News Release

Assateague Island Wild Horse Census Update

New foal N6BMT-FQ with his dam N6BMT “Jojo”

News Release Date: October 9, 2018

Contact: Liz Davis, 410-629-6087

Berlin, MD-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, including 21 stallions and 58 mares. The third foal of the year, colt 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. During each census, horses are identified by their distinguishing characteristics, mapped and counted. Individual horses that are not observed during multiple census periods are presumed dead. In addition to the census, the National Park Service has initiated a new genetic study that will develop updated, more detailed information describing the genetic status and condition of the horse herd in support of the long term fertility control program that was initiated in 1994.