Misty was a Chincoteague pony, a small, but sturdy, feral breed native to Assteague Island, off the Delmarva Peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, who provided the inspiration for the 1947 children’s novel ‘Misty of Chincoteague’, written by Marguerite Henry. ‘Misty of Chincoteague’ tells the fictional story of two of orphans, Paul and Maureen Beebe, who live with their grandparents on Chincoteague Island and dream of owning the Chincoteague pony mare, Phantom, and her foal, Misty. They eventually acquire both, but eventually return Phantom to the wild herd from whence she came, while retaining Misty, thereby highlighting the central themes of the novel, namely belonging, family and community bonds and freedom.
The real-life Misty was a palomino pinto, who stood just 12 hands high, as is customary of the breed, but was bred by Clarence and Ida Beebe at the Beebe Ranch on nearby Chincoteague Island, rather than being born in the wild on Assateague Island, as told as in ‘Misty of Chincoteague’. Nevertheless, during a visit to the Beebe Ranch, Henry became so smitten with Misty that she purchased her, as a foal, for $150 and had her shipped to her home in Wayne, Illinois in 1946.
Misty remained with Henry until 1957, greeting many visitors at home and making numerous public appearances by way of promoting ‘Misty of Chincoteague’. The story clearly resonated with horse-loving children and the novel became a best-seller, such that Misty, instantly recognisable by her distinctive markings and, of course, her diminutive stature, became on equine celebrity. In fact, at one point, she was named an honorary member of the American Library Association. After 11 years, she was retired to broodmare duties back at the Beebe Ranch, where she died peacefully, of natural causes, 15 years later, at the age of 26.