CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. - An orphaned wild colt from the Maryland side of Assateague Island is getting a second chance with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s pony herd.
According to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, members of its Pony Committee were contacted Friday, Aug. 14, by National Park Service officials at Assateague Island National Seashore about a bay pinto colt that had been orphaned after his mother was killed in a car crash last week.
After discussing the situation, Pony Committee members agreed to take him in, saying he would be a good fit with the fire company’s current group of buyback foals and could eventually become a stallion in the Chincoteague herd.
On Sunday, Aug. 16, National Park Service personnel and members of the Pony Committee captured the colt and transported him from the Maryland side of Assateague to the fire company’s medical barn. The fire company says he will remain there until he clears a medical quarantine.
The Saltwater Cowboys say the colt is eating and drinking well and has been interacting with some of the mares and foals through a fence. Officials say he has not shown signs of panic or repeatedly called out, which they consider an encouraging sign as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
Because of his age, Pony Committee members say the colt is old enough to be weaned. Once he clears quarantine, officials say several of the fire company’s buyback foals that are also old enough to be weaned will join him for companionship.
The Pony Committee has also decided the colt will not be sold.
Instead, he has been named the “Wesley Bloxom Stallion,” with the nickname “Old Dad,” in honor of longtime Saltwater Cowboy and former Pony Committee Chairman Wesley Bloxom.
Bloxom, who died in 2017 at age 78, spent decades with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and helped care for the famous ponies. WBOC previously reported how fellow firefighters credited Bloxom with passing down much of his knowledge about the Pony Swim and caring for the herd.
The Pony Committee says Bloxom also participated in pony relocations from the Maryland side of Assateague during his years with the fire company.
“It is our hope that this colt will prosper and contribute to the herds as much as Wesley did,” the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company said.
The fire company thanked the National Park Service as well as those who have reached out and donated to support the colt.
After spending the winter under the fire company’s care, the plan is for “Old Dad” to eventually be released with the Chincoteague herd on the Virginia side of Assateague Island.
“He is part of the herd now,” the volunteers said, adding that when he is released, he will roam the island “not as he was born to do but as he was meant to do.”
