07/18/2025
This beautiful filly was born in May - her dam’s first foal and the start of a new generation. She carries with her hundreds of years of endangered and invaluable Banker genetics that she will one day hopefully pass down to her own foals.
In order to do that, she has to grow up safe and healthy. There are many natural challenges to the horses’ survival that we can’t control; that we wouldn’t want to control even if we could. Wild and free means letting nature take its course, even when that’s sometimes very difficult for us. But we do have control over our own actions, and there is a lot that everyone can do to help ensure that no horse’s life in the wild is cut short due to human interference or negligence.
Please give the horses plenty of space - especially foals. They are impressionable and easily habituated at this young age. Stress and irritation can also cause horses to scatter and move erratically, which can lead to foals being separated from their families. The heat is hard on foals (and older horses too), and if they are constantly moving around they are at risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke. Remember to always stay 50ft away (at minimum!), do not crowd, and please drive slowly and carefully.
If you come across a horse in danger or distress, or witness someone petting, feeding, or otherwise harassing the horses, please call the county non-emergency number: 252-453-3633. They will contact CWHF (we are on-call for emergencies 24/7, 365) and can dispatch law enforcement if necessary.
One careless mistake can lead to consequences that damage generations of rare genetics and decades of careful herd management. Whether you live, work, or vacation on the off-road beaches, you play an important role in the long-term survival of these horses. Thank you for helping us keep them safe, wild, and free!
