The Columbus Day weekend roundup of the famous Chincoteague ponies has been postponed because of the government shutdown.
The annual event checks the health of around 130 ponies that live on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which has been closed to the public since October 1st.
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Shutdown Hits Tourism in Chincoteague
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The Salisbury Daily Times reports that the fall roundup is one of two held annually which includes taking the mares and foals to the carnival grounds to avoid the hazards of the coastal winters.
Harry Stanley Thornton, chief of the Chincoteague volunteer fire company, which owns the herd told the paper, that the roundup will be rescheduled.
But that date is uncertain until the government shutdown ends.
The fire company’s Facebook page noted that the roundup was cancelled due to “the childish, idiotic action of our government.”