Wild Horses

Horse tracking on the island began in 1981 by the University of Georgia.  The National Park Service became involved in 1995 and now conducts the annual count.  In order to keep the conditions consistent each year, the count is conducted at the end of March, beginning of April.   The research is held at the same time of day and the same route is taken.  As of April, 2006, 137-144 horses were counted.  Not only are single horses counted, but horse groups, males, females, age, habitat, conditions, color and markings on horses are also noted.  The most common gathering of horses is near the Dungeness ruins. 

The count helps determine the population growth or decline.  The horses graze at the marshes, dunes, wetlands, meadows and affect plant life, water quality and soil conditions.  More information about the wild horses of Cumberland Island can be found through the National Park Service.