Kirkcarrion Highland Ponies

Like the Dales, the Fell originated from breeding imported Friesian horses to local native ponies away back in history. The characteristic black heavy pony with lots of bone and feather shows this origin, although (again like Dales) some Fells also come in grey or bay - to the consternation of M&M judges!

Over time, the Dales and Fell breeds grew apart, mainly through geographical separation on the east and west of the Pennines respectively. The Fell is slightly shorter and stockier than the Dales, with a height restriction of 14hh. They made superb pack ponies before the Industrial Revolution and the coming of modern transport put them out of work, but the modern Fell has found new activities in which to excel - trekking and driving in particular. Prince Philip has promoted the Fell through his driving activities with a team of Fell ponies, and the future of the breed seems assured.

However, the appearance of "Fell Pony Syndrome" cut a swathe through the numbers, with a large number of foals dying young of some unknown cause. Research has indicated this may be due to a weakness in the genes of some ponies which through shortage of numbers has infiltrated into many blood lines. Sadly the effect was to further reduce the breeding numbers and endanger the Fell pony, so the Breed Society has of course been active in supporting research at Liverpool.

The Society also supports numerous promotional and breeding activities throughout the year, details of which may be found on its web site at http://www.raresteeds.com/FellPonySociety/ (link from Breed Societies page if you can't be bothered to type it!).

Breed Standard

HEIGHT - not exceeding 14 hands (142.2 cms).
COLOUR - 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 AND 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.
CARCASS - good strong back of 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.

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Copyright ©A Douglas 1997 Last Modified: 12:37:36 Mon, 03 Jun 2002