Managed as a wildlife population, the Assateague horses are free to roam over approximately 27 miles of the barrier island. | Photo: Courtesy National Park Service

The National Park Service has completed its May 2019 population census of the wild horses on the Assateague Island National Seashore. The total population of the Maryland herd is currently 76 horses (21 stallions and 55 mares).

() A foal was born during the census—N2BHS-A (“Gokey GoGo Bones”) foaled a chestnut filly (N2BHS-AR)—and one horse died as a result of a natural event. The 31-year-old sorrel mare N6BM sustained a broken hind leg during a fight with another horse. A visitor observed the fight about 6 miles south on the over-sand vehicle zone and reported the event; officials euthanized the mare without delay.

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 wild horses are free to roam over approximately 27 miles of the barrier island and can be difficult to find at times