<P> The Cumberland Island horses are a band of feral horses living on Cumberland Island in the state of Georgia . Popular myth holds that horses arrived on the island some time in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors . However , it is unlikely that any horses left by the Spanish survived , and more likely the current population descends from horses brought to the island in the 18th century by the English . Cumberland Island became part of the Cumberland Island National Seashore in 1972 , when the National Park Service ( NPS ) took over its management . These horses are similar to the bands of horses living on the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague . There is estimated to be a population of between 150 and 200 horses on the island . Horses on Cumberland Island have a relatively short life expectancy , due to pest infestations , disease and their rugged environment . In 2000 a behavioral study found that instability marks the bands , with large numbers of co-dominant stallions , early dispersal of juveniles , and frequent band - changing among mares . </P>
<P> The Cumberland Island horses are a band of feral horses living on Cumberland Island in the state of Georgia . Popular myth holds that horses arrived on the island some time in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors . However , it is unlikely that any horses left by the Spanish survived , and more likely the current population descends from horses brought to the island in the 18th century by the English . Cumberland Island became part of the Cumberland Island National Seashore in 1972 , when the National Park Service ( NPS ) took over its management . These horses are similar to the bands of horses living on the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague . There is estimated to be a population of between 150 and 200 horses on the island . Horses on Cumberland Island have a relatively short life expectancy , due to pest infestations , disease and their rugged environment . In 2000 a behavioral study found that instability marks the bands , with large numbers of co-dominant stallions , early dispersal of juveniles , and frequent band - changing among mares . </P>
island off coast of georgia with wild horses
island off coast of georgia with wild horses
Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island