Potomac Ponies Make Muddy Branch Crossing

Hundreds of people gathered in Montgomery County to watch the Potomac wild ponies make their annual swim across Muddy Branch, the first year of the new tradition.

The 19 stallions and 39 mares were released into Muddy Branch Park in July after the Potomac Horse Center, unable to reach a lease agreement with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, closed permanently.

“Travilah Cowboys” on horseback rounded up the ponies, who then swam the tributary and came ashore on the west side of Quince Orchard Road, where the ponies will live feral most of the year.

“There's Misty! I see her!” nine-year Henry Marguerite squealed upon seeing his favorite mare from riding lessons enter the chilly stream.

The new tradition will raise money for North Potomac's volunteer fire company as the herd grows and some are sold to Darnestown Rendering to control the population. Parks officials say Muddy Branch can sustain about 250 ponies.