A Cowboy of Chincoteague's Pony Express

It can and does happen once in a while when we're running the ponies across the marsh.

What is the most dangerous aspect of the roundup?

Well, there is always a danger when you're on a horse. You know, a horse is a big animal that weighs up to about 1,200 pounds. And if you're chasing a pony and not paying attention, you could hit a limb of a tree and take you off your horse, you know? Anytime you're on a horse, anything can happen.

What are the highest and lowest prices a pony will go for?

The highest we've ever had is $10,500, and the lowest is about seven to eight hundred.

Do all of the ponies always sell at the auction?

Yeah, all of the foals are sold.

And then the parents of the foals go back to the island, correct?

Yeah.

I read that some people or groups think you mistreat the animals. Do you know why they think this?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, I guess. But we are members of the Humane Society of the United States and the SPCA [Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals], and they've both been out there and watched us do everything, and they've had no problem with us. . . . We probably spend between $25,000 and $30,000 a year on veterinarians. It isn't like we just let them go and never see them again during the year. We are checking in on them all the time. If they need their hooves trimmed, they get their hooves trimmed. They get more shots than my horse gets.

Have you ever been tempted to bid on a pony yourself?

I've been tempted a couple of times but never have.

Pony Swim is Wednesday, sometime between

7 and 11 a.m., viewable from Memorial Park on Eastside Road (shuttles available). Auction is Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Carnival Grounds, on Main Street in Chincoteague. Both are free for spectators. The first colt to come ashore will be raffled off. For more information, call 757-336-6161 or visithttp://www.chincoteague.com/pony.