The Fell pony, mainly found in the northern and western
sides of the Pennines and in Cumbria, is very similar in many ways to the Dales pony, which is
its geographical neighbor. The two breeds probably originated from the same source and then developed
regional differences that were later concentrated on by breeders so that the two variations of
the breed occurred.
The Fell is thought to be a descendant of the old Galloway
pony, which is now extinct, and also the Old Friesian horse from Europe. The Galloway pony was
a hardy Scottish breed that had many admirable qualities and was probably had some part in the
development of both the Fell and Dales pony breeds, as well as the English Thoroughbred. The Fell
has been kept a very pure breed, and this is something the Fell Pony Society, formed in 1912,
has strived to maintain.
The Fell is an excellent pony and is very tough and strong
for its size. Like the Dales, the Fell was used for transporting lead to the docks and also was
widely used as a pack horse as well as in harness. They are very good trotters and can cover a
large amount of ground in quite a short time. They are used frequently used for both riding and
driving, excelling in both capacities. They are incredibly versatile and surefooted and tend to
have a sensible disposition, making them ideal as ponies for children and nervous adults.
They tend to have a small, neat pony head set on a well-crested
and longish neck. They should have strong bodies with well-sprung ribs and muscular quarters with
well let down hocks. They have good legs with short cannon bones and well-developed knees Fells
usually have quite and abundance of mane and tail hair and a fair bunch of feathering on the legs.
Typically they are black, dark brown, or bay, although
the occasional gray is allowed. Minimum white markings are accepted, although a pony with an abundance
of white indicates a crossbred pony that would not be allowed an entry in the stud book. These
ponies usually stand between 13 and 14 hh. The Fell is smaller and built lighter in frame than
the Dales, having a less massive body frame, and both breeds are very highly commendable.
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