Going to look at a Fell Pony.

Fiona_C

Fiona_C

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 August 2005
Messages
1,930
Location
Around here somewhere
Visit site
Hiya, has anyone good/bad/indifferent to advise about Fell ponies? Going to view one over the next few days and don't really know that much about them as a breed. Are they good to do? Anything obvious I should be looking for or knowing about?
any advice greatly welcomed.
(Pony would be for my 13 y/o daughter).
 
I live in Cumbria so I see plenty of Fell ponies, at lot of people I know drive them. To be honest they are not my most favourite ponies for children as they can be headstrong and I have never met a quiet one yet. They make cracking driving ponies for people that know what they are doing. I prefer the Dales as they have a better shoulder and a smoother action. But that is just my opinion.
 
I loaned a Fell x when I was 12 and he was a wonderful fun pony. He could be a grumpy sod at times, but he was in his twenties and had been roughly handled at one point, so it was more down to that rather than his breed.
 
I don't think they are childrens ponies much as they are the height for them. My sisters mare is very sharp and will happily tank off in her fell trot.
I went and tried a nice gelding who had been owned by a child but he was slightly nappy, and had been allowed to get away with it.
Do you know the ponies prefix? PM me if you like. There are some nice ponies about
 
Just emailing to find out about breeding now. As I said, I don't know much about them as a breed, always had welshies. This pony is 15 and turned away in a field and has not had much done with her recently. In the past she has been shown but unsure whether in hand or ridden. Trying to find out as much as possible.

Thanks for advice so far, all been taken on board.
 
We have 4 fells on our yard, my YO is a 'fell person'! I wouldn't call any of them children's ponies. They are all fantastic and great characters, but they can be very headstrong and are utter devils at times! Have been dragged down the yard many a time when they decided they didn't want to go where I was taking them. However, she competes in dressage and her older boy got to aff. elementary before an injury and her younger one looks to be heading the same way, they're cracking ponies in the right hands. I would have one if they grew a bit bigger (or I was a bit shorter!)
 
My fell pony has been one of the BEST ponies I have ever had! I got him as a freshly broken 4yo when I was 15yo. Ok he can be leany but he is very well schooled, he is forward going but very responsive. I tried a couple out before I bought him, one was grand just very docile, the other was a pig and Jasps was quite simply perfect.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a fell pony to anyone of teenager age and upwards so long as they are decent, confident riders. The Queen rides them all of the time :D
 
My second pony as a teenager was a fell and she was a super mare, who had been used for breeding so was a bit older and wiser when she came to us. My sister and I shared her and my Mother would also ride her. We had lots of fun with her she had a great temprement and were were all able to go and compete on her at PC, Hunter trials etc

Probably not a good pony for young children as a first pony, but for a teenager with you to back her up, well worth considering.
 
Cracking ponies with a max of 14hh they are black, brown, bay or grey (have had all colours of them). Not always for the faint hearted in their early years, but be firm & you will (usually) have a good'n :)
Most can jump well, many of mine competed M&M whp opens which were 3ft to 3ft 3", tho most have the scope for height OR width when the jumps get bigger.
Daughter used to drag the odd 1 or 2 out hunting & they would go all day.

Most smaller lightweight teenagers can be a little overhorsed if cranking things up a gear, so be ready to get tuition if needed, usually snaffle mouthed tho also many go well in a mullen mouthed pelham - which will give a better feel for any rider. (no need to have the curb tight, but useful to have if pony gets headstrong on occasions)

They can be the most patient of ponies unless a previous life has made them not so.
Often working unshod too as feet as usually exceptionally good.

I usually say that they are 15.2 cobs with short legs ;) willing hearts, a kind eye & a sense of humour ;)
 
Brilliant replies, many thanks.

Can't wait to look at her and see what potential there is to work with. Daughter is not the most confident of riders yet, however, when it comes to groundwork she is right up there, she does a lot of stuff with my tb.

We also have a fab instructor just around the corner who would be more than willing to bring her on, plus get her into pony club etc.
 
My then 12 year old son had a Fell (Townend prefix), and they had loads of fun together, although son was a pretty capable rider for his age. From hunting to handy pony, Prince turned a hoof to anything, unflappable, traffic proof, good jumper and with a decent turn of speed, then he'd get his harness on and would do the carting round the farm.

Don't worry about the height too much, they generally have excellent bone and a good barrel to take up even lanky legs.

She will set your daughter up to move onto a Dales......:)
 
I have one too, he is a lovely pony, just like riding a cob with short legs lol, Mine had been broken to drive at 6 after being a working stallion, but never ridden, and he has taken everything in his stride, is very sensible, and easy to do. A very good colour for keeping clean, rock hard feet and minimum feed/rugging. His only minor is he can be nippy in the stable , so have to be strict with hubby to stop him from giving him treats :rolleyes::rolleyes:
He is a lot of fun and loves a cuddle!!

picc1_zps3b4940ba.jpg
 
I would have a Fell in a heartbeat.... I have a Fell X who is a legend although not a child's pony even though he is only 12'3.

When I was looking for a pony I had an option of Fell, Dales or Highland and I when with the Highland... I think they make totally loyal pals and they can do anything most horses can do. They can be strong but to be fair so can any pony.. Good luck with it..
 
I know a fell x who is very naughty but very lovable at the same time and the most intelligent pony I've ever met!
He is fine so long as he knows who is boss otherwise he completely taken the mick. :-)
 
I've never met a nasty fell, I love them. Awesome, versatile, pretty, low maintenance, good attitude (wayyyyyyy easier than welshies ;-)). Good luck!!
 
I work with a fell who used to be a stalking pony, she is lovely but a bit on the grumpy side when it comes to other horses being too close (but I think that's because the boys are quite bolshy and annoying in general:rolleyes:) and she's not really a pony who enjoys cuddles too much. Other than that she's brilliant! An absolute amazing pony to do, she wintered out nakey (always has done), goes barefoot, a saint to ride, when moving the ponies from fields she'll just follow along behind without being led, not nippy and she would never intentionally hurt a person. All in all she's a great, all round pony. I must admit, I do have a bit of a soft spot for her :p
 
Best ponies in the world! My partner in crime as a teenager was a fell mare. Utterly bombproof, jumped anything, outraced anything, beautifully schooled and drove too. Not a pocket pony but I did everything and anything from showing to herding cows.

I've ridden and helped with plenty more of them over the years- all fabulous in their own ways but none of them ponies for small children.

Every time I ride out now I think how much more fun it would be on a fell :-(
 
I have a Heltondale filly, and though I'd have another in a heartbeat, I wouldn't let her near a child.

She is my first Fell, and having since learned more about the breed it seems like she is fairly typical - very sharp, fiery, determined, dominant, opinionated.... my perfect horse!
 
I've had a bunch of Fell ponies and if I hadn't been to Iceland and ridden Icelandics I would still have them now.
I got my first one when I was 13 and did everything with him, showing, jumping, driving and riding holidays. I had better bred ones after that and did some bigger shows. Always found them reliable, tough ponies who would tackle anything but would always have one eye on getting their own way if they thought they could get away with it :D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10643413@N04/4872315979/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10643413@N04/7574969970/
 
We used to have a Fell pony, they are great fun and full of character but as others have said, not really suitable for a young person unless they are a strong rider. Obviously there is exception to the rule, because they are stocky they can be very strong and rather "rubber necked"!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top