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| Distribution |
In NC, Feral Horses, which have been present along the coast for several hundred years, now are limited essentially to Currituck Banks, from Southern Shores (in northern Dare County) north to the VA line, and to the Beaufort area -- Rachel Carson sanctuary, and parts of Cape Lookout National Seashore (Shackleford Banks).
Originally from North America, horses migrated to Asia across the Bering Land Bridge that connected North America to Siberia. About 10,000 years ago, horses became extirpated/extinct in North America, perhaps mainly due to hunting pressure. They were introduced back into North America by settlers in the late 15th Century, and on many other later occasions. Most "wild horses" now occur on public lands in the western United States. |
| Abundance |
Numerically, quite rare, with populations of several dozen each in Currituck and Carteret counties. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Active year-round. |
| Habitat |
Essentially only on coastal islands, where somewhat open -- dunes, grasslands, and marsh edges, sparingly into openings in maritime shrub or forests. They also range onto lawns, where present. |
| Behavior |
Active during the day. They occur in small to moderate herds, up to a dozen or more individuals. They do considerable damage to native plants by their grazing in marshes and in grasslands. |
| Comments |
Though the public, in general, supports the continued existence of these feral animals along the coast, conservation/management agencies and officials have tried unsuccessful to have the horses removed from various nature preserves, as they do some impact to native species. However, Federal and State laws require the continued maintenance of a minimal number of individuals. |
| Origin |
Introduced |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
SE |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
GNR |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| other_comName |
Wild Horse |
| synonym |
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