Tell me about your Fell ponies

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cheeryplatypus

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As title really.
I currently have a highland who does everything (xc, showing WH etc) with a smile, and I've seen a lovely fell for sale. I would like to know more about the breed. Are they similar to highlands in personality (friendly and food orientated etc)? Are there any problems with the breed?
I'd keep my highland but it would be fun to enter other classes too like middle height workers etc.

I weigh about 7 1/2 stone and am around 5'4" tall. My highland is 14.2hh and the fell I've seen is 13.1hh but I think it would carry my weight (in the picture it's being jumped by an adult and I'm aware they were bred to carry grown men around the hills). My husband weighs just over 12st but he wouldn't really be rising it as we would still have my highland.

Thank you
 
My friend breeds them and he is at least 6ft tall, muscular build and takes his 13.1 hunting regularly. He also has them broken to drive and does weed wiping and logging with them. I think they are very nice ponies although not that much experience of them, I did back one for someone and it was a nice wee person.
 
I adore my little pocket rocket, she's 13.2hh and I'm 5ft 5ins but they take up your leg well. She is fun to do, loving and will turn a hoof to most things.

And she is soooo pretty!
 
They're amazing!

Will try their heart out at what ever you ask them, and have the speed and grit to hunt all day with the biggest 'hunters'. I'm 5'7 and have done 5 seasons on my 13.3hh.

My lad will jump anything I'm brave enough to point him at, and will go anywhere he's asked.

They definitely have 'character', but are very loving, and loyal!

I couldn't rate a breed any higher x
 
Hmm, you're all encouraging me :D
Is 4K quite a lot for one? Only really been looking at getting a second highland up to now so not sure about the going rate for Fells. They sound fab from what you have all said so far!
 
Mine is completely barking mad with a suicidal streak, but I wouldn't change her now. As she is only two I'm hoping she will grow out of her bad points.

On the plus side she is brave, loving, very trainable and absolutely stunning to look at!
She is also very opinionated with a will of iron which I think is a characteristic of the breed; channel that determination in the right direction and you have a fantastic all rounder.
 
Mine is the lovliest thing on four legs, by far the easiest little thing on my yard! Mine stands a huge 12.3hh lol, but he is as wide as he is tall and takes up my leg well ( im 5,3.)
I dont find them nearly as stubborn or opinated as highlands ( have known and owned a few)
He is very food orientated, has been known to sneak under mains electric fences, and you cant leave rugs anywhere near him, ie hanging up or over walls doors etc.
Mine has only been broken a couple of months, as he was a working stallion on the fells up until a year ago, and he has taken to it like a duck to water.:D
He hacks, drives, schools, will pop a wee jump and has done amazingly well showing in hand this year, wouldnt be without him now! If they are very hairy then it is a lot of work managing it properly and obviously they can get fat on fresh air, so the weight can need waching (but if you already have a highland then it will be second nature to you) Price wise I would say id like it to have a good comp record (showing/whp/xc) for that money, there is a native pony sale (inc fell pony sciety sale) at Penrith in a couple of weeks, and broken and quiet ponies do tend to go for a lot, lot less than the money you are speaking about, really depends on what your looking for though, good luck.
 
It's interesting about the prices of Fell ponies, there seem to be loads of them on Preloved for very little money - even considering the economic climate; albeit many of them are youngsters rather than 'made' ponies.

There's also location to consider, since most of them seem to be located in Cumbria/Lancs/Yorkshire.
 
We have a lot of highlands round here and quite a few fells too.

Thye're not known for being particularly easy ponies. They can be very opinionated and full of 'character' (read 'naughty' ;) ) They're not usually good kids ponies.

They are a very different type of horse from the highland. Usually much more fizzy and forwards, not nearly as stoic, a lot more stressy and excitable. They are FAR less easy than a good highland. There's a reason most seem to be ridden in a pelham ;)

They're generally really good fun to ride as they are fizzy, forwards and proper little pocket-rockets. It'd be terrifying if they were 16hh (or even just highland sized!) but they're dinky enough for it to be great fun. They'll turn their hoof to anything too although they can have a short stride, find canter harder and not known for being great jumpers (but then no native is going to SJ at foxhunter level!). They'd make fabulous driving ponies!

It think they're stunning looking ponies but they're not big enough for me to be worth the hassle of their attitude.
 
I currently have a 14hh Fell, she is a great all rounder and I love her to bits. I've had dealings with about four other fell ponies, they varied in their characters, all but one was willing to please and easy to do. Like all breeds, the individual personality and temperament can vary.

