked a few days at our favorite hotel, The Refuge Inn, at the end of April.
It was just as great as always - although there were no baby ponies yet at the Refuge Inn. There were, however, plenty of older ponies to feed and watch and pat though!
Plus, being earlier in the year, the indoor/outdoor pool was heated, with the roof still in place. Jessica just cannot get enough time in the water - ever! She was thrilled with this trip. Our room had horses on one side and a pool on the other - she could not have asked for more! (but, of course, we did do more!)
This time, we took a boat trip around the South end of Chincoteague Island and the Eastern coast of Asseteague. It was awesome! We went with "Captain Charlie" of Chincoteague Cruises. Being pre-season, I was able to reserve it just a few days in advance, and we were the only people on the boat. (His max is 6, so you'll have a small group no matter what.)
I could tell right away that Captain Charlie loves what he does. He later mentioned how much he still truly loves boating around the islands. I know he does many of these trips each day, but he was fully attentive to us, and in no way did the trip feel "routine". He had great enthusiasm for it.
He was also very knowledgeable and spoke to us totally on our level, as though we had all made fast friends. Even if we had not seen any horses (ponies!) along the way, it would have been very enjoyable just to see the coastlines and the boats fishing the bay between the islands.
Of course, we DID want to see some horses... and we were able to. While no ponies happened to be right along the coast during our trip, we were able to view two wild herds using the provided binoculars. Both herds included a newborn (score!).
We will likely go to Chincoteague again this summer, and definitely will go during pre-season in future years. We will continue to stay at the Refuge Inn, and may well book another Chincotegue Cruise with Captain Charlie.
Last weekend, the three of us went back to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. We just love it there. The past two years, we went mid-week during the first or second week of June. This year we decided (on a whim) to try it earlier, and quickly booked a few days at our favorite hotel, The Refuge Inn, at the end of April.
It was just as great as always - although there were no baby ponies yet at the Refuge Inn. There were, however, plenty of older ponies to feed and watch and pat though!Plus, being earlier in the year, the indoor/outdoor pool was heated, with the roof still in place. Jessica just cannot get enough time in the water - ever! She was thrilled with this trip. Our room had horses on one side and a pool on the other - she could not have asked for more! (but, of course, we did do more!)
This time, we took a boat trip around the South end of Chincoteague Island and the Eastern coast of Asseteague. It was awesome! We went with "Captain Charlie" of Chincoteague Cruises. Being pre-season, I was able to reserve it just a few days in advance, and we were the only people on the boat. (His max is 6, so you'll have a small group no matter what.)
I could tell right away that Captain Charlie loves what he does. He later mentioned how much he still truly loves boating around the islands. I know he does many of these trips each day, but he was fully attentive to us, and in no way did the trip feel "routine". He had great enthusiasm for it.He was also very knowledgeable and spoke to us totally on our level, as though we had all made fast friends. Even if we had not seen any horses (ponies!) along the way, it would have been very enjoyable just to see the coastlines and the boats fishing the bay between the islands.
Of course, we DID want to see some horses... and we were able to. While no ponies happened to be right along the coast during our trip, we were able to view two wild herds using the provided binoculars. Both herds included a newborn (score!).
We will likely go to Chincoteague again this summer, and definitely will go during pre-season in future years. We will continue to stay at the Refuge Inn, and may well book another Chincotegue Cruise with Captain Charlie.
A One-Time Horse Riding Lesson For Your Horse Lover
The lesson was a full half hour, with all one-on-one with an instructor. The instructor had her trying to walk the horse through cones, and all kinds of interesting things!
We arranged for the lesson without advance notice, and only had to wait 15 minutes or so for it to start - in their indoor arena. The Pony Center has plenty to do, so we really were not "waiting". We "met" a bunch of their ponies, watched a film on the early Pony Round Ups, and explored the amazing selection of horse stuff in their shop.
Upon completing the lesson, Jess was given a large ribbon, was grinning ear to ear, and could not stop talking about "her pony". So, even if your daughter is an unlikely equestrian, a one time horse riding lesson is a fabulous way to indulge her love of horses - an experience which will last a lifetime!
If your daughter takes a one-time lesson, either in Chincoteague, or anywhere, please tell us about it here!
Cindy--- a Horse Lovers Mama!
I Took My Horse Lover to Chincoteague Virginia
If your daughter or grand-daughter loves horses and ponies, and you are on the East Coast, you MUST take her to Chincoteague Island, Virginia!
Chincoteague Island is a barrier Island located just off the coast of Northern Virgina, with Asseteague Island just a short 100 feet beyond it. The legend goes that a 16th Century Spanish Ship, traveling to the new world, ran ashore in the stormy, shallow sea. The horses in its cargo-hold were then left to fend for themselves. Many of the ponies managed to find their way to dry ground, evolve to their new surroundings on Asseteuge Island, and create generations of "Chincoteague Ponies".
Today, Asseteague Island is a National Wildlife Refuge and remains home to the free roaming Chincoteague Ponies. Chincoteague Island provides access to Asseteague island, and is a horse lover's delight!
Of course, those of us with young horse lovers in our lives know that is not enough! No worries, though! To ensure your daughter gets plenty of face time with plenty of ponies, choose a hotel with their own Chincoteague Ponies on site!
We always stay at the Refuge Inn - requesting a Ground floor room on the "Pony Side". The Refuge Inn keeps several mares penned in a large area running parallel to the Eastern side of the hotel. They sell feed for 50 cents a bag. Plus, if you go during May or June - there will probably be BABIES too.
Each morning, our daughter jumped out of bed and pulled back the drapes to "See the Ponies". Here she is feeding them and patting them! She was 5 on our last trip, and we felt comfortable allowing her to go out the sliding glass door of our room, and walk across the narrow parking lot to see the ponies.
With the ponies right next to our room - we visited with them many times each day. It truely makes the trip!
Cindy
PS... Ill report again with more Chincoteague activities for horse lovers!
PPS... You can also enjoy an amazing stretch of non-commercialized seashore on Assetegue, so be sure to bring your beach gear.
Chincoteague Island is a barrier Island located just off the coast of Northern Virgina, with Asseteague Island just a short 100 feet beyond it. Today, Asseteague Island is a National Wildlife Refuge and remains home to the free roaming Chincoteague Ponies. Chincoteague Island provides access to Asseteague island, and is a horse lover's delight!
Make certain your Horse Lover will see ponies on your trip!
While you can drive, bike, and hike through Asseteuge, or take a guided boat door around the perimeter, you will most likely only see pony herds in the distance. Hopefully, you will get lucky and see a few up close!Of course, those of us with young horse lovers in our lives know that is not enough! No worries, though! To ensure your daughter gets plenty of face time with plenty of ponies, choose a hotel with their own Chincoteague Ponies on site!
We always stay at the Refuge Inn - requesting a Ground floor room on the "Pony Side". The Refuge Inn keeps several mares penned in a large area running parallel to the Eastern side of the hotel. They sell feed for 50 cents a bag. Plus, if you go during May or June - there will probably be BABIES too.
Each morning, our daughter jumped out of bed and pulled back the drapes to "See the Ponies". Here she is feeding them and patting them! She was 5 on our last trip, and we felt comfortable allowing her to go out the sliding glass door of our room, and walk across the narrow parking lot to see the ponies.
With the ponies right next to our room - we visited with them many times each day. It truely makes the trip!
Cindy
PS... Ill report again with more Chincoteague activities for horse lovers!
PPS... You can also enjoy an amazing stretch of non-commercialized seashore on Assetegue, so be sure to bring your beach gear.
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