Donate to Ensure the Future of Wild Marsh Ponies

Hello. My name is Nichole Bradley. I am one of the people who has taken on the long term care of the Wild Marsh Ponies that once roamed free in the Horse Island area of Beaufort, SC. I am raising money for the ponies long term care. Please read their story below.

The Wild Marsh Ponies have lived in the Horse Island area of Beaufort County, South Carolina for many decades.

The ponies are ancestors of the Marsh Tacky horses. In the 1960’s a herd of Shetland Ponies were imported and subsequently bred to the Marsh Tacky’s. The herd size grew as large as 50-60 at one time.

Overtime the land was sold and the ponies remained. Some were captured and removed, but a herd remained of mixed Shetland & Marsh Tacky lineage, now know as the Wild Marsh Ponies.

The land was then purchased around the year of 2000. At this point only 4 ponies remained. During the next 12 years or so the owners of the land were providing hay and feed for the ponies. The herd grew to 22 horses by 2014. The ponies eventually found their way into danger by searching for “greener grass”. Unfortunately the roaming ponies became a danger to themselves as well as the public. One pony was even struck and killed by a car on Seaside Road. Concerned residents and the Beaufort County Animal Control determined something needed to be done to protect the ponies and the public’s safety. The property where they roamed was also being sold.

A community meeting was held to discuss the future of the ponies and an agreement with the new owners of the property was obtained. The plan was to reduce the herd and to find homes for the ponies that continued to break out.

A retired veterinarian in the community agreed to put together a coalition to bring the ponies into a catch-pen for health checks, geldings, vaccinations, coggins test and hoof care. THIS WAS 10 YEARS AGO (2014)! With several well qualified veterinarians, county employees, volunteers and a Ferrior the ponies were all vetted. Several of the ponies had major health concerns due to long term inbreeding. All stallions were gelded.

In 2016 Hurricane Mathew and then 2017 Hurricane Irma hit the islands. The area received high storm surge and there was major damage to the ponies habitat. Severe salt damage to many trees and salting of pastures/grass areas resulted in much reduced grazing areas for the ponies. The ponies fresh water source was also destroyed.

After much back and forth. Some agreements and some disagreements the remaining 7 Marsh Ponies were removed. Animal control, veterinary staff and volunteers helped assist in the removal of the ponies on November 6th, 2024. The entire process went smoothly. The herd was split into two. Three of the ponies, two of which once were removed now live on a private farm in Bluffton, S.C. The remaining four live on a private farm in Yemassee, S.C.

Both of the families who have graciously taken on the responsibility of caring for these ponies plan to have the ponies stay with them in their care until their lives come to a close.

The ponies now range in age from 10-20 years old. They have all settled into their new homes wonderfully. They have received vet and Ferrior care that they have not received in TEN YEARS! Most of the older ponies have no top teeth from eating the marsh grass and sand. One pony, Passion had to have an eye removed immediately. Now the ponies are fed soaked feed twice per day, hay, fresh water and have shelter. Neither foster plans to turn these Wild Marsh Ponies into “back yard pets”. Both plan to allow them to live mostly unbothered accept when routine vet/hoof care is required.

THANK YOU for reading their story ♥️