It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in late August as we were driving down Beach Road on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. We had to stop and take a look at the ponies as this mare and her foal were feeding right next to the fence, providing me an opportunity to hop out of the truck and grab a couple shots with the camera. The late afternoon sun made her coat contrast beautifully against the green marsh grass.

This particular pony was quite the sight as she pushed hard against the fence to eat the grass on the other side, never lifting her head. While I kept watching, the pony kept eating. Mouthful after mouthful of marsh grass.

There’s nothing remarkable about a horse eating grass. It’s what they do.  The only thing is, this isn’t ordinary grass. Chincoteague ponies survive largely on saltmarsh grasses. It is a harsh, limited diet, and they spend much of the day grazing just to take in enough nutrition. The salt causes them to drink far more fresh water than an ordinary horse, contributing to the round bellies people associate with the island ponies.

They have adapted to the marsh, but that doesn’t mean the marsh asks nothing of them.

We tend to admire resilience. It sounds victorious. But resilience leaves evidence.

Their bodies bear witness to the place that formed them.

The marsh gives her enough to survive. In return, she carries the marsh with her.