Majestic wild horse ‘well known’ to Outer Banks tourists has died, NC officials say
A wild stallion known for leading around a “harem” of blonde mares has died on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, officials say.
Junior had to be euthanized June 11 “due to severe colic,” the nonprofit Corolla Wild Horse Fund reported in a June 17 Facebook post. He was in his 20s, officials said.
“Junior was well-known on the beach as the lead stallion of the ‘blonde harem’ that lived around Penny’s Hill,” herd manager Meg Puckett wrote.
“He was steadfast in his kindness and sensibility, extremely respectful and naturally well-mannered. ... He did not have a patient bone in his body, though. ... He will be greatly missed.”
Junior is among the stallions that have been famously photographed brawling on beaches in front of tourists. Stallion fights are typically over mares or turf, and can be vicious, including bites and bone breaking kicks.
Junior had to be removed from the wild to a farm after he nearly choked to death on an apple he swallowed, the fund reported. That near-death experience was followed by two serious bouts with colic.
Colic is a general term for abdominal pain and is a leading cause of death in horses, experts say. Causes can include intestinal disease, infection and issues with feeding, experts says.
Junior appeared to have recovered after colic surgery in February, but became ill again, officials said.
“He spent the last five months happy and comfortable on the farm, going for walks to eat grass several times a day, getting scratched and loved on by everyone who walked through the barn,” Puckett said.
“We are grateful for the extra time we got with him, and also grateful that he was able to pass away peacefully at home. On Tuesday evening when our vet arrived Junior led us over to a pine tree where he often grazed, and that is where we laid him to rest.”
This story was originally published June 17, 2024 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Majestic wild horse ‘well known’ to Outer Banks tourists has died, NC officials say."