Assateague Island, located in Maryland just South of Ocean City, is known for its population of wild ponies. Assateague wild ponies have roamed the beaches, pine forest, and salt marsh of Assateague Island since the 1600's. Assateague Island National Seashore has a combined total of over 300 wild ponies in Maryland and the next island to the South, Chincoteague, Virginia. To control the population there is a roundup every July where some of the herd is sold.