Mention Chincoteague Island, Virginia, and you’re likely to be asked, “Isn’t that the place where those ponies are?” The answer is yes. The narrow spit of land and nearby Assateague Island became famous as home to a herd of wild ponies in 1947, when the popular children’s book “Misty of Chincoteague” was published. A 1961 movie spread the story even farther. During my visit I was immersed in stories about the ponies, including the annual penning and sale. Each summer since 1925 ponies have been rounded up and those strong enough to swim herded into the narrowest part of the channel that separates Assateague and Chincoteague. The next day the foals—those less than a year old—are sold at auction during some spirited bidding. The remaining ponies spend another night in town and swim back to their home on Assateague Island the next day. If you’d prefer to miss the large …