Talk to me about Fell ponies...

[BallyRoanBaubles]

A friend of a friend has the most lovely fell pony up for sale, I'm sorely tempted but no time for two!

Are there any other small adults (5'4) that have gone from a 16hh to a 13.2? Do they tend to be good doers?

What discipline/level of competition?

Bonus if pics

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Well, if it's good enough for the queen....

I used to ride a fell as a teenager, and honestly still to this day she's my favourite pony I've ever ridden. Very comfy, not at all choppy (but I think she was maybe more like 14hh) Bright, merry, forward going but completely safe. But I understand that this might have just been one saint of a pony!

 

[RHM]

Can’t speak more highly about fells! I have one who is a absolute star! I am also 5’4 and I don’t think I look too tall on him. They are very good doers, mine literally could survive in an apocalypse!
I used mine for working hunter until he got injured in the field ? he is a excellent hack and a very convenient height to get on and off! They are the most loving ponies and mine is such a people person! I will root out some photos!

 

[RHM]

Photos of the little champ in question. Just the most kissable nose!

 

[Lintel]

I used to ride a lovely fell for an older lady. He was superb, strong and responsive but very safe! Very versatile to, I don't think there is anything he hadn't had a go at. He was a very wide boy to ride and had abit of a table top back so saddle fitting was a bit of a pain but it can be with all horses or ponies.
I'm 5,1 so not exactly in the best position to be commenting on how they take up leg, he was ridden by 5,7 fairly regularly and she didn't look out of place.

Big pros:
Your a lot closer to the ground if you do come off.
You can laugh at those attempting to remount their horses from the ground.
You've got an inbuilt oh sh**t strap in the form of a gigantic make.

.. and of course most of them are dark so hide the dirt!

 

[MuddyMonster]

I don't own a Fell but went from a 16.3oh TB/ISH to a 13.3hh native pony. I'm 5'5/6, if that's any help.

Our biggest issue was getting a saddle to suit his wide but short back. We went down the made to measure route and it's worked for us.

I love the native pony character - but on occasion it can be infuriating! He can be harder work to manage as he's such a good do-er and the weight management could be tough as not all yards cater so well for his needs. We've found a fab place now though which has made a big difference

He's tough, hardy and a real 4 x 4 type so can take him anywhere.

I'm not competitive so mainly just hack with bits of TREC and low level dressage/jumping thrown in.

I don't regret making the swap!

 

[Quigleyandme]

You can’t beat a large hairy for temperament, versatility, health and soundness and fun.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I've had a number over the years having bred but also backed and shown a fair few, fab ones with (usually!) a good work ethic.
Current one is just under 14hh is cheerful and always willing. I've shown her lightly last year and did very well. We do a lot of RC these days etc and she'll cheerfully pop 90 (even if its a 50 log on the floor).

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I used to ride a lovely fell for an older lady. He was superb, strong and responsive but very safe! Very versatile to, I don't think there is anything he hadn't had a go at. He was a very wide boy to ride and had abit of a table top back so saddle fitting was a bit of a pain but it can be with all horses or ponies.
I'm 5,1 so not exactly in the best position to be commenting on how they take up leg, he was ridden by 5,7 fairly regularly and she didn't look out of place.

Big pros:
Your a lot closer to the ground if you do come off.
You can laugh at those attempting to remount their horses from the ground.
You've got an inbuilt oh sh**t strap in the form of a gigantic make.

.. and of course most of them are dark so hide the dirt!

My current boy is grey so dark to hide the dirt would be most welcome

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Buy it.

Nothing more needs said.

 

[tda]

Buy it.

Nothing more needs said.

This ?

 

[Gloi]

I've had a bunch over the years and highly recommend them. I can't say anything about moving down in size to one as I've never had anything over 14.2. Yes they are good doers.
They are very tough creatures in mind and body but will do a bit of anything. Here's one of mine - no here're some of mine, all pics are from a while ago though , wish I was that youthful now I did showing and native working hunter to a good level, endurance to 35 miles, dressage to novice , played about with the local driving club and won the handy pony points cup at the riding club show a time or two. Did occasional hunter trials and a team chase once too which was the scariest thing I've ever done

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Oh they look fabulous Gloi!

How would they cope with a bit of XC? Talking low level RC stuff, probably over BE80 level courses max. I know it depends on the horse etc but in general.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Oh they look fabulous Gloi!

How would they cope with a bit of XC? Talking low level RC stuff, probably over BE80 level courses max. I know it depends on the horse etc but in general.

Easy!

 

[fiwen30]

My first share was a Fell pony. Beautiful mare, calm, placid, put up with the antics of a 14 year old naive novice. She could be very stubborn, and not knowing any better I think I inadvertently let her away with a lot! We’d suit each other much better now, and I’d have another tomorrow.

 

[Gloi]

Oh they look fabulous Gloi!

How would they cope with a bit of XC? Talking low level RC stuff, probably over BE80 level courses max. I know it depends on the horse etc but in general.

.
You can laugh at how much I'm getting left behind as he launched himself over that little fence a stride early These two beggars would tackle anything .

 

[wills_91]

When we go pony shopping in the next year or so (hopefully!) a fell is the top of my list x

 

[Quigleyandme]

We never queued when hunting. If he couldn’t get under, over or around it he would just go through it. Once the field was halted at this deep, wide, dry gully. Max slid down one side and scrambled up the other followed by a few proper hunters who were too big to do the manoeuvre so neatly and gave their riders a fright. He was always a show off.

 

[cumbriamax]

Oh they look fabulous Gloi!

How would they cope with a bit of XC? Talking low level RC stuff, probably over BE80 level courses max. I know it depends on the horse etc but in general.

Lunesdale Wardance compered in BE80 and Peepings Aragorn (Aragorn has his own FB page) definitely jumps xc type fences.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Lunesdale Wardance compered in BE80 and Peepings Aragorn (Aragorn has his own FB page) definitely jumps xc type fences.

Followed his FB page he looks ace!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Oh they look fabulous Gloi!

How would they cope with a bit of XC? Talking low level RC stuff, probably over BE80 level courses max. I know it depends on the horse etc but in general.

My fell pony took me round 4 double clears unaf eventing as a 5 year old. She was lovely. 80 would have been about her limit though.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

My fell pony took me round 4 double clears unaf eventing as a 5 year old. She was lovely. 80 would have been about her limit though.

Would you have said 80 was her limit height wise or ground distance to cover? What I mean is would she have gone higher SJ only but not XC?

 

[cumbriamax]

Followed his FB page he looks ace!

Doesn't he just. It was quite funny really i bought a fell pony colt at the Fell Pony Breeding Society sale last year and it turns out he is out of the same mare as Peepings Aragorn.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Would you have said 80 was her limit height wise or ground distance to cover? What I mean is would she have gone higher SJ only but not XC?

She did jump slightly higher SJ and inviting XC jumps but I would not have felt confident putting her round a BE90 track. When you add in the brush rule the jumps can be huuuuge. Plus they are wide, solid and scary! And she could never make the time anyway.

But she was the pony who inspired my love of eventing. She never said no so taking her XC was a joy.

 

[melle]

A friend of a friend has the most lovely fell pony up for sale, I'm sorely tempted but no time for two!

Are there any other small adults (5'4) that have gone from a 16hh to a 13.2? Do they tend to be good doers?

What discipline/level of competition?

Bonus if pics

The best money I ever spent was ona 4 year old Fell mare (13.1hh) She has done endurance rides, cross country, dressage and led the children out hacking with me on board (5'7) . She is now jumping and pony clubbing with my 9 year old daughter. She has the best work ethic; so buzzy and up for some fun. Super safe in traffic however she is very very strong and we need to tweak the brakes. Would buy another in a heart beat.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

When I was competing in NPS and Ponies UK WHP classes the opens were 3ft to 3ft 3, with spread up to 3ft 6. (yes it was way back in the 80's and 90's, I did this for over 20 yrs). Had 5 different Fell's through to the finals.
Gloi would remember Wolds Goldfinch, possibly Drybarrows Lady Jane too amongst them
Goldfinch and I sucessfully completed pre novice in 85 and 86
Fells either jump or they don't as far as i have found.

 

[[139672]]

I used to have a Fell Pony. He was amazing. I did everything with him, except endurance. Mainly showing and showjumping. He was a brilliant jumper. We were on the West Sussex Riding Club’s showjumping team and we won the South Coast Championship. He jumped double clear in every class whilst in the team. We did puissance classes and open showjumping classes. The highest he jumped was about 5.2ft in a puissance class. Good doer, great feet. He was barefoot in the winter, shod summer. He had a full clip in winter as stabled overnight. I really do miss him ?. I lost him 25 years ago when he was 21.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

There is a lesson pony at the yard who is a fell and he is a SAINT. I mean, he tolerates anything from the kids and is just a good all around pony. He's still quite young I think. Less than 10, anyway.

He's cheeky though.

Story from today:

I undo the lower strand of electric fencing and clip it to the top portion, so it's "one" and go to fetch my horse who is a short distance away at the round bale. Fell pony walks away from the round bale and past me toward the gate. Hm. Weird. He proceeds to fit himself under the fence, and knock off the lower part, and finds himself a blade of grass (like literally a blade) to eat. I calmy ushered him back into the field and secured both upper and lower potions of the fence gate. Then caught my horse. He saw the opportunity and went for it! He's been escaping for years I guess. Just walks/squeezes through the electric (under the top and over the bottom if it's only 2 strand) when the mood strikes. YO says he has too much hair and doesn't feel it ? but he only goes to some grass (even though there is grass on the field) not far away and the field isn't near a road or anything. But what an opportunist.

 

[minesadouble]

Sorry to jump on this thread but I'm considering a Fell for my daughter who has outgrown her 12.2.
Any ideas for the best place to look for a Fell pony with a bit experience under its belt?

 

[Jeni the dragon]

I've had my fell mare for nearly 21 years. She's fabulous fun but definitely more an adults pony than a child's one!
I'm a shortarse so I don't have to worry though I had a sharer who was a decent 5'7" and she had no problems.
She has a real sense of humour. Clashes with my sister and is she doesn't want to catch sometimes you've no chance!
I'm pretty sure 14hh is the breed limit.