Students’ idea drives mustang recognition

The Colonial Spanish Mustang is on its way to becoming the official state horse of North Carolina.

Students at Shawboro Elementary School in Currituck County came up with the idea. They met with staffers from state Senate President Marc Basnight’s office in January, and he took the suggestion to the General Assembly.

Legislation giving the popular Outer Banks icon statewide recognition passed the Senate Thursday, according to a statement from Basnight’s office.

“We can trace these horses back to the Spanish explorers in the 1500s,” Basnight said in the statement. “They have survived development, tourism, and increased traffic that have eroded their habitat.

“These horses exemplify perseverance and are so rare that we should honor them by making them the official State Horse. I want to thank the students at Shawboro Elementary School for their civic engagement and bringing this idea forward.”

About 100 wild horses live in Corolla and about 120 on the Shackleford Banks in Carteret County.

The legislation will next be considered by the House of Representatives with the support of state Reps. Bill Owens and Tim Spear.

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