OBX.com

If you spend time in the northern stretches of the Outer Banks, particularly north of Corolla, you’ll probably catch a glimpse of a wild horse contentedly grazing among the tough scrub brush and the dunes.

You might not realize it, but you’re actually witnessing history. These gentle horses—known as Corolla ponies or Banker ponies—are descended from Spanish mustangs. The horses have roamed the island for more than 400 years, and according to romantic legend, their ancestors swam ashore from shipwrecked galleons. A herd of approximately 90 horses currently live on 12,000 acres of state, federal and privately owned land. Cared for in part by the non-profit Corolla Wild Horse Fund, these gentle ponies are now an enduring symbol of the Outer Banks.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund now offers a "Trip of a Lifetime." It is not a recreational or commercial horse tour but an educational opportunity. Becoming a member at the Charter or Mustang Defender level entitles the member and either one or three guests to accompany our herd manager for four hours as he goes about his daily herd management duties. It is an amazing experience as members have an opportunity to learn from the expert and experience the wild horses from the perspective of the people who are responsible for their health and safety

The Corolla wild horses still carry one of the major distinguishing features of their ancestors, the Spanish mustangs. Both types of horses have one fewer vertebra than the vast majority of other breeds.