Foundation for Shackleford Horses

10/03/2026

LAST CHANCE! A few spots remain!

JUST ONE opportunity remains this season to accompany the Cape Lookout National Seashore
horse specialist on a “HORSE SENSE AND SURVIVAL TOUR,” a personal guided tour to learn about the wild horses of Shackleford Banks.

Join Dr. Sue Stuska, and learn about the wild horses’ behavior, their family groups, and how they have adapted and evolved to continue to survive in their harsh barrier island environment. And most importantly, learn what each one of us can do to ensure their continued protection and preservation.

FINAL TRIP OF THE SEASON: Sunday, October 4, departing from BEAUFORT, 9:45-2:00.

You don’t want to miss out. If you wish to attend: MAKE TWO RESERVATIONS!

First, reserve your ferry seat at www.islandexpressferryservices.com or (252) 728-7433.

Second, reserve your place on the walking tour online at CALO’s website. You may also ask questions or have a ranger register you at the CALO Harkers Island Visitor Center, at (252) 728-2250 x 0 or [email protected] (email us your phone number and a good time to call) or come by at 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island NC 28531.

COST OF THE FERRY is $24 for adults and $17 for children (3-11 years old). A limited number of spaces are available.

TO CANCEL: Ferry reservations which are cancelled 24 hours or more ahead of the trip are refundable. If conditions prevent the ferry from running, refunds or opportunities to reschedule will be issued. To cancel a reservation, call BOTH the Harkers Island Visitor Center and Island Express Ferry Services. Someone from the walking tour wait list will want your spot.

THERE IS NO COST for the walking tour.

09/23/2026

JUST ONE opportunity remains this season to accompany the Cape Lookout National Seashore
horse specialist on a “HORSE SENSE AND SURVIVAL TOUR,” a personal guided tour to learn about the wild horses of Shackleford Banks.

Join Dr. Sue Stuska, and learn about the wild horses’ behavior, their family groups, and how they have adapted and evolved to continue to survive in their harsh barrier island environment. And most importantly, learn what each one of us can do to ensure their continued protection and preservation.

FINAL TRIP OF THE SEASON: Sunday, October 4, departing from BEAUFORT, 9:45-2:00.

You don’t want to miss out. If you wish to attend: MAKE TWO RESERVATIONS!

First, reserve your ferry seat at www.islandexpressferryservices.com or (252) 728-7433.

Second, reserve your place on the walking tour online at CALO’s website. You may also ask questions or have a ranger register you at the CALO Harkers Island Visitor Center, at (252) 728-2250 x 0 or [email protected] (email us your phone number and a good time to call) or come by at 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island NC 28531.

COST OF THE FERRY is $24 for adults and $17 for children (3-11 years old). A limited number of spaces are available.

TO CANCEL: Ferry reservations which are cancelled 24 hours or more ahead of the trip are refundable. If conditions prevent the ferry from running, refunds or opportunities to reschedule will be issued. To cancel a reservation, call BOTH the Harkers Island Visitor Center and Island Express Ferry Services. Someone from the walking tour wait list will want your spot.

THERE IS NO COST for the walking tour.

09/22/2026

Happy first day of Fall, y’all!

We think this is the most spectacular time of year to visit Shackleford Banks. Less people, less bugs, and the light—oh, there’s just something about the way the light changes that makes it even more beautiful.

New season, but same rules apply: always stay at least 50’ away from the horses, keep your dogs on a leash, and take your trash home with you when you leave.

Copyrighted photo courtesy of Carolyn Salter Mason, shot with a telephoto lens. All rights reserved.

09/08/2026

Wait, what was that noise?

It’s the collective sigh of relief coming from all around Carteret County, that another 100-day war is in the books.

Not that visitors won’t continue to flock to the coast. Not that we won’t have to remain vigilant about people potentially bothering the wild horses. But hopefully the pace will slow, and the remaining Pony Patrol tours this month will be filled with greeting folks who just want to enjoy observing horses from a safe distance and seeing the horses engage in their natural behaviors.

Shout out to all of our friends in the local service industry—ferry operators, captains, and mates; restaurant and bar staff; hotel and inn staff; and also our partners in law enforcement, who help keep everyone, including the horses, safe. Congratulations on surviving another crazy season; wishing you a peaceful fall!

Island Express Ferry Service
Seavisions Charters
Crystal Coast Ecotours
H2O Captain

Copyrighted photo courtesy of Kaye Jones, shot with a zoom lens and cropped. All rights reserved.

09/06/2026

LAST HORSE SENSE AND SURVIVAL TOUR OF THE SEASON, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4!

MAKE YOUR PLANS (AND RESERVATIONS) NOW!

Missed the Horse Sense and Survival program today? You have 1 more chance to attend the program this year! Join Dr. Sue on the Horse Sense and Survival Guided Walk on Sunday, October 4th.

The tour will start at 9:45 AM at the Beaufort Island Express ticket booth. You will ride the ferry to the West end of Shackleford Banks. Dr. Sue will guide you around the island while explaining how we manage the horses, how to identify horse behaviors, and how the horses survive on a barrier island. The group will re-board the ferry at 1:30 PM and return to Beaufort around 2:00 PM.

