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Warwick Schiller Podcast: Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks

Published May 29, 2026

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

This spring, my wife Julia and I towed our sailboat Grit out of the barn, launched her and sailed her to Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, where we spent the next two weeks studying the wild horses that live there. We never imagined that ramble would land us on numerous podcasts, including Warwick Schiller’s Journey On podcast.

Solo circumnavigator Bernie Harberts' Nimble 24 sailboat Grit rigged and ready to sail at Oriental public boat ramp, Oriental, North Carolina — *Grit* rigged and ready to sail. She is a Nimble 24. (Oriental public boat ramp, Oriental, NC)

Julia carrying a kayak to the water's edge near solo circumnavigator Bernie Harberts' sailboat Grit anchored off Shackleford Banks, North Carolina — Grit anchored off Shackleford Banks. That’s Julia carrying her kayak to the water’s edge so she can paddle back to Grit.

Wild horses grazing on a sand dune at Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, with the Atlantic Ocean in the background — This is what we came to study. A band of wild horses grazing on one of Shackleford Banks’ sand dunes. In the background, the Atlantic Ocean.

We spent two incredible weeks observing the wild horses, hanging onto our anchors in gale-force winds and enjoying calm moon rises.

Click on the player below to listen to our chat with Warwick.

Julia’s side of the voyage at Saddle Under the Stars:

More about:

Julia's and my time with the wild ponies of Shackleford Banks.
horse and mule life on the homestead.
stories from the Splinters pile.

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