Wild horses set to become North Carolina state horse

Corolla’s wild horses and others like them are expected to become the official state horse of North Carolina.

The General Assembly ratified a bill today naming Colonial Spanish mustangs as the state horse. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law.

Believed to be descended from Spanish mustangs that arrived here in the 1500s, about 100 wild horses live in the four-wheel drive area of the Currituck County Outer Banks. Another 120 live in Shackleford Banks in Carteret County.

The Corolla herd naturally divides into smaller groups of a lead stallion, a few mares and young horses. Groups can be seen frolicking on the beaches or grazing in the yards of homes behind the dunes. Wild horses are among the most popular tourist attractions on the Outer Banks.

The idea for the legislation came from students at Shawboro Elementary School in Currituck County.