Talk:Fell pony
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[edit] Merging Fell pony and Fell Pony
Original text of Fell pony (lowercase):
The Fell pony originates from the North of England. It is a large pony averaging 13-2hh, with an upper height limit of 14 hands (142.2 cms).
Colour and 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.
The neck to be of proportionate length, giving good length of rein, strong and not too heavy, moderate crest in case of stallion. 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 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. 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.
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.
Original text of Fell Pony (uppercase):
The Fell Pony is a very versatile British Native Pony breed. It originates from the moorlands of northwestern England (Lake District). They are closely related to their geographic neighbor, the Dales Pony, but are generally lighter in build. The Fell Pony makes an excellent all round versatile family pony.
[edit] Breed Characteristics
The Fell Pony has a free and easy stride. As a hack and general riding pony, the Fell's fast walk and easy paces make it a pleasant and comfortable ride, and its sure footedness ensures a safe passage over the roughest country. It is possible to ride a Fell pony through places where other lighter bred ponies would come to grief and Fells seem to have a sixth sense which alerts them to possible danger, they seem to know which is the soundest track through soft marshy ground or the safest descent of a rocky hillside.
Fell Ponies are generally creditable jumpers, particularly across country, being both agile and very clever on their feet, which is a valuable asset when jumping "blind" when out hunting. Although most lack the scope to make top class jumping ponies, their abilities are well up to local shows or Pony Club events where many prove their worth.
Large numbers of Fell Ponies are used in riding and trekking stables throughout the country because of their steady temperaments and useful size. The Riding for the Disabled movement employs a number as mounts for both disabled children and adults.
Colour and 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.
The neck to be of proportionate length, giving good length of rein, strong and not too heavy, moderate crest in case of stallion. 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 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. 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.
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.
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. All these attributes make the Fell pony an all round versatile family pony.
[edit] Breed History
The Fell Pony is believed to have originated on the border between England & Scotland during Roman times from the crossing of imported war stallions with the local Celtic ponies. They were originally brown in colour, though over the last few decades black has become predominant, followed by brown, bay and grey.
They are primarily a working breed of pony with activity, stamina, hardiness and intelligence that enables them to live and thrive in tough conditions out on the Fells in the Lake District.
Records show that the Fell Pony was used as a packhorse, carrying lead and coal. With his sturdy body, short legs and equable disposition, these 13 hand 2-inch ponies would travel 240 miles a week, no wonder they are such good, fast walkers. However, while engaged in humdrum occupations the Fell Pony was also famed throughout the North as a fast trotter. There are many tales of distances covered at great speeds by these ponies. Now in the 21st Century, we are looking for well-trained riding and driving ponies, and the Fell makes a delightful ride, for his activity, strength and hardiness, born of generations of scrambling about the mountains, which give him great balance.
In fact, it has been said, "You cannot put a Fell Pony to the wrong job".
The Fell shares its origins with the now-extinct Galloway pony which was also the root of the Dales pony.
In 1916, the Fell Pony Society was formed "to keep pure the old breed of pony that has roamed the northern hills for hundreds of years". The breed’s numbers became very low in 1945, and a breeding "stallion enclosure" program was started, which ended in 1970. The affluent 1950's saw the beginnings of the popularity of riding for pleasure, a pursuit that has gained momentum ever since and in its wake guaranteed the future of many native breeds. The number of ponies being registered with the Fell Pony Society has risen gradually ever since.
All Fell Ponies are registered through the society, with an annual Stud Book published each year. The Societies patron is H M Queen Elizabeth II.
Today, the Fell is shown both in hand, and under saddle in showing and Worker Hunter Pony classes. They also excel at driving.
Category:Horse breeds de:Fell Pony
