Fell Ponies - what are they like and what 2 look for when buying

Gingerwitch

Gingerwitch

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Starting to feel my age... and if they are good enough for queenie to ride at 80ish they sure as hell should be ok for me to hack around on - so what are fells ?
 
They are black, brown, bay & grey with a max height of 14hh.
Preferrred no white markings, tho a small star and a little white on the hind around the coronet is permitted.
Up to weight, usually sensible - but you do get exceptions like with any other ponies ;) Can be thought of as stuffy & stolid by some, tho this is also usually untrue.
Ours have in the past, competed in whp (3ft to 3ft 3 at National level M&M), hunted (going all day) done stressage well, also pony clubbed at rallies & done gymkhana - and taken granny (RIP mum) out hacking too. There isn't much a Fell cannot do really :)
Pretty adaptable, (usually) pretty easy to keep, good feet so dont always require shoes.
They DO have good memories tho, so it pays to make sure they learn things properly and are not rushed in training.
Dales can have the same rep, tho they do go taller.

Happy shopping! :)
 
Lovely ponies, were are you GingerWitch as a couple of friends have them plus a good auction in Cumbria ( think soon!) otherwise bring biased a highland... The queen likes these as well!
 
Highlands said:
Lovely ponies, were are you GingerWitch as a couple of friends have them plus a good auction in Cumbria ( think soon!) otherwise bring biased a highland... The queen likes these as well!
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I am on the west mids/staffordshire boarder and would like a quiet gelding - not really bothered what breed he is but must be able to carry on old person - and be quiet in the field :)
 
My friend had a similar idea and sold her hot welsh d and got a fell which promptly tried to kill her she needed to be ridden daily and even one day off made her nuts. Friend has recently had her welsh d gifted back to her and she is riding again, the fell was sold to a regular riding teenager and although she has sworn never to ride again after the accident that required a trip in the air ambulance she is back riding the welshie
 
Mine's the sort who if you put a novice or a child on her she'll look after them and plod along, but if she knows you can handle it she'll be a spooky idiot! She has two preferred paces, walk or gallop, and if you ask her to trot on grass she'll bounce up and down or sideways in canter.

She does however have good brakes and is a lot of fun, I can canter alongside others and while she'll pull a bit with excitement (she's 22 going on 4 :D) she'll always listen. She doesn't like jumping - but I know of a few Fells who are canny little jumpers.

She's super easy to handle on the ground, easy to lead, tack up etc. Super strong feet (barefoot) and generally a tough little thing who has experienced only minor illness and injury a handful of times in the 9 years I've owned her. She's wintered out unrugged every year since I bought her - she's so fluffy! In the summer she's a good doer but not overly so, slightly restricted grazing rather than muzzles or stabling.

She's a little grump in general, doesn't like other horses much and is very bossy. She doesn't like human affection or cuddles particularly but I adore her anyway, and she loves to be spoiled with treats!

I'm not sure how many of her traits are common with the breed and how many are just her, but they're fantastic if you want something easy to do and rarely sick or sorry, that's fun to ride. However don't underestimate how silly, spooky and speedy some of them can be despite their chunky fluffiness! :D
 
Gingerwitch said:
I am on the west mids/staffordshire boarder and would like a quiet gelding - not really bothered what breed he is but must be able to carry on old person - and be quiet in the field :)
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Not far from me in Worcestershire! Just thinking big natives! If I hear will let you know! I have a friend with fells, highlands and she has just got a welshie too!
 
Fells are NOT quiet plods and it's in their DNA to assume that they make most of the decisions. Never bully a fell or think they are just furry ponies; under all that mane there usually ticks a razor sharp brain! That said if they really like you they will be your friend for life although my OH says that he was always humiliated by our fells - and to be honest that's quite true.
 
As above!
We borrowed a Fell for my 13 yr old son to learn to ride on. He was fantastic, but very clever and a real character. I loved him. Very easy to look after - no trimming, no clipping, no rugs, no shoes, not greedy but kept a good weight all year round on grass and extra hay in the winter. He was able to work hard, went hunting, did all pc activities and could be driven. He could also carry a good weight - I intend to get myself another when I'm older.
 
