Cycle of life: Outer Banks herd welcomes new foals, grieves wild mare killed during 'aggressive' mating ritual
After a painful loss just last week, the herd of wild horses along the North Carolina Outer Banks is growing once again.
Last week on June 15, a wild mare named Caroline died during an aggressive mating ritual. According to a post from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, a stallion was seen chasing her and trying to breed her, and witnesses saw her fall to the ground and die nearly instantly – of a broken neck.
"While it it was a devastating loss, it was the result of natural wild horse behavior," wrote the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in a post.
Mere days later, the cycle of life kept turning and the birth of a baby foal was announced: A little colt named Donner.
"He was born as thunderstorms were rolling into the area so we’ve chosen the name Donner (thunder) for him," wrote the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in a post.
Then again yesterday, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund shared more exciting news on a social media post, along with a photo of another beautiful foal, whose name is Doe, being welcomed to the herd.
This filly is about a month-and-a-half old, and she and her mother are in excellent shape, according to the post.
Doe is one of five foals born this year. Just a few months ago, the herd welcomed baby Drum, an adorable dark brown colt who could be seen walking along the shoreline with his parents.
With the exception of Drum, the new foals have all had chestnut coloring.
Doe's birth means there are now 101 members of the herd.
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund reminds visitors to give the horses, especially the foals, plenty of space, writing, "They need time and room to bond with their families and learn the rules of the wild. Foals are impressionable and can habituate quickly so it’s important to admire them from a distance."
For nearly 500 years, wild horses have roamed the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Banding together, they've survived hurricanes and storm surges, even outlasting towns and villages that have been washed away over the centuries.
