White Mare

by D Hackett

Title

White Mare

Artist

D Hackett

Medium

Photograph - Digital

Description

White Mare by D Hackett

Wild Horses

Cumberland Island National Seashore is one of 7 Atlantic Coast barrier islands with feral horses. While it is suspected that horses may have been brought to and used by the early Spanish explorers, early English historical accounts of horses on Cumberland occur in the mid 1700’s during the Colonial Period. During the Plantation Era of the late 1700’s and early 1800’s horses were used as livestock and work animals on the island. By the Civil War, it is believed that most horses were removed, with animals used for meat and subsistence by soldiers and freed-men. The herd rebounded in the early 1900’s during the Carnegie era. During this time, new horses were released on the island and free-ranging herds were seen around Plum Orchard and other areas of the island. While other Atlantic Coast herds have distinct genetic lineages, recent studies conducted by the University of Georgia and University of Kentucky show Cumberland’s herd is related to several common domestic breeds, which is likely the result of post-1900 introductions.

Cumberland’s horse herd can be considered feral, free-ranging and unmanaged. As such, it functions like a herd of wild animals (white-tailed deer, for example) and receives no food or veterinary care. The park conducts a census annually during the spring to monitor the population. Based on data from the last 12 years, the herd appears to be stable at approximately 175 animals. Horses on Cumberland Island have a relatively short life expectancy, due to pest infestations, disease and their rugged environment. The life span of horses on Cumberland Island is approximately half that of their ancestors, due to infestations of parasites and disease. They also suffer from digestive issues linked to the ingestion of a great amount of sand, which causes intestinal blockages and abdominal distension. Most horses can be found utilizing the grassy habitats of the island like historic landscapes, fields, marsh, and dunes.

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June 13th, 2016

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