View Full Version : Grayson Highland ponies
Snake Farm
01-28-2011, 23:22
Hey all,
I was just wondering if in order to meet up with some of the 'wild' ponies you would have to go searching for them or you are gonna bump into a herd of them on the trail. Or is it just kind of hit or miss?
Grizzz
Serial 07
01-28-2011, 23:27
hit and miss, but chances are great that you'll have at least one encounter...
wornoutboots
01-28-2011, 23:28
Just walk the AT & you'll see them. FYI- Someone on here will post a sign with instructions on it telling you what you can & can't do when encountering the ponies.
Have fun, it;s an awesome section!
runnergirl
01-28-2011, 23:43
i hiked that section this summer; we saw the ponies several times in the course of the day and a half we were in the area. we woke up to hoofprints in our camp-area. some of them we saw close up, others further away. it was truly a beautiful section!
Mongoose2
01-29-2011, 00:01
They will find you, they are real mooches. Don't feed them or you will have aggressive company, one tried to chew thru my backpack while following me up the trail. Enjoy your trip!
Diatribe
01-29-2011, 00:06
i have video of the ponies harassing me
I stayed at Thomas Knob Shelter one night this past October. The ponies showed up at the shelter as soon as the sun went down. They hung around until sometime after I fell asleep...after 9PM, and I met them again nearby on the trail as I headed out the next morning around 6AM.
They're very accustomed to people staying at that shelter and hang around hoping to get food from the hikers.
Trailbender
01-29-2011, 01:33
I discovered on my thru that they really like crushed crackers and urine. Must be the salt content.
maybe clem
01-29-2011, 03:36
Every time I've hiked through there they've come right up to me. One mare was having a good roll and I wanted to take a picture but when I rustled the baggie my camera was in, she hopped right onto her feet and trotted over, hoping for a treat.
Don't feed them, please.
I wouldn't plan on camping in the park because of how prevalent they are. As I was walking down the trail I had a vantage point where I could see a guy setting up his tent...by the time I got down the hill he had just finished chasing a pony off and was packing up his gear. The deer there are also very tame...they will beg like dogs and even steal food out of your hands.
Big Dawg
01-29-2011, 07:58
repeat,,, never feed the ponies,,,, unless of course it's just a handful of what they normally eat, and you're looking for a photo op.:D
bigcranky
01-29-2011, 10:54
Yeah, you won't have any trouble finding the ponies.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/6/6/20100828hike0730_web_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=42693&c=member&imageuser=266)
Snake Farm
01-29-2011, 14:31
Great pictures and advice guys, thanks.
And dont worry, I will not be feeding the ponies. I need my food. Ponies can eat the grass and i'll eat my snickers.