NC wild horses in 'better shape right now than most' preparing for Hurricane Florence

From the Shackleford Banks as far north as Carova Beach in the extreme northeast corner of the state, North Carolina's beaches are unique for their wild horse populations.

These feral horses – descended from domesticated Spanish horses – have long been an attraction for tourists visiting North Carolina's coast. But even longer – as far back as the 16th century -- the Banker horse has quietly roamed, undisturbed by the tumultuous weather the Outer Banks endures each hurricane season.

As Hurricane Florence threatens to make landfall in North Carolina, concern for these horses is high. Rightfully so, too, as locals and tourists alike desperately try to collect their belongings and evacuate to safety away from the storm.

But who is watching out for the wild horses?

There's no need to worry, said the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, a non-profit focused on protect and preserving the remaining heard of Banker horses on the northern Outer Banks.

"The horses have lived on this barrier island for 500 years, and they are well-equipped to deal with rough weather," the organization said. "They know where to go to stay high and dry, and are probably in better shape right now than most of us humans who are scrambling with final preparations."

The group said any efforts to "protect" the horses ahead of Florence would more than likely "end up being more dangerous and stressful for them than the storm."

Sue Stuska, a wildlife biologist based at Cape Lookout National Seashore, added the horses have a natural intuition to seek higher ground during flooding and shelter during high winds.

"Naturally, they are meant to be outside and they have high ground and they have thick places to hide," Stuska told the Associated Press. "Don't worry about them. They've survived for hundreds of years, and we expect that they'll be just fine."

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund added that it has 18 rescued horses at its farm in Grandy, N.C., but even they should fare well through the storm.

"They have shelter, but also the option to stay outside. Just like with the wild horses, their instincts will tell them where to go to be safe," the group said.

After storms, the park service checks on the horses, although it can take as long as two months to find all of the herd.