Roaming free on Assateague Island are the Chincoteague ponies, a wild, feral breed of horses. With their origins based on a legend, many believe the ponies were survivors of a 17th-century Spanish galleon shipwreck and that their descendants populate the island today.
In The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague, the one-hour documentary gives an in-depth look at the ponies and their history with the nearby Chincoteague Island community. Filmed during the yearly "wild pony swim," the documentary showcases how the herd's owners, the Chincoteague fire company, auction off the foals to keep the population in check.
Following the buyers who come from across the country and Canada for a chance to bid, the documentary spotlights Sabrina Dobbins, a teenager struggling with depression. With hopes of owning one of the wild Chincoteague ponies to help with her recovery, a local non-profit works to make Sabrina’s dream come true.
The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague airs Monday, July 5 at 9 p.m. on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air in high definition on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD in MA; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Live stream the full broadcast schedule at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.
