{"id":557,"date":"2010-08-09T03:53:21","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T03:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=557"},"modified":"2025-10-29T00:04:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T00:04:08","slug":"fell-pony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/fell-pony","title":{"rendered":"Fell Pony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

Most of the ponies found on the British Isles made their way across the English Channel when it was still a marsh, as long ago as 1500 BC. Skeletal evidence shows that these animals looked like a cross between Tarpan<\/a> and present day Exmoor<\/a>.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

As these ponies came over they distributed themselves to different islands and therefore different climates and environments. The pockets continued to breed independent of one another and thus formed the basis for the different pony breeds found on the British Isles today. <\/p>\n

The Romans invaded Britain around 55 BC and found the native ponies to be unsuitable for their working needs (no matter how strong or hardy they were). Friesian<\/a> animals were imported to support the Romans and when the Romans withdrew from Britain they left some 1,000 Friesian<\/a> stallions in northern England. These studs were bred to local mares and became the foundation of the Fell Pony breed. <\/p>\n

The Fell Ponies stayed true to type for a long time and were seldom cross bred. They are good trotters, and became popular in the late 18th century as trotting rose in popularity. The official Fell Pony Society was formed in 1912. <\/p>\n

According to DAD-IS they are at risk and as of 2021 there were only 248 left. The Equus Survival Trust lists them as vulnerable with an estimated global population of over 6500.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 13- 14 hands
\nFriesian blood is often evident in their conformation<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is small with a straight profile
\nEyes are lively
\nEars are small and pricked
\nNeck is well-proportioned and muscular
\nBack is long and straight
\nChest is deep and broad
\nLegs are sturdy and well muscled with feathering at fetlocks
\nMane & tail are full and heavy<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

black<\/a> | grey<\/a> | bay<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Lively & intelligent
\nKind and workable
\nClever & bold<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Trotter
\nPack animal
\nRiding pony
\nShow pony
\nDriving<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

* all links open in a new window<\/small>
\nFell Pony Society<\/a>
\nFell Pony Society of North America<\/a>
\nFell Pony Society & Conservancy of the Americas<\/a>
\nFell Pony Museum<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Fell\n<\/div>\n
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Video<\/h3>\n