Five Maryland Chincoteague Ponies Recently Died

The Maryland ponies on Assateague Island have been decreased by five since mid-May, with the total number of ponies at 78, counting one foal.  Giggles is pregnant, presumably by Bodacious Bob, so the number will rise back to seventy-nine ponies, if no others are lost.  Bob just had his 18th birthday, and will be a first-time dad.  But he has been raising Happy, Giggles' colt with Joy, for most of Happy's life, so Bob has some experience under his belt...
  In may, it was announced that both Madeline Rose and Dr. Jay had missed two census counts and were presumed dead.  Today it was announced the same had happened with Braidwood and Dani.  It was also announced today that the two-year-old stallion known as Taco Chip, with the given name of Adrianna's Yankee Prince, was euthanized this morning.
  Taco Chip was born in June of 2016 to the stallion Yankee, and the mare Gokey Go-Go Bones.  He was struck by a car on Assateague on 8 August - a week ago.  It happened at 9 pm, and the driver was not speeding on Route 611 when the accident occurred.  The driver was not injured.  Park ranger looked the pony over - his left hind leg was swollen, and he had a cut mid-rib cage on the left.  Park rangers checked on him daily after the accident.  Yesterday, Taco Chip was on the beach with his sire Yankee's herd.  This morning, he was lying down in the marsh and could not stand.  The decision was made to euthanize him.

    The following photos are in honor of those we lost....

Braidwood

Dani

Dr. Jay

Dr Jay onright

Dr Jay on left

Madeline Rose

Adrianna's Yankee Prince

Taco Chip

(on right - Sarah's Sweet Tea on left)

Photo taken Monday, 13 August 2018,  4 1/2 days after accident -

a little over a day before he was euthanized.