Assateague pony Jojo and her new foal, N6BMT-FQ, who was born in September. | Photo: National Park Service

The National Park Service has completed its September 2018 population census of the wild horses on Assateague Island.

The total population of the Maryland herd is currently at 79 horses—21 stallions and 58 mares. The third foal of the year, a colt designated as N6BMT-FQ, was born in September to N6BMT-F (“Jojo”).

The National Park Service completes a full census of the horse population in Maryland six times per year, in February, March, May, July, September, and November. Managed as a wildlife population, the Assateague horses are free to roam over approximately 27 miles of the barrier island and can be difficult to find at times