Horses : FELL PONY

Origin: The fells of the old counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Northumberland - most now Cumbria - north and north-west England.

Australian Status: 

International Status: the Fell Pony is listed as Vulnerable in its home country (500 to 900). Globally safe. According to the Equine Survival Trust via Victoria Tollman of the RBTA FB group June 2023, the international population is 6,500. This consists of all genders and ages. As the RBTA only counts breeding age mares as a simple viability measure and as horses tend to have 50-50 gender foals, that makes an international population of mares of 3,250. As some may be aged and others filles, an estimate of international numbers are 2,500 breeding age mares thus putting them in safe numbers. Yes genetic bottlenecks, non-breeding owners etc play a part but that is out of our hands, we simply do a census, create awareness and support the responsible breed organisations. We aren't a control body nor do we wish to be.

Arrived in Australia: 2007. In 1948 Linnel Sandpiper, a 4-year-old black mare and sister to Princess Margaret's pony arrived for Mrs T. Coffey at Mulgrave, Victoria. Possibly earlier importations. 

Australian Population: 27 breed age mares, 29 mares in total. 3 stallion and 2 colts as well as 12 geldings. - 2020

HIstory: A breed with ancient lineage back to prehistoric times that lived on the fells, and among others, used by Viking settlers, shepherds, miners to cart ore and farmers to cart wool. In the 20th century also used in coal mines - they had to be very strong for sustained heavy work over long hours. Classes for Fell Ponies were held at local shows in the last part of the nineteenth century and in 1898 the first to be recorded were put into the Polo Pony Stud Book. In 1922 the Fell Pony Society was begun. At times this beautiful breed has faced extinction, numbers are still low. The Royal family patronises this breed - the Queen rides one to this day, which helps keep the breed alive. The current stud in Australia owns the sire of some of Queen Elizabeth's Fell Ponies! Prince Philip uses Fell Ponies for driving.

Breed traits: An immensely strong, kind pony, with a distinctive handsome profile. Feathering. Good long, fast walk. A tremendous ground-covering trot as at one-time trotting races were popular with their owners (and occasionally still are) also a good gait to get to market, and for pleasure driving, with impressive action.

Most are black, there are also bay, grey and browns. The only white is a star and small white markings on the hind pasterns. Over half have no white at all. Height doesn't exceed 14hh. At least 8 inches of good flat bone must be seen. Well sprung ribs. Good sloping shoulder, no dumped withers nor prominent wither. hardy and wise from time on the fells, and working days. Sure-footed. Strong broad quarters, muscular thigh and gaskin. Plenty of impulsion. Steady temperament, good-natured. A congenital problem to look for is FIS - foal immunodeficiency syndrome, which can be tested for.

Uses: driving, trotting races, packing, trekking, forestry, carting, jumping, pony club, hunting (also carry deer).

Breed Organisation: In Australia the Australian Pony Stud Book http://www.apsb.asn.au/ . In Britain The Fell Pony Society  http://www.fellponysociety.org/about_breed.htm#TheFellPonyToday . In Australia the only breeder to date is Llancloudy Fell Ponies who brought the breed here in 2007 - they have an excellent website and Facebook page  http://llancloudyfellponies.com/

Additional Notes: Foal chart for the past decade https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VlreA42LEJi-EbAwh8vrOTRbk_y0-VTP/view?usp=sharing

Photo "Heading home" photographer Gina Feakin, of Llancloudy Fell Pony Stud, Australia - ponies on the stud.

Page by Janet Lane
updated June 2023 JL.

(population updated 08/05/2020 by A.Y.)

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