Ace and Unci Stage a Revolt
The Chincoteague ponies are so used to human interactions and the ebb and flow of the roundups and Pony Penning's epic swim, that sometimes they do it themselves. Miracle Man and his herd notably did their own swim one year, a week early, presumably so he would have less arguing with other stallions in the temporary corral on Assateague.
In 2008 I was standing in the marsh at the edge of Chincoteague, trying to keep my camera out of splash range, waiting for the saltwater cowboys to drive the remaining herd down the streets, over Pony Swim Lane, and into the channel to swim back to another year of freedom on Assateague.
The herd trotted enthusiastically down the muddy, sandy lane, through the marsh grass, hit the water and started swimming.
Except for two ponies. A bay swaybacked mare and a black yearling colt. They turned, confronted the cowboys and their larger horses, and staged a rodeo. They dodged, they ran, they ducked, they dived. Finally the cowboys gave up and let them run back to the carnival grounds, the fire company's corral there, and lots of hay and fresh water.
The bay mare was Unci (Lakota for Grandmother), the black colt was Ace's Black Tie Affair. Ace eventually went on to become a herd stallion, and one of the more recognizable ones, with his long white stockings in back and short white socks in front, as well as a small white spot on the left side (he's actually a minimally marked tobiano pinto).
In 2008 I was standing in the marsh at the edge of Chincoteague, trying to keep my camera out of splash range, waiting for the saltwater cowboys to drive the remaining herd down the streets, over Pony Swim Lane, and into the channel to swim back to another year of freedom on Assateague.
The herd trotted enthusiastically down the muddy, sandy lane, through the marsh grass, hit the water and started swimming.
Except for two ponies. A bay swaybacked mare and a black yearling colt. They turned, confronted the cowboys and their larger horses, and staged a rodeo. They dodged, they ran, they ducked, they dived. Finally the cowboys gave up and let them run back to the carnival grounds, the fire company's corral there, and lots of hay and fresh water.
The bay mare was Unci (Lakota for Grandmother), the black colt was Ace's Black Tie Affair. Ace eventually went on to become a herd stallion, and one of the more recognizable ones, with his long white stockings in back and short white socks in front, as well as a small white spot on the left side (he's actually a minimally marked tobiano pinto).
