Fell Pony

The Fell Pony is a native of the uplands of northern England, and Cumbria and the fells round about are truly its home ground, sure it's where the name comes from in the first place. It's a strong, compact little pony, well able for rough, hilly country, and while adults generally reach the upper end of pony height, there's far more bone and substance to them than the height alone would let on.

They've a great name for being hardy, and for not costing the earth to keep either. Fell Ponies were bred to live out of doors the whole year round in weather that would test any animal, and they'll hold their condition on forage that's nothing special. The thick coat, the heavy mane and tail, the feathered legs, none of that is there for show. It's all put to good use.

As for temperament, calm and good-natured is the order of the day. You'll find Fell Ponies doing driving, riding, trekking, and a bit of light draft work these days, and they suit grown adults grand, as well as a young rider who's got a bit of confidence about them. Steady in nature and sound on their feet, they're a pony you can trust on ground that isn't exactly level.

Who it suits

Anyone after a hardy pony that won't demand too much fuss for general riding and driving will do well by the Fell Pony. It's happiest in a rural setting where there's grazing and shelter close to hand. Being both sizeable and strong, it can carry adults just as easily as children, which makes it a grand, practical choice for a household with a mix of ages, or indeed for a trekking centre.

The Fell Pony hails from the northern counties of England, with Cumbria and the western edge of the Pennines at its heart. Its ancestors were small, hardy ponies that lived half wild on the open fells, and it was the harsh weather and the poor grazing there that shaped such a tough, economical animal.

For centuries this pony earned its keep through honest work. Fell Ponies hauled goods, worked the farms, and carried loads across country where no cart could ever go. Whole trains of these ponies moved lead ore, wool, and other goods between the mines, the markets, and the ports right across the north of England.

The breed shares its roots with other native ponies of the north, and picked up influence from local working stock along the way. Once industry and the railways came in and the need for pack ponies fell away, numbers dropped, and the breed turned more toward riding and driving. In time a breed society was formed to keep the pedigrees recorded and protect the type.

Today the Fell Pony is kept both as a working and leisure animal, and as a breed worth conserving in its own right. Herds still run out on the fells in conditions close enough to the old ways, and that goes a long way toward keeping the hardiness and natural soundness the breed is known for.

The Fell Pony is a strongly built pony, carrying plenty of bone for its height. It has a neat, alert head, a strong neck, a deep body, and short legs that are well muscled. The overall picture is one of power and balance rather than any great refinement. Its movement is active and sure-footed, with the long, low stride that's needed for covering rough ground.

Coat and colors

Black is by far the most common and traditional colour, though you'll come across brown, bay, and grey as well. White markings are kept to a minimum, a small star or a touch of white on a hind foot is grand, but you wouldn't expect to see a lot of white on this breed. The mane, tail, and feather grow full and silky, and the coat thickens up no end in winter to see off the cold, wet conditions out on the fells.

The Fell Pony has a steady, sensible way about it. It keeps its head under pressure and isn't easily startled, which makes for a dependable mount on the road, on trails, or over ground that isn't level. Once a routine is set, the breed forms a real bond with whoever's handling it, and stays loyal to them.

With family it's patient and good-natured through and through, and it'll put up with a less experienced rider without much bother, though its strength does mean ground work is best left to someone confident. Around strangers it tends to stay composed rather than getting nervy. Fell Ponies generally do well in company and get along fine with other horses and ponies, which makes sense given their history running in herds on the fells.

That willing, hardworking nature comes through clearly in how ready the breed is to take on driving, trekking, and light draft work. Fell Ponies are intelligent, and can be a touch opinionated at times, so keeping the handling consistent keeps them responsive and attentive.

Grooming

• Give the coat a regular brush to clear off mud and loose hair, with extra attention during the heavy spring moult.
• Comb out the mane and tail so as to keep tangles from setting into the long hair.
• Check and clean the leg feather so as to guard against mud-related skin trouble in wet weather.
• Pick out the feet every day and keep to a regular schedule with the farrier.
• Go easy on the washing, since the coat's natural oils are what keep the pony weatherproof.

Exercise

• Provide daily turnout and a fair bit of movement. This is an active breed and stays healthiest when it's kept working or exercised.
• Mix things up between riding, driving, and trekking to keep the pony well engaged.
• Build up the work gradually and mind the weight, since this breed puts on condition rather easily.

Environment

The Fell Pony is well suited to living outdoors and copes with cold, wet weather far better than most breeds would. It needs access to grazing, fresh water, and shelter from the wind and rain. Because it holds weight so readily, grazing often has to be cut back in spring and summer to keep the pony from getting overweight.

The Fell Pony evolved on sparse upland grazing, so it's a naturally efficient feeder. A diet built around good-quality forage, mostly grass and hay, will see most ponies right through light to moderate work. Plenty of Fell Ponies need very little hard feed at all, and rich pasture can put weight on them awfully fast. Keep clean water and a salt or mineral source available at all times.

Treats and supplements

Go easy on treats such as small bits of carrot or apple, given how easily this breed puts on weight. A balancer or mineral supplement can help fill any gaps when forage alone is a bit light on certain nutrients. Make any change to feed a gradual one, over several days, so as not to upset the digestion.

The Fell Pony is a robust breed with genuinely good natural soundness, the result of generations bred to get by on the fells. Given proper care, it's common enough for them to live 25 to 30 years. The health issues that do crop up tend to relate to the easy-keeper metabolism and the heavy leg feather, rather than to any weakness in the breed itself.

Preventive care

• Keep to routine veterinary checks and stay current with vaccinations.
• Maintain a regular dental and farrier programme.
• Follow a planned worming and faecal-testing routine.
• Keep an eye on body condition and adjust feed and grazing to steer clear of obesity and laminitis.
• Make use of genetic testing when breeding, so as to manage inherited disorders.

The Fell Pony is quick to learn and generally a great one to work with. Its calm temperament makes early handling straightforward enough, and the breed responds well when routines stay clear and consistent. Being intelligent, and a touch strong-minded at times, fair and steady training will always win out over force. Given the pony's size and strength, good ground manners are well worth establishing early.

Basics

1. Begin with handling, leading, and getting the pony to stand quietly for grooming and the farrier.
2. Build trust through short, regular sessions rather than long ones that don't come round often.
3. Bring in tack, long-reining, or harness gradually, well before any ridden or driven work.
4. Reinforce good behaviour straight away and keep your expectations steady.
5. Move on to ridden, driven, or trekking work as confidence and fitness come along.

Fell Ponies reach breeding maturity much in line with other horses, though it's usual to let mares and stallions grow and mature fully before putting them to breeding. Mating may take place out at pasture in herd conditions, which reflects the breed's traditional way of doing things, or under a managed in-hand programme. Gestation lasts about eleven months and normally produces a single foal.

Mares make attentive mothers, and foals reared on the fells learn early on to cope with weather and terrain. Foals are typically weaned at a few months of age and run on together in groups. Responsible breeders make use of the genetic testing available, including screening for Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome, so as to avoid producing affected foals and to keep the breed sound.