Breed
Arpil 2024
Written by Danielé Baublyté
The Fell Pony
The Fell Pony is an endangered breed known for their hardiness, sure-footedness and excellent temperament.
A strong body build and muscular neck is complimented by a traditionally long mane and tail and feathered legs. According to the breed standards established by the Fell Pony Society (FPS), Fell Ponies should not exceed the limit of 142.2 cm / 14 hh in height.
The coat colors can be grey, bay, brown and black. It is believed that the Cistercian monks used Fell ponies of grey colour, as 'white' was the sign of monastic ownership.
Fell Pony characteristics
'The Fell pony is just a smaller version of the Friesian horse.'
False, The Fell Ponies may seem like a mini-version of the Friesian horse but the two breeds are actually not related at all. The Fell is the closest descendent of the Galloway pony, which is now extinct but was native to Scotland and northern England a few centuries ago.
True or False
The Fell pony breed had always been very versatile and it was common for the ponies to be seen doing any job, yet primarily they were bred as pack ponies to carry equipment, tools or hunted animals across the hills. Their strong body also allowed them to be used as working horses in the past such as logging (dragging timber) in areas that were not accessible by machinery, or pulling carts on coal mining sites, as well as hunting and pulling carriages of monarchs.
The Fell pony makes a perfect equine companion because of their docile temperament and calmness. The late Queen of the United Kingdom rode her Fell pony Emma at Windsor Castle even in her nineties! Today the Fell pony still appears in recreational activities such as pleasure riding, pony clubs, carriage rides or as an assistant in equine therapy, or even join mountain hikers by being pack ponies.
How is THE BREED USED TODAY?
The breed‘s name 'Fell' dates back to the Viking Ages and the Old Norse language meaning hill, mountain. It shortly describes the terrain their ancestors used to roam – steep hills and rocky terrains of Northern England, Cumbria. The ponies had evolved and survived in the harsh environment and poor vegetation of the fells. Such living conditions had shaped a small but hardy pony.
Their origin
Over the past decade, the majority of horse-powered work has been replaced by machinery and the demand for work horses such as Fell ponies has decreased and they have become an endangered breed near the line of extinction. Together with forces working to get the Fell Pony of the Fells they slowly lose their characteristics. In addition, the aging breeders with no one to take over also diminishes the breed’s population.
Why is the population declining?
By buying our coffee table book “Fading Hoofprints” you will not only spread awareness about the endangered horse breeds but support the equine legacy by giving a percentage of your payment to an endangered horse breed organisation.
You can also support The Fell Pony Heritage Trust (FPHT) as well as participate in their events where you can learn about the semi-wild herds of Fell Ponies by meeting them in their natural habitat. FPHT is a team of Fell Pony enthusiasts committed to supporting the Fell Pony's value in being an essential part of Cumbria's heritage and ensuring the hill farmers and breeders have a secure and long-term future.
If you are interested in seeing the Fell pony performing in the show ring, you can visit The Fell Pony Society (FPS) website and find the nearest shows in the UK.
How can I help the breed
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That is why we are on a mission to raise awareness for endangered or rare horse breeds. By creating and sharing high quality content in our coffee table book, documentary series and podcast series, we want to educate people on some of the most extraordinary yet vulnerable horse breeds.