Breed Profile:  Fell Pony

by Amber Powell

The Fell is a hardy pony native to Britain, averaging 13.2 hands in height, but not to exceed 14 hands.  They should exhibit true pony characteristics, with the unmistakable appearance peculiar to mountain ponies.  Fells should be built very solid, with smooth, correct movements, hard, well-formed hooves with characteristic blue frogs, and feathering which should be silky and straight on the legs.  The long mane, tail, and leg feathering should not be trimmed for shows.  Black, brown, bay and gray is allowed, along with white markings, but an excess of white is discouraged, though still able to be registered.  The early Fell was mainly used as a work horse; ploughing, sledge pulling, and transporting various goods including wool, slate, copper, and lead.  Today the Fell is known as a versatile, all-around family pony.  They are able to stand the weight of a heavy adult, but yet have a temperament suitable for young children.  Their great stamina makes them well suited in the recreational sport of Driving. 

Breed description per the Fell Pony Society:

Description of the Fell Pony and Scale of Points

HEIGHT:

Not exceeding 14 hands (142.2 cms).

COLOUR & 
MARKINGS:

Black, brown, bay and grey. Chesnuts, piebalds and skewbalds are debarred.  
A star and/or a little white on or below the hind fetlock is acceptable.  An excess of white markings is discouraged, but such ponies are eligible for registration.

HEAD:

Small, well chiselled in outline, well set on, forehead broad, tapering to nose.

NOSTRILS: 

Large and expanding.

EYES:

Prominent, bright, mild and intelligent.

EARS:

Neatly set, well formed and small.

THROAT & JAW: 

Fine, showing no signs of throatiness nor coarseness.

NECK: 

Of proportionate length, giving good length of rein, strong and not too heavy, moderate crest in case of stallion.

SHOULDERS: 

Most important, well laid back and sloping, not too fine at withers, nor loaded at the points - a good long shoulder blade, muscles well developed.

CARCASE: 

Good strong back of good outline, muscular loins, deep carcase, thick through heart, round ribbed from shoulders to flank, short and well coupled, hind quarters square and strong with tail well set on.

FEET, LEGS AND JOINTS:

Feet of good size, round and well formed, open at heels with the characteristic blue horn, fair sloping pasterns not too long, forelegs should be straight, well placed not tied at elbows, big well formed knees, short cannon bone, plenty of good flat bone below knee (eight inches at least), great muscularity of arm.

HIND LEGS:

Good thighs and second thighs, very muscular, hocks well let down and clean cut, plenty of bone below joint, hocks should not be sickle nor cow-hocked.

MANE, TAIL AND FEATHER:

Plenty of fine hair at heels (coarse hair objectionable), all the fine hair except that at point of heel may be cast in summer. Mane and tail are left to grow long.

ACTION: 

Walk, smart and true. Trot well balanced all round, with good knee and hock action, going well from the shoulder and flexing the hocks, not going too wide nor near behind. Should show great pace and endurance, bringing the hind legs well under the body when going.

GENERAL CHARACTER:

The Fell Pony should be constitutionally as hard as iron and show good pony characteristics with the unmistakable appearance of hardiness peculiar to mountain ponies, and at the same time, have a lively and alert appearance and great bone.

 

CONTACT INFO:

Fell Pony Society of North America, Inc.
c/o Sheila Amdor, Executive Secretary
17138 275th Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
712-388-2217
info@fpsna.org

Fell Pony Society and Conservancy of the Americas
125 Edwards Farm Lande
Dobson, NC 27017
(336) 374-7660
www.fellpony.org

The Fell Pony Society
North Craigs Cottage, Waterbeck
Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire DG 11 3HA
Tele/fax: 01461600606
www.fellponysociety.org

The Fell Pony Webring: http://r.webring.com/hub?ring=fellponies 

 

SHOWING:

Show your Fell Pony driving on the trail or through and  obstacle course, hacking through the woods, in a Pony Club show, in a fun or lead-line class,  just to name a few.  Just keep in mind the Fell’s kind temperament and wonderful stamina, and true pony build.