Behind the Scenes with North Carolina’s Pony Patrol

The North Carolina Reserve is home to wild Banker horses that roam freely on the state’s pristine barrier islands. While the horses inspire people to visit and appreciate the natural landscape, sometimes they get a little too close. Enter the Pony Patrol: a volunteer group that aims to keep both the horses and their human visitors safe.

The Pony Patrol wrapped up its third successful season this year, building on lessons learned from similar programs like the one at Assateague Island National Seashore and rooted in safety, conservation, and community engagement. 

“Reserve staff began conversations in 2019 with the Foundation for Shackleford Horses and National Park Service representatives at Cape Lookout National Seashore about creating a volunteer program that could support safe, respectful encounters between visitors and wild horses,” says Paula Gillikin, the Reserve’s stewardship coordinator. “The idea was to model a Pony Patrol for the unique environment and visitor patterns in coastal North Carolina.”

While all of the involved organizations contribute to planning and oversight, the Reserve’s expertise in community engagement and training coordination has been invaluable for equipping volunteers with the skills they need, from co-organizing training sessions to ensuring volunteers feel confident and prepared.

“The Pony Patrol plays a vital role in supporting the Rachel Carson Reserve and our partners by helping us educate the public about the wild horse population that makes the reserve such a unique part of North Carolina’s coastal heritage,” says Gillikin. “When the public understands what the horses need to survive and be healthy, they are more likely to give the horses the space they need to thrive. This understanding also keeps our visitors safe.”

Gillikin notes that the public appreciates the horses because they are wild, free, and self-sufficient. For them to remain this way and to be as healthy as possible, they need space away from people to eat, drink, rest, and socialize. Visitors are encouraged to respect a minimum distance of 50 feet, and ideally observe from several hundred feet away. Binoculars are encouraged!

Pony Patrol is made possible by volunteers who greet visitors, answer questions, and gently guide interactions toward behavior that benefits human visitors and the horses. 

“Patrolling the Reserve combined two things I love: nature and horses,” says Pony Patrol volunteer Karen Tomassaci. “Being a volunteer for two seasons has given me a greater appreciation for the beauty in my community. My greatest joy is collecting trash on each patrol, which helps the Reserve remain beautiful.” 

The Reserve is planning to start recruiting volunteers for the Pony Patrol’s fourth and upcoming season this winter.