looking for a fell pony

[grey girl]

I had my first ride on a fell pony who is a mare age 5 yrs she was very calm laid back but fairly strong nudging and showing affection.
I used to ride and need to find those relaxed muscles so it was a bumpy trot but she was lovely with me although only 12.2 hh as I am 5ft 2 sh had little amount of muscle on her shoulder so when she dropped her head there was nothing there,but I am sure as time passes this muscle will develop and she is young.

Do you think she will be easy to school and hack with ? I have lots of people with ponies in my stables who have ridden for many years and have lots of experience.my last pony when I was younger was a fell pony. Thank you

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'm a little muddled, have you bought the pony or thinking of buying?

At 5 she will still have a lot of developing to do yet, height and muscle etc.

With Fell ponies they need training with the right aids and aims, they are generally sensible souls but IF/WHEN they learn something it very much stays in their memory, so training needs to be spot on as they can and will revert to any incorrectly taught behaviour from napping, bad leading, shoving, bogging off etc etc. If you are a novice (sorry if I've got this wrong) then you do need to have experienced help to hand.

 

[grey girl]

I have had a pony before but not a fell pony ,I am a lot older now and have the patients to teach a fell pony my daughter thinks the nudging of the nose was affectionate but I think I need to show my space is my space apart from that it seems a very nice pony and not as wide as most fell ponies.
Yes I am thinking about buying it I live in the country with no riding stables but where my pony will be staying there is lots of fields and bridle ways also an arena.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Well I wish you all the best. Do ask a local instructor for help right from the start.
Fell ponies are not cheap by any means at present as ridden mares are well in excess of 2k, more likely 3 to 6k, so look after the pony well as she will hold her value and should increase it.

 

[grey girl]

Thank you for your kind words and advice.

 

[tda]

You won't go wrong with a fell pony, but nudging with her head is not affection, she's trying to boss you ☺ they do have huge personalities

 

[Quigleyandme]

My Dales was a nudger. It was his way of saying he wanted a treat.

 

[southerncomfort]

You won't go wrong with a fell pony, but nudging with her head is not affection, she's trying to boss you ☺ they do have huge personalities

Completely agree with tda.

I have a 5 year old Fell pony and trust me, if not kept in check, those little nudges turn in to full on shoves!

They are a wonderful breed though. Mine is generally very sensible, kind and laid back. He's a real character who keeps us all highly entertained. But like a lot of native ponies Fells are very clever and you do need to be careful what you're teaching them. ?

 

[grey girl]

You won't go wrong with a fell pony, but nudging with her head is not affection, she's trying to boss you ☺ they do have huge personalities

yes I said to my daughter she was being bossy but thankfully she isn't a big 12.2hh small at the front.
I will shove her back until she gets the message but I dont want to be rough .Do you thing if I show her who is boss all should be good because I really liked her.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I will shove her back until she gets the message but I dont want to be rough .Do you thing if I show her who is boss all should be good because I really liked her.

It depends on how you show her who is boss. Timing and using the correct degree of correction (not too much, not too little) is everything - and not easily taught to some people.

Ponies in particular (as opposed to horses) will soon pick it up if the handler is unsure.

 

[Skib]

Even ponies which one has handled and ridden for years, need reminding now and then that one doesnt want them in one's own space. But there is a difference between a nudge which is a tiny push and a nudge that is a tiny touch. The mare I ride, touches me rhythmically as she eats when I am just standing there doing nothing, just being with her. I let her and so she knows it is OK.
If you dont want a horse to nudge you, my view is that is pointless to nudge back. Horses are all much stronger physically than we are. You cant teach a horse not to do something by replicating the behaviour.
My first reaction is to put on the headcollar with short lead rope. Once in a head collar, the horse is in working mode and one can use the collar and rope to correct any unwanted behaviour.
Their re-testing the boundaries is not naughtiness. In a herd, the power dynamics are constantly shifting so horses re-negotiate.
As an older woman in smooth soled riding boots, I am very particular about not being pushed or towed. I find the BHS way of leading into a box a good exercise. Yard staff in a hurry will just open the stable door and the horse goes in. I circle the horse inside the box, bringing its head back to the door which I then shut. Coming between the horse and the food or haynet and claiming the box as a space which I control, establishes the pecking order.
I think Kelly Marks once described how one can use the stable to train as a substitute for a round pen. And I took it to heart. You are training the pony with everything you do. You are not waiting for the horse to do something wrong and then correcting it.

 

[southerncomfort]

I think the main thing is to be very clear about your personal space and not letting the pony wander in to it uninvited. The pony can't push on you if it's not in your personal space.

I would think about getting a trainer in that can help you establish these boundaries. As I say, they learn quickly so one or two sessions will probably be enough and then it's just a case of always being consistent.

 

[grey girl]

Hi everyone,
can anyone tell me where I can find a site with ponies for sale preferably schooled ponies for a mother and share .
I live in a small village and not aware of anything where I live so if anyone can help I will be very grateful.
I was looking for a fell but after having some rides on one I have now changed my mind anything 12.2hh to 13hh would be perfect .
Thank you

 

[suestowford]

I have a Fell and he likes to shove so I make sure I am on the watch for it, and will ask him to back up if he tries it.
He has shoved me with it really hard before now but that was when he wasn't feeling well and didn't want me fussing around him any more.