What are the Corolla Wild Horses and where did they come from? 

All of us here at Middleton have always known that there was something very special about the beautiful and majestic horse - and the beautiful beaches that line the coast of the Lowcountry and her sister states. So, what happens you combine the two? Something truly spectacular. If you have ever traveled a little north of the Lowcountry and into the Outerbanks, you might have heard about the Corolla Wild Horses, a herd of very special horses that come from a mysterious and long line of majestic ancestors. 

The Corolla Wild Horses are such a special attraction and are so beautiful because they are such a mystery. How did they get to this side of the world and who introduced them into the wild? Today around 400 wild horses making up several different herds that live on the North Carolina stretches of the Outerbanks. They can be spotted between Cape Lookout and Corolla. These incredible animals have survived hurricanes, human settlers, and everything else in between. Even though these horses are wild now, they are descendants of domesticated horses. Many historians believe they are direct ancestors of the Spanish Mustang. But really, how did they arrive here? 

During the days of early exploration and settlement from Europe to the America Colonies, many Spanish ships were caught in the dangerous shallows along the Outerbanks called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Many Spanish ships that were attempting to come to the early colonies and sunk in this graveyard have been found, many dating back to the early 1500s. The Corolla's ancestors could have come from any of these ships because don't forget - horses can swim. They could have been on these ships and have swum to shore after they sunk and took refuge in their new surroundings. But more likely, the Corolla are descended from Spanish Mustangs that were left behind by Spanish Settlers who had to abandon them and head back to their ships after being threatened by Native Americans, sickness, or failure to settle successfully. But let's dig a little deeper into their mystery shall we? 

As I stated above, the history of these horses dates back almost 500 years, making them the oldest settlers in the Outerbanks. The Native Americans are the only other group that is older to American soil than these majestic creatures that first called this land home. Spanish settlers probably brought these horses to our shores, but when? What explorations? One of the first possibilities is that they could have arrived in 1521 with some of the very first explorers to the coastline with Lucas Vasquez de Allyon, a Spanish Explorer. Some speculate that this exploration party landed near Cape Fear and made it as far down in their journey as the Outerbanks. The Native Americans were not thrilled about these new visitors and were not welcoming to them at all. They killed them or forced these explorers to leave quickly and retreat to their ships and leave behind their livestock and crude settlements. There is some thought that the Corolla horses started their lineage here, as their ancestors would have been the livestock left behind. 

A second, more plausible option, happened 60 years later as Richard Greenville was making his expeditions along the North Carolina Coast. His commander, Sir Walter Raleigh, made regular trips along with the West Indies to the early colonies of North Carolina and Virginia to deliver goods to its settlers and had Greenville many of these trips himself. In 1587, Greenville was leaving the West Indies set to deliver goods for his commander to the colonies. Greenville, as historical records go, hit trouble along Cape Fear and then again when the ship hit the shallow waters in the Graveyard of the Atlantic in an area called Diamond Shoals. At least one of the ships that was lost during these troubles contained live wild stock. The animals that survived the sinking could have swum and made it to shore. Some of these animals were also believed to have been the Spanish Mustangs. 

Even though these two historical options are the most documented options, these are plenty of other speculations. But no matter their origin, the mystery of their appearance has been one of their biggest assets. After having been undisturbed for almost 400 years, the herd was almost pushed to extinction in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The herd hit a record low of 40 horses due to inbreeding, eating bad food, and being hit by vehicles. The herd was moved to a more stable beach that could support their needs and promote their growth. But now, thanks to being protected by the National Park Service, the state of North Carolina, and by private funds and sanctuaries, they are ensured to remain for many more generations to come. They are an amazing gem, and truly something special to behold. 

Now, with a rich history and healthy numbers - the Corolla Wild Horses will remain a beautiful staple of the Outerbanks. If you have the opportunity to encounter them, take the chance. You won't want to miss out on seeing these myster

How did one of the most majestic creatures get the term "hands" when they're measured and why is it still used today?

Horses are some of the most beautiful and magnificent creatures alive. They're regal, kind, hardworking, and such fun to ride. But do you know how these beautiful animals are measured? It's with a unit of measurement called a "Hand". Seriously, we aren't making this up! A "hand" is an ancient unit of measurement equal to four inches and is still commonly the breadth of a man's hand.  It is used to measure the horse at the highest point of its withers, which is the highest part of its back that doesn't move. But this unit of measurement doesn't include its head and neck, so even if a horse is 15 hands tall, that's only from the ground to its withers - and it has a beautiful stoic neck and head sitting on top of this "hand" measurement.

The "hand" measurement is written by the whole number of hands followed by the remaining inches of the horse, ex: 15.4 hands. When using this measurement sometimes it takes on the form of a noun - so when referring to the horse, it becomes its number. So if a horse was measured at 15.4 hands it becomes a "Fifteen Four". But where did this unit of measurement come from and why has it stuck around for so long?

The first system of measurement appeared in Ancient Egypt.  Their system of measurement was based on the Royal Cubit. A Cubit is the length of a man's arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Units of various lengths like a Royal Cubit were used by the Hebrews, Greeks, and the Romans. The "Hand" used to include (confusingly) both the fist and the palm and was measured at 7.61cm. This changed in 1541 to clear up any confusion when  King Henry VIII of England decided to change it to the breadth of the hand. This became the traditional measurement of 4 inches.  The actual measurement was based on the palm of the King's hand from one of his statues.  Once the unit was changed under the King's rule, it has been used to measure horses ever since.

Today the measurement of a "hand" isn't used for anything else except measuring horses. Almost everywhere in the world today still uses the "hand" unit except the FEI (International Federation of Equestrian Sports) and most European countries. They use meters and centimeters when measuring the horse. The "hand" measurement is still used today by so many because it has been used for so long. So much of a horse's common measurements are based off of the "hand" and have been for so long that it would be hard to implement a change. Even those countries who have changed it, that still took time to get used to. It is also still a practical way of measuring an animal where ever you might find yourself and is an easy form of measurement to communicate. At least for those who are used to measuring this way!

The largest horse ever to be recorded was named Sampson. He was a Shire Horse Gelding born in England in 1846. He stood at 21.2 1/2 hands high, standing at almost 7.5 feet. The biggest horse in the world today is Big Jake the Belgian Gelding horse. He became the tallest horse in the world on January 19, 2010 standing at 20 hands and 2.75 in tall, which is almost 7 feet tall!

The smallest horse ever to be recorded is Thumbelina, a Dwarf Miniature Horse who was born in 2001. She stands at 17 inches or 4.25 hands!

The next time you come and ride horses with us at Middleton, make sure you ask how many hands tall your horse stands! I bet it will still surprise you even after reading this!​