[Slip18]

You've related this story to us, and I just read your link. But why do the ponies take the five-minute swim? To cool off? Is there an adoption agency on Chincoteague?

Sorry you can't make it, but rest that foot as much as you can.

[Gabz]

But why do the ponies take the five-minute swim? To cool off?

Not to cool off, but to get from Assateague Island, where they live, to Chincoteague Island where they are sold at auction on Thursday. The ones not sold on Thursday swim back over to Assateague on Friday.

They are sold off annually for 2 reasons - to fund the volunteer Fire Company, and keep the herd under 150.