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The Fell PonyHeight Up to 14hh Colour Most commonly black, brown or bay and occasionally grey. Excessive white markings are discouraged. Build Body should be stong, deep, and ribs well sprung, and good depth throughout the chest providing ample heart room. Quarters should be strong and square. Shoulder should most importantly be well laid back and sloping. Neck should be of proportionate length with moderate crest; head should be small but broad throughout the forehead, while ears should be neat and small but nostrils fairly large. Legs should be short, with plenty of dense flat bone and well feathered from the fetlock to the back of the knee. Movement Well balanced and ground covering, with moderate knee and hock action. Trimming rules for showing No trimming or thinning is permitted. History The Fell pony is native to the fells of North West England. It is thought that the breed was established as far back as the Roman times, and with little introduction of Foriegn blood and breeding programmes, the Fell has retained his true original characteristics to this day. The Fell pony's past is a colorful one; once caught and tamed from his natural habitat, would have been used by the Romans for transportation of materials to build Hadrians wall. It is said that during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Cumbrian smugglers would have used Fell ponies for transporting their contraband from the coast. Fell ponies would even be used for transporting the deceased to graveyards. To this day, the Fell pony's graceful and demure appearance sees them as a popular choice for undertakers, who conduct traditional horse drawn funerals. Over the years the Fell pony's more domestic duty would have been as a pack pony, transporting minerals from the mines and corn to the mills. A Fell pony could be expected to travel up to 240 miles a week nose to tail in a 'train', carrying heavy loads in wicker panniers attatched to wooden pack saddles. They would also have been used on farms for general duties such as harvesting, haymaking and carrying a shepherd across steep terrain. The Post Office once employed the Fell pony to deliver the mail to the most remote areas. During the late 1800s, trotting races grew in popularity at social events such as shepherds meets and fairs. Many Fell ponies excelled at this sport, with some Fell ponies even attracting local fame. With the invention of farm machinery and railways, the number of Fell ponies in domestic work sharply declined. The onset of war then saw a further decline in numbers; as many were sold abroad for slaughter. Local breeders and enthusiasts were keen to keep their heritage alive, they worked tirelessly to preserve the breed and save it from possible extinction. After WWII, there was an increase in recreational activities; pony trekking and driving being popular. This saw a revival in demand the Fell pony. With Fell ponies being predominantly black, they are desirable in driving competitions; finding a well matched pair is easy because of their consisent colouring. Although numbers of Fells have increased steadily over the years, Fell ponies are also recognised as 'endangered' status by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Today, a few Fell Ponies still live on the upland fells of Cumbria, contributing towards conservation grazing. These ponies are owned by local breeders who have 'fell rights', allowing them to graze ponies on local land. The fell pony's build, size, and sure footed ability see them as the ideal all rounder; a popular choice of pony for both adults and competitive children alike. Endurance riding, driving competitions and the show ring are popular activites for the Fell. Worldwide popularity for the breed is increasing, with around 500 registered Fells in Holland, they are also to be found in America and parts of Europe and Scandinavia. Breed Society www.fellponysociety.org.uk Did you know? Fell mares were used in the early breeding programmes of the creation of the Hackney pony. |
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