Fell pony
breed information
www.FellponyInfo.com (Home)
(previously Fellpony.com)
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Fell pony
breed information www.FellponyInfo.com (Home) (previously Fellpony.com)
|
|
|
As
published in 'Horse Sense Magazine' - September 2004 THE
FELL PONY - a Pony with a Purpose
“A
good example of a native pony should tell us, just by looking at it, what kind
of life its ancestors led: Exacting work requirements and tough environments,”
Millard said. “A well-built body
is the first requirement. Good teeth for rough grazing, a well designed coat
that sheds rain. Hoofs that take the wear of rough terrain. You can see all
these. But Native ponies have other
qualities: an even, sensible temperament; hardiness, vigor, self reliance and
brains. These are vital to the breed, but they are not visible. They’re the
inner pony, the bits that you only get to know by doing the job and living the
life. These invisible
characteristics can’t be retained without giving the pony a job of work to do
and, if possible, allowing it to live and reproduce as its ancestors did and
still do.” History The
Fell derives its name – FELL – from the Norse word for “hill”. During
the four centuries of Roman occupation on the border between A
cross between such foreign horses and the Celtic pony might have produced an
animal closer to ‘horse size’, but big
animals could not survive without extra feeding so on the harsh northern fells,
by natural selection, the breed stabilized as a pony.
Well maintained road surfaces were few and far between from the
time of the Roman withdrawal in the 4th Century until the 18th
Century when engineers began to surface roads again.
Packponies were the only reliable means of transporting goods and the
Fell was particularly good for this purpose, being a fast and steady walker. The now-extinct Galloway pony in southern Scotland was
geographically close and is said to have been very similar to the Fell, probably
similarly bred and containing types ranging from the taller Dales and
Highlands to the smaller end of the Fells. The Fell is still sometimes
referred to as a Through the 18th and 19th Centuries, as the
canals, roadways and train lines were developed; the ponies were gradually
superseded for distance transport. In
the 19th Century ponies were utilized for trotting races and sports
events as well as light arable farm work, shepherding, and transport such as
carrying mail, or goods to market by trap (cart). In the 20th Century some smaller Fell ponies were used
as pit (mine) ponies while the taller sorts worked delivering milk from the
colliery dairy farms. In some areas they were used for ‘deer stalking’,
which required a steady, surefooted pack pony that would carry the dead stag
down the hills for the hunter. The Fell Pony Society (FPS) was formed in Current
facts and showing information Averaging 13.1 - 13.2 hands high, the maximum height allowed for
Fells is 14 hands high. They come in four different colors.
Black over the last few decades has become the predominant color,
followed by brown, bay and gray. A
star and/or white on or below the hind fetlock are acceptable. Fell
ponies are presented at shows well groomed yet untrimmed to emphasize the
natural state. Fells do not wear the
tail ribbon of the Dales nor the ear plait of the Welsh.
The Fell pony should always be presented as an example of its own breed
and not a version of another. Fells are still used for logging,
farming, and shepherding. They are
quite successful in competitive endurance (Olympic), LeTrec, jumping, and
dressage. They excel in competitive
and pleasure driving, riding for the disabled, and of course, recreational
riding. The
Fell pony breed matures late – sometimes not until seven years of age.
Most Fells in their native country are left to run free until the age of
two or three and not overfed. At
that time they are lightly trained and then often turned back out until four to
five years when they will begin light and straight riding, without much bending
of their spines. It is suggested
that mares not be bred until they are least three years of age otherwise
irreparable damage may be done to internal organs, reproductive organs and may
restrict the mare’s own growth and maturity. Their temperament is like that of other British native pony breeds
whose instinct for survival has been essential to them for centuries. This
instinct, combined with the intelligence, curiosity, stamina, and
mischievousness of a Fell, can pose unique challenges to the inexperienced or
unwary person. Sensible horse
training is always paramount, but when working with a Fell you need to have a
cooperative and partnership mentality. Fells,
just like all equines, are individuals and each can vary in temperament. They
could be compared to working dog breeds - they are meant for activity, which
engages their mind and curiosity, and gives them a purpose. The
‘Fell Pony Society and Conservancy of
the It
has often been said, “You cannot put a Fell to the wrong job!”
The traditional hill breeders of BIO: Laura
Hart lives in Horse Sense Magazine - web site: www.HorseSenseMagazine.com Photo information:
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The
Fell pony, like most breeds, developed over the centuries by meeting
