The herd on the Maryland side of the island consisted of 15 bands and 81 horses according to the December 6 inventory, no change from October.
Two horses were in a bachelor band and one was alone.
Only seven foals were born this year, seven years after the darting program was shut off.
The pesticide of choice was Zonastat-H, a favorite of the advocates.
Not included in the report:
- Ratio of females to males
- Size of breeding population
- Number of sterilized mares
The BLM WHB Handbook indicates the breeding population should exceed 50 animals to maintain an acceptable level of genetic diversity.
The herd likely has an abnormal sex ratio, which the advocates describe as mares living longer, and this may explain why there are so few unattached stallions.
The Assateague Island Alliance updates the lists.
RELATED: Assateague Pony Census, October 2023.
Western Horse Watchers Association 