ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, Md. - Five new foals born to the Maryland herd of Assateague horses are in need of names.
Naming rights contests are underway for the five foals, according to officials with the Assateague Island Alliance, or AIA. Each year, the AIA and the Friends of the National Seashore conduct fundraising contests to name the newest additions to the herd.
With five new foals born in 2016, AIA said they are able to provide more chances for people to leave a legacy with the wild horses of Assateague Island. The AIA has set up a "Name that Foal" raffle, which is in progress, to name the foal currently known as "N6BMT-FO." Tickets may be purchased until October 31, 2016 and are only available online.
In addition, AIA will hold four Name that Foal Naming Rights eBay auctions. Open bidding will operate on the following schedule (eBay seller AIA2009). The highest bidder during each 10-day online auction will receive the naming rights for that particular foal. Starting bid is $300.
Here's a list of those auction dates:
• November 2-11, N2BHS-O unmarked sorrel colt born 4/18/16
• November 13-22, N2BHS-AO pinto bay colt born 6/28/16
• November 24-December 3, N2BHS-AIO chestnut/sorrel filly with tiny star born 8/4/16
• December 8-17, N10T-JO pinto sorrel colt born 9/27/16
Last year's winning bid was record-breaking and the auction raised $7,900 for Assateague Island National Seashore and the wild horse management program, AIA said.
