Dawn Beach Walk on Assateague Island

Early this morning, the Saltwater Cowboys of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company trailered their mounts to Assateague's north end.  As the sun rose, the herds of Chincoteague ponies were released from the northern holding pens, and they were herded onto Assateague Island beach, to move down the surf-line until they reached Tom's Cove.  Then they were moved onto the Beach Road, and guided to the wooden Holding Pens at the Cove.  If the weather is nice, there are usually thousands of people on hand to watch the Beach Walk - seeing the stallions, mares and foals travel south on the beach, with the ocean as a barrier on their left and the Saltwater Cowboys on their right. For me, it's one of the highlights of Pony Penning.  Today, any strays still wandering loose will be herded in by the cowboys - and every pony will be looked over by a veterinarian, as well as the representatives of the National Chincoteague Pony Association, to certify sire and dam for the foals. More than likely, Maureen Beebe will be at the Holding Pens sometime this evening, or tomorrow evening, to look over this year's foals...  I miss talking to Maureen.  I also miss talking to Walt Clark.
The Daily Times, the local Salisbury newspaper, has posted a photo gallery of the Saltwater Cowboys and the ponies taken over the weekend.  The photos may be viewed at:
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=A7&Dato=201207&Kategori=ESN&Lopenr=207230801&Ref=PH    -  then click on the Pony Round Up thumbnail photo....
  My kits are fine; Rosie, Remy, Boo and Mona are fine.  The Thore menagerie is fine, as are Tugger and Sasquatch.  Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Ramsah.  She had a short spell of shallow breathing, during which we took her to the vet.  She passed away within 20 minutes.  She is buried near her adopted brother, Indie, by a pond and with a great view of cat-tails and wild ducks.