My fell mare is a bit of a pocket rocket too, can be a bit bouncy at times, but just fun bouncy not I'm going to get you off bouncy. She turns her hoof to a nice dressage test and a bit of jumping.
She winters well without rugs, or hard feed, is barefoot and never footsore. She can be a bit pushy and opinionated but at 13.2hh it's not so much of a problem. Biggest problem is she rides so big I hit the floor before I bend my knees getting off nearly every time!
 
I'm an absolute convert to Fell ponies and got my first one as a foal at the Fell Pony auctions held in Cumbria each October. I've sadly just lost him at nearly 5 due to strangulated gut. We had an amazing bond and I always felt safe on him, he totally looked after me and was so adaptable.. if a child or novice on him he plodded along but could spark up if an experienced rider on him. They are very quick learners. When I backed him I just longreined him a couple of times and then hopped on! Easiest pony ever to back and grasped straight away what I wanted. They are extrememly stubborn though!

I can't imagine having any other breed now, they ride like a horse and you don't feel as though your're on a pony at all. I've just got another Fell that I will be backing in the next few weeks. I intend to use him as an all rounder.
 
I have a 4 yr old Dales who is currently on ground work training; he's smart and quick thinking and very very forward going. He will be a pocket rocket and I am taking the ground training very slowly else I can see I will end up out the back door!
If you want something with a quieter reputation, but versatility I would go for a Highland.
 
I've only ever heard good things about Fells. Great for children, all rounders, safe, hardy etc. However like others have said are generally quite small. You might be better with a Dales or New Forest as they have the same reputation:)
 
Horrible things, straight shoulder, front legs come out of the same hole, short necks, all in all ghastly. I would rather ride a bike with square wheels than ride a Fell. They don't often even redeem themselves with a good temprement either. Oh and extremely ugly to boot. I live in Cumbria so have seen a few.
 
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Ignore justabob's trolling, I've had a lot of Fells and none have fit her description.
 
It just goes to show justabob that you have never owned one of these amazing ponies - you must have come across some of the worse examples. I used to carriage drive and hunt two of these 'straight shoulder, front legs come out of the same hole, short necks' and given that I was often galloping over plough and jumping 3' fences with ease I doubt I would still be in one piece if they weren't clever and agile with wonderful, loyal creatures. Having said that though neither of them would have tolerated an ignorant novice - perhaps that's your problem.
 
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I think they are pretty, but I had a really spooky one, she would run into me, very nippy with an astonishing jump...She was too much for me, even the lady who transported her back said she has never seen a crazier one, lol...Thank God she was on loan, but my,she was very bonny.
 
justabob said:
Horrible things, straight shoulder, front legs come out of the same hole, short necks, all in all ghastly. I would rather ride a bike with square wheels than ride a Fell. They don't often even redeem themselves with a good temprement either. Oh and extremely ugly to boot. I live in Cumbria so have seen a few.
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In that case, you really dont know a lot about them, or have only seen very bad specimens of the breed.

Having been up & down to Cumbria many times to collect feral Fell ponies off the hills through the 80's, 90's and into this century, to back, bring on & produce to top county level, I do think I know a little about the breed too :)
 
Cherrydan said:
I think they are pretty, but I had a really spooky one, she would run into me, very nippy with an astonishing jump...She was too much for me, even the lady who transported her back said she has never seen a crazier one, lol...Thank God she was on loan, but my,she was very bonny.
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Oh, just remembered, one day she caught sight of her shadow on the wall, spooked and i nearly lost my teeth on exit. I was lulled by her smallness. I guess, like us, they are all different
 
justabob said:
Horrible things, straight shoulder, front legs come out of the same hole, short necks, all in all ghastly. I would rather ride a bike with square wheels than ride a Fell. They don't often even redeem themselves with a good temprement either. Oh and extremely ugly to boot. I live in Cumbria so have seen a few.
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Never seen one as you describe. My cousin's wife (L) is on her second . . . her first was an absolute angel, very well-bred and put together, a temperament to die for - her only "fault" was that she became laminitic in later life. Her second is just a youngster so is green as grass, but is coming along beautifully. L was a complete novice when she bought her first . . . and that forgiving, kind and sweet mare taught and gave her so much.

I highly recommend Fells.

P
 
Fells and Dales very similar love them both.

A friend who used to show my Cleveland Bay mares had a super Fell Pony which won everything in the show ring and was sold for a lot of money. I qualified as a ride leader at Yorkshire Dales trekking centre. All Dales ponies and great to ride.