To register for the tour, you must do two steps. First, call the Harkers Island Visitor Center at 252-728-2250 x “0” to reserve your spot on the tour. Second, book your ferry tickets by calling the ferry service at 252-728-7433 and asking for Horse Sense trip tickets. Don't forget to pack snacks and wear shoes to walk through the marsh. We hope to see you there!

Image Description: Made with a telephoto lens, a foal scratches its leg. NPS Photo

09/04/2026

One last gasp of summer, and then the “100 Day War,” as our friends in the local service industry call it, will be over. (Sure seems to us like it’s been longer than 100 days.)

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend, if you are spending part of it on Shackleford Banks, but please be mindful of the . Let’s end this summer by keeping our local wild horses safe.

Always stay at least 50’ from the wild horses. If they move away, even at more than 50’, you’re too close. And if you make them move, in this ridiculous heat, that’s just wrong.

When they are on the move, for example, down the soundside beach, they’re likely on their way to water. Don’t interfere with what might be their sole trip to the watering hole for the day.

Don’t get between mares and foals. Foals are often curious, but mamas can become anxious and even aggressive if you interfere with their foals. Someone could get hurt.

Keep your dog on a leash. Not only is it the law, but wild horses don’t care how well behaved your dog is. If a wild stallion feels threatened, he could charge, kick or bite your dog. Spending Labor Day at the veterinary emergency clinic is an expensive and unhappy way to end the summer.

Don’t offer the wild horses any food, and take all your trash, including food waste, with you when you leave.

Last but not least, if you see something, say something. Report a horse or human emergency to 911, for all other incidents, call the non-emergency dispatch at 252-726-1911.

Cape Lookout National Seashore
Island Express Ferry Service
Seavisions Charters
Crystal Coast Ecotours

**Copyrighted photo courtesy of Sheridan King, shot with a zoom lens. All rights reserved.

09/01/2026

And that’s a wrap!

The summer sensation, the Pony Patrol Photography Exhibition, held in celebration of our 30th Anniversary, and hosted by our friends at Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center at its 806 Store and Gallery, has officially come to a close.

Thanks to all of you who attended, who purchased photographs, and who voted for the People’s Choice Award. Your choice for the best in show was “June Bug” by Laura Palazzolo!

While all of the photos were amazing, we can’t think of a better choice. After the removal of two foals from Shackleford early last summer, the birth of the filly depicted in this photo in June was celebrated. The Pony Patrollers quickly became attached to her, some might say obsessed with her. Because of her location near the crossover for west end ferry visitors, the Pony Patrollers made it their mission to watch over her, guard her, and steer visitors to a safe distance away from her, ensuring that she was able to grow and thrive.

That the People’s Choice award goes to a photo of this little filly who came to symbolize not only last season, but the heart of Pony Patrol service, is perfect. Just like she is.

Copyrighted photo, entitled “June Bug,” by Laura Palazzolo, shot from a distance with a zoom lens, and cropped. All rights reserved.

08/31/2026

Last day! Last day! Last day!

If you haven’t made it to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Store at 806 Arendell St in Morehead to see our Pony Patrol Photo Exhibition, run, don’t walk! Today is the last day of the exhibit. The store is open until 5 pm.

Vote for your choice for the People’s Choice award. Also, some photos are still available for purchase.

Copyrighted photo courtesy of Sheridan Dold King. All rights reserved.

08/27/2026

Just TWO opportunities remain this season to accompany the Cape Lookout National Seashore horse specialist on a personal tour to learn about the wild horses of Shackleford Banks.

Accompany Dr. Sue Stuska, and learn about the wild horses’ behavior, their family groups, and how they have adapted and evolved to continue to survive in their harsh barrier island environment. And most importantly, learn what each one of us can do to ensure their continued protection and preservation.

NEXT TRIP, Sunday, September 6, departing Harkers Island Visitors Center, 8:30-1:15.

FINAL TRIP OF THE SEASON: Sunday, October 4, departing Beaufort, 9:45-2:00.

Pick your trip; you don’t want to miss out. If you wish to attend: MAKE TWO RESERVATIONS!

First, reserve your ferry seat at www.islandexpressferryservices.com or (252) 728-7433.

Second, reserve your place on the walking tour online at CALO’s website. You may also ask questions or have a ranger register you at the CALO Harkers Island Visitor Center, at (252) 728-2250 x 0 or [email protected] (email us your phone number and a good time to call) or come by at 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island NC 28531.

COST OF THE FERRY is $24 for adults and $17 for children (3-11 years old). A limited number of spaces are available.

TO CANCEL: Ferry reservations which are cancelled 24 hours or more ahead of the trip are refundable. If conditions prevent the ferry from running, refunds or opportunities to reschedule will be issued. To cancel a reservation, call BOTH the Harkers Island Visitor Center and Island Express Ferry Services. Someone from the walking tour wait list will want your spot.

THERE IS NO COST for the walking tour.

08/24/2026

Baby overboard!

Slow down and watch out for the horses (especially the little ones) in the short turn!

Video courtesy of Tony DeLuzio, Crystal Coast Ecotours