Discover the Magic: The Corolla Wild Horses

As a young person, it’s easy to lose yourself chasing the mystery of the Corolla wild horses. At the same time, it’s just as easy for parents and adults to find themselves under the same spell cast by the horses as they unexpectedly cross the dunes, the wind whipping through their sandy and uncombed manes.

Similar to the shores where the horses have roamed for over four centuries, these horses seem untouched by time and immune to technology’s advancements. Believed to have originally come to the Outer Banks with early Spanish explorers, the Corolla wild horses physically resemble the 16^th Century Spanish mustang.

For Outer Banks goers, it has always been a favorite pastime to “go find the horses.” As time passes and each young person grows into an adult, taking his or her children, nieces or nephews to see the horses for the first time, a new appreciation for their beauty emerges. A true symbol of Corolla, Currituck and all of the Outer Banks, the wild horses have endured many storms and hardships. While a childlike sense of wonder is easily lost to the daily grind, the Outer Banks and the wild horses steadfastly beckon the weary traveler to explore the unmatched beauty of the nearly untouched North Carolina coastline.

Wild horses can be spotted on other Outer Banks destinations as well: Ocracoke Island is home to wild Banker horses and Shackleford Banks is nine-mile long barrier island that serves as a horse sanctuary, just east of Morehead City and Beaufort.

Take a chance, step into relaxation on our shore and catch a glimpse of mystery and wonder. As you take in their beauty, remember that we want to keep the horses wild and free, so don’t try to feed them or get too close. If you have experienced the horses or a similarly magical experience along our coast, share your story with us!