Personally I'd say you won't go wrong with a Fell, but I am biased. :)
 
Lol, Kallibear its funny how opinion varies, you have just described every highland ive known, yet doesnt resemble any fell i know of!! :D:D OP id go and meet some and try some out rather than take our biased opinions lol lol!!:D
 
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I certainly think a Fell could be quite horrible in the hands of a novice. Mine is sharp as a tack and has no compunction in venting her anger on anyone who isn't quite on the ball. She is currently in a mixed herd of five and is the boss of them all even though she is the youngest.
She loves having her brain kept busy and learns everything very quickly; giving her things to do is the secret to keeping her on side, like many horses.
 
Kallibear said:
We have a lot of highlands round here and quite a few fells too.

Thye're not known for being particularly easy ponies. They can be very opinionated and full of 'character' (read 'naughty' ;) ) They're not usually good kids ponies.

They are a very different type of horse from the highland. Usually much more fizzy and forwards, not nearly as stoic, a lot more stressy and excitable. They are FAR less easy than a good highland. There's a reason most seem to be ridden in a pelham ;)

They're generally really good fun to ride as they are fizzy, forwards and proper little pocket-rockets. It'd be terrifying if they were 16hh (or even just highland sized!) but they're dinky enough for it to be great fun. They'll turn their hoof to anything too although they can have a short stride, find canter harder and not known for being great jumpers (but then no native is going to SJ at foxhunter level!). They'd make fabulous driving ponies!

It think they're stunning looking ponies but they're not big enough for me to be worth the hassle of their attitude.
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I completely disagree with pretty much every single thing you have said about Fell ponies! Most of them aren't fizzy, stressy, strong or the likes. Not great jumpers? Guess what breed won it's height class in the Workers at HOYS 2 years in a row beating all the Welshies and Connies?!?!? Yeah! A Fell!

My own fell pony is a genuinely lovely little pony, very attentive, very quick to learn, an easy, well mannered ride and jumps 5bar gates and round straw bales like they are nothing. To deal with on the ground he is an absolute gem. Not a bad bone in his body. To take out and about he is the most chillaxed pony I have and quite likes seeing the sights and sticking his nose into everything quite the thing.

I would kindly suggest you go and find yourself a few Fell ponies to ride before you start dolling out that drivle.
 
Fells are great. My first pony was a Fell and he could be a little naughty at times but when used for RDA was an absolute angel. I do remember galloping up the main road on him though!! My friend has a number of Fells and I have to say though they can be opinionated i've never met a fizzy stressy one in my life. I'll see if I can dig out a pic of me riding my friends little 13hh Stallion. I'm 5'6 but he completely takes up my leg.
 
Fells are awesome!

Although like many have said here they are generally not for complete novices. Mine is very bright (read, constantly finds ways to try and avoid working in the school!) and very very stubborn! The biggest thing my pony has taught me over the last 2.5 years is patience!

Saying that he is a dream to handle, travel etc. If something spooks him he is the type of pony that will look and make a decision not have hysterics over something minor - usually out hacking if we meet something spooky like balloons, carrier bags etc. he will look at it and then walk up and stick his nose in it!

I do understand what Kallibear is saying about the jumping - Fells have a naturally up-down action so they will never have the scope you can get in a big dales or especially against the welsh d's or connies. They're fine in the middle height workers but a friend of mine had a 14hh fell she used to compete in the large height section and in the big summer champs tracks he used to struggle a bit. Not sure if they've altered the heights now as it was 10 years ago!

EKW: Brooksan Kitchner won the middle height section not the large I believe.

I'm a huge fan of the breed and would have another (and another and another) in a heartbeat!

I've not got much of a clue OP but I would say in today's market you would be wanting to make sure you got a nice and quite established proven pony for 4K.
 
A friend has kindly lent us a 13.3hh Fell for my 14 year old boy to learn to ride on. He is a real character :D

good points - he lives out all year, without restricting his grazing and has never had laminitis; he doesn't require extra food (though he will mug you or another horse); he doesn't need rugs or clipping; he doesn't require much grooming - a definite bonus for a boy! he is required to be completely natural, no trimming etc. He can jump - 90cm course, do dressage, win M & M classes, I believe he hunts and does games; he does RDA; he pulls a trap. And he has taught my boy to ride.

bad points - he can whip round; most of the time he objects to heaving himself over 20cm; he pretends he's scared of fillers; he drops his shoulder; he charges off with little warning; he is very strong; because he believes he is starved, he tows you to the nearest tasty bit of grass; he walks through fences - electric and wood.

But we absolutely love him, I didn't think I liked hairy creatures, but I really do - my son has out grown him really, but I can't see him letting him go anytime soon and I like pretending to be the Queen when I hack him out. I would definitely have another, or may be I'll try to keep this one.
 
maverick6.jpg
maverick2.jpg

Here we go, got an excellent foal picture somewhere too
 
Walrus said:
EKW: Brooksan Kitchner won the middle height section not the large I believe.
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Yup he did indeed win the middle height section, won the Championship too. *cough*and then got measured out of that class*cough* :D

My lad, Lownthwaite Jasper:

They don't all have big ugly heads either ;)

Jasper.jpg




Who say's they can't jump?!

jaspjump.jpg
 
DIdn't realise he got measured out? How come he managed to place in the middle height section this week then? Or am I mixing him up with someone else? Have to admit to not following showing too closely at the moment as my lad needs a lot more work before I let him out in public!

