Swimming Ponies

Something special happens off the coast of Northern Virginia every summer. Wild ponies go for a swim between the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague!

The ponies have lived on Assateague Island for more than 400 years. Since the 1920s, the ponies have been herded across a narrow body of water between the two islands each summer.

When they arrive on Chincoteague, the ponies get their annual checkups. Some are auctioned off to new homes. About 35,000 visitors watch the swim and auction from the shore.

The pony auction raises money for Chincoteague’s fire department. It also helps preserve Assateague’s ecosystem. The island is only big enough for a population of about 150 ponies. The line graph on the next page shows how many ponies were auctioned off each year. Why do you think this number changes?