My farrier in Scotland bred Fells of quality.

Both breeds have plenty of go and are hardy. I personally like them very much.
 
Just a comment as I have never had a Fell, although have always admired the Fell and Dales ponies.

But remember, these ponies, like the Welsh Cob, were bred for WORK, carrying heavy weights, farm work day after day and the lifestyle that we often give them of living in a field for 23 hours a day with the occasional tootle around can lead to frisky ponies! Remember that the Queen has many grooms to exercise and keep her ponies well behaved.
 
Lovely, lovely ponies, very versatile and hardy. Like most can be horrible in the wrong hands. I've had the pleasure of owning two if you want to search my previous posts.
 
I echo everyone above, my little guy is 12.3hh on the stick but he really wouldnt be suitable as a true childs pony, quick thinking, quick witted, extremely hardy and beautiful to boot! They were bred to work and thats the only thing that can keep his mind occupied. He was very late gelded and sold through the fell sales, for a minimal amount of money, Its taken a good bit of work, but he is now a super allrounder and is doing very very well, showing inhand and ridden and is doing Hoys classes this year, as well as going to our local Fell pony pleasure ride, xc & pub rides, a true allrounder!


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This is my wondeful fell Lownthwaite Jasper. This pic was taken when he was 5yo and just learning to jump. He is now 17yo.

jaspjump.jpg


Jasps has been the BEST pony I have ever had. I got him as a freshly broken 5yo and schooled him up and took him showing for many years. He's not a plod but not a nut job either. He is quick off the leg, forward going and a wee bit leany when he gets excited but he is 100% bombproof in traffic - stuff at the side of the road is fair game though and even 12 years down the line drains still contain pony eating tigers!

Jasps may only be 13.2hh in height but he rides like a 15.2hh due to his width and depth. He is now on loan to my partners mother as a happy hacker and she loves him to pieces! She is even tempted to dig out her (30yo!!) Competiion gear and take him to a few veteran shows...

I have honestly never met a more genuinely nice, kind loving pony who is willing to please and he has a stunningly pretty head which is rare in fells to be honest.

You can't go wrong with a fell - plus! They are predominently black so no bathing endless white bits unless you get a grey lol!

LownthwaiteJasper_zps8cd1b4cb.jpg


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4vE5qcTaSHw

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbnOEKFvwmc
 
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I once rode out a beautiful fell for an older gentleman, lovely forward responsive pony but very stubborn and strong if, for example, I only had a short time to ride and had to turn back the next day she would assume we would turn at the same point. we once climbed and traversed a dry stone wall having one of these 'discussions'. She was extremely balanced and sure-footed much like a mountain goat.

Another I rode for a young girl who had absolutely no clue and her mother even less so, potentially lovely pony but not for a child, very strong and wilful and far to used to getting his own way. Tried to cross a [erfectly ordinary road only to plant in the middle and start mini rearing and bunny hopping at a manhole cover, don't think he got out much :/

There have been many more and despite the above I actually really like them they have a nice pop and turn of speed and are very easy keepers with good feet and will hack ALLLL day over rugged terrain like a 4x4/ mountain goat plus they are less wide than say a highland. But because of their size they often get bought as kids ponies at home and the two don't mix that well.
 
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The love of my teenage life was a Fell, I got him after he was expelled from the RDA, he was a dream to handle but quite often used to bring me home a little faster than planned, sometimes with a lot of bucking thrown in! His nickname was the armchair as he was so comfortable. Sadly we lost him at 13 to throat cancer, I was gutted, totally gutted. I’d love another one day although at the moment I’m a confirmed New Forest addict!
 
I have a Fell pony, and I honestly can't fault her, she will take me anywhere I want to go and is safe as houses. Our rides often include busy roads, crossing rivers,popping logs etc and she'll do it all without question, although she's not a plod. The only drawback is that they tend to be such good doers that weight needs constant monitoring. Mine is 14hh, but rides much bigger, which means we can squash down tracks that a bigger horse would never fit and mounting /dismounting is a doddle. As for what to look for, I'd say the same as any other breed, a decent temperament and conformation. I have a brown one, so a bit different. :) If you do decide to go for one I don't think you'd regret it for a minute.
 
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