The Fell Pony Today

The Fell is an ideal all-round family pony suitable for both adults and children. 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. The Riding for the Disabled movement employs a number as mounts. 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 appear to know which is the soundest track through soft marshy ground or the safest descent of a rocky hillside.

To test these qualities the Fell Pony Society holds an annual performance trial where the course comprises a varied range of difficult terrain including steep and twisting hills, boggy ground, a watercrossing and several natural hazards such as fallen logs and the like. Fell Ponies are generally creditable jumpers, particularly across country, being both agile and clever on their feet. Their abilities are well up to working hunter pony competitions and Pony Club events.

The rediscovery of Driving as a recreational sport has given the Fell pony the means of continuing in a job which it has traditionally done for centuries. They are well suited to this work, having great stamina and soundness. The fact that the Fell Ponies breed very true to type makes it easy to find matched pairs.

Fells take part in endurance riding and Cumbrian trotting races. They perform light forestry and farm work such as shepherding, and carry tourists on pony treks. They transport equipment to help repair walking routes. A few Fell Ponies are still used in Scotland carrying the stags and grouse panniers down from the moors. Some of HM The Queen's ponies are sometimes used for this purpose at Balmoral while others are used for both riding and driving by the Royal Family. