Corolla Wild Horse Fund Museum and Store, Corolla

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund was formed in 1989 by a group of concerned citizens to heighten awareness about the presence of wild horses in the area. As the Currituck Outer Banks became more and more developed, twenty horses were killed or injured by vehicles on Highway 12. Operating under the Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc., the Corolla Wild Horse Fund worked with Currituck County, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and the NC Estuarine Research Reserve to have 7,544 acres of the northern-most beaches defined as a horse sanctuary. By 1996, the remaining horses were relocated behind two sound-to-sea fences. However, approximately 70% of the area accessible to the horses is privately owned and there are already 700 homes built and 3,150 platted lots. The horses are not protected by any special state or federal laws but are protected by the Currituck County Wild Horse Ordinance making it illegal to intentionally come within 50 feet of a wild horse or to lure, entice, harass or feed. The Fund incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit charity in 2001.

Chief Operating Officer: Jo Langone

Herd Manager: Meg Puckett

Trainer: Nora Tarpley

Finance Manager: Tommy French