Fell pony
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Country of origin | Cumbria, England |
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Traits | |
Distinguishing features | Sturdy, feathered legs |
Breed standards | |
The Fell pony is a versatile working breed of
Breed characteristics
Fell Ponies vary a good deal in weight and size, so ponies may be found to carry almost any rider. The average height of the breed is 13.2 hands (54 inches, 137 cm), and the upper height limit for the breed is 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm). The breed was bred for the unforgiving mountainous environment of Cumbria in north-west England, so they are adaptable to almost any temperate climate.
The colours accepted in the breed are black,
The Fell Pony should be hardy and show good pony characteristics, including strong, flat bone. It should exhibit intelligence and self-preservation considered common to British mountain and moorland pony breeds, and at the same time, have a lively and alert attitude. The breed generally has a steady temperament.
The Fell Pony has the regular gaits, noted for correct movement and is considered sure-footed in rough terrain.
Fell Ponies are reliable jumpers and agile, which makes them useful for cross-country riding or hunting. Most animals of the breed lack the scope to make top-class jumping ponies, but Fells generally are well up to local show or Pony Club event standards.
Breed history
The Fell Pony shares its origins with the now-extinct
In the early
They are primarily a working breed of pony with activity, stamina, hardiness, and intelligence that enables them to live and thrive in tough conditions out on the fells in the Lake District.
Use as packhorses
The Fell Pony was originally used as a packhorse, carrying slate and lead, copper, and iron ores. They were also used for light agriculture and the transportation of bulky farm goods such as wool.[1] With their sturdy bodies, strong legs, and equable disposition, and being good, fast walkers, they would travel up to 240 mi (390 km) a week. They were favoured by the Vikings as packhorses, as well as for ploughing, riding, and pulling sledges. Their use as pack ponies continued into the 20th century, when they were also used in pack-pony trains and by postal services. Some Fells were famed in the north as fast trotters. Tales are told of distances covered at great speeds by these ponies.
In recent times
Fells at the present are being used for
A Fell Pony can be used as an all-round family pony. It is capable of carrying both children or adults, and versatile enough to fulfill a variety of jobs otherwise carried out by two or three more specialised animals. The rise of
Fell Pony Society
The Fell Pony Committee resolved to become a society in 1916,[6] "to keep pure the old breed of pony that has roamed the northern hills for years". However, with the end of World War I, the resolution became reality. In 1922, the society restructured itself on "more liberal lines" to attract more members to the support of the Fell Pony.[7] Nonetheless, the breed's numbers decreased considerably, until 1945, when a breeding "stallion enclosure" program and a grading-up system were started. The program was discontinued in 1970. In the affluent 1950s, riding for pleasure began to gain popularity, securing the future of many British native breeds. The number of ponies being registered with the Fell Pony Society has risen gradually.
All Fell Ponies are registered through the society, with an annual
See also
- Mountain and moorland ponies
References
- ^ a b "About Fell Ponies". The Fell Pony Society. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ Newsletters of the Fell Pony Society, Autumn 2009
- ^ "Deer Stalking". The Fell Pony Museum. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "Footpath repair". The Fell Pony Society. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ "Fell pony dressage Team Bounced Back" (PDF). The Fell Pony Society. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
- ^ The Fell Pony Society
- ^ The Fell Pony Society in the 20th century at Fell Pony and Countryside Museums
External links
- The Fell Pony Society (United Kingdom)
- The Fell Pony and Countryside Museums, Dalemain, Cumbria, England
- Images of the Fell Pony and Countryside Museums at Dalemain, Cumbria, England
- Fell Pony Society and Conservancy of the Americas
- Fell Pony Society of North America