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The Fell pony, mainly found in the northern
and western sides of the Pennines and in Cumbria, is very similar in many ways
to the Dales pony, which is its geographical neighbor. The two breeds probably
originated from the same source and then developed regional differences that
were later concentrated on by breeders so that the two variations of the breed
occurred.
The Fell is thought to be a descendant of the old Galloway
pony, which is now extinct, and also the Old Friesian horse from Europe. The
Galloway pony was a hardy Scottish breed that had many admirable qualities and
was probably had some part in the development of both the Fell and Dales pony
breeds, as well as the English Thoroughbred. The Fell has been kept a very
pure breed, and this is something the Fell Pony Society, formed in 1912, has
strived to maintain.
The Fell is an excellent pony and is very
tough and strong for its size. Like the Dales, the Fell was used for
transporting lead to the docks and also was widely used as a pack horse as
well as in harness. They are very good trotters and can cover a large amount
of ground in quite a short time. They are used frequently used for both riding
and driving, excelling in both capacities. They are incredibly versatile and
surefooted and tend to have a sensible disposition, making them ideal as
ponies for children and nervous adults.
They tend to have a small, neat pony head
set on a well-crested and longish neck. They should have strong bodies with
well-sprung ribs and muscular quarters with well let down hocks. They have
good legs with short cannon bones and well-developed knees Fells usually have
quite and abundance of mane and tail hair and a fair bunch of feathering on
the legs.
Typically they are black, dark brown, or bay, although the
occasional gray is allowed. Minimum white markings are accepted, although a
pony with an abundance of white indicates a crossbred pony that would not be
allowed an entry in the stud book. These ponies usually stand between 13 and
14 hh. The Fell is smaller and built lighter in frame than the Dales, having a
less massive body frame, and both breeds are very highly commendable.
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