And I didn't say they didn't jump, just realistically they may struggle for scope against a big Connie or a d. But I would say the same about a highland too.
 
The fells I have met have been fun, sure footed, beautiful, hardy but opinionated and strong. I have met quite a few good jumpers too. They are not backwards in coming forwards. The problem I have found is that because of their size and hardiness they fall into the hands of novice children which IMO is not a good combination. They are, and were always meant to be, adult rides.
 
It wasn't Kitchner that measured out. It was Quarry House Jasper who won the Top Height Class and then the Championship got called for re-measurement after HOYS and was on the very, very limit of the height restrictions for Fells.

Linnel Rappier II also won at HOYS in the middle height section a few years ago.
 
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Ah, with you now. Assumed you were referring to last year, that's why I xas confused! Sorry OP for going off course! Let us know if you decide to go for a fell, I'm sure you won't regret it!
 
Fells are amazing! Ive had the pleasure of owning 2 of them and they were both awesome ponies. :)

My second pony was a 3yr old Fell that had just been broken in, he was 13.2hh and an amazing example of the breed. We had tough times untill he was about 7/8 years old and then he matured and became the most reliable, safe all rounder. Very food orientated.

My other Fell is 13.1hh and ive had him since he was 2, he is now 10 and a really fun pony, turns his hoof to anything and is safe. He also had his issues while growing up.

I dont know if its true in all cases of the breed but it is for mine, i was told if you get a fell with a good canter then they will be good jumpers. Mine both have a nice canter on them and can jump 1.20m...lol
 
I really like them but my friend who has them says that a good one is worth the money but there are some who are not worth the money. Has the fell done really well in the show ring? They don't make the money that highlands don't not sure why though...
 
EKW said:
I completely disagree with pretty much every single thing you have said about Fell ponies! Most of them aren't fizzy, stressy, strong or the likes. Not great jumpers? Guess what breed won it's height class in the Workers at HOYS 2 years in a row beating all the Welshies and Connies?!?!? Yeah! A Fell!

My own fell pony is a genuinely lovely little pony, very attentive, very quick to learn, an easy, well mannered ride and jumps 5bar gates and round straw bales like they are nothing. To deal with on the ground he is an absolute gem. Not a bad bone in his body. To take out and about he is the most chillaxed pony I have and quite likes seeing the sights and sticking his nose into everything quite the thing.

I would kindly suggest you go and find yourself a few Fell ponies to ride before you start dolling out that drivle.
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I've ridden quite a few fell ponies. My friend grew up in cumbria and spend many years breaking and riding fells. Best friend has one. Another friend shows hers at a high level. They all have the similar traits I described. I think they're fun, and stunningly beautiful sometimes, but they're not particularly easy. Most people with a knowlege of fells will tell you that too!

Not sure what a picture of a fell badly jumping a 1ft stick is meant to prove about their jumping? Apart from the fact he/she is a pelham ;) They're often not very good at it (yes, they'd get round local show clear round but would stuggle at 75cm). Some are extremely good jumpers but the exception proves the rule. Archina point about canter is a good one: some have poor canter and it's linked to a poor jump.

As I said, they are good fun but not particularly easy ponies. To tell the OP that they're like an easy-natured highland (which most highlands are is misleading.
 
Kallibear said:
I've ridden quite a few fell ponies. My friend grew up in cumbria and spend many years breaking and riding fells. Best friend has one. Another friend shows hers at a high level. They all have the similar traits I described. I think they're fun, and stunningly beautiful sometimes, but they're not particularly easy. Most people with a knowlege of fells will tell you that too!


As I said, they are good fun but not particularly easy ponies. To tell the OP that they're like an easy-natured highland (which most highlands are is misleading.
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I def agree with you here, they can be especially challenging through there teen years. My 2 had a chapter in nearly every naughty trait from kicking to bolting. They will try to take advantage if they can get away with it and need confident and experienced handling. They do mellow as they get older though. Still, its hard not to love them! lol
 
I rode my uncle's Fell and he was absolutely brilliant. Cheeky, funny, really clever. As others have said he was very food orientated. He had a great canter and a fab little jump. I love him, I'm still a bit sorry that I didn't take him for my own when I was given the chance. Only reason I didn't was because I was worried that when fighting fit he wouldn't take up my leg; I have very long legs even though I'm short. However, I think I was utterly wrong and we'd have been fine. If I get chance to have two horses he will be my second. Love the breed now despite no previous experience with them.

4k would be fair for a relatively young chap who'd done it all. My one was bombproof and wonderful and was 2k.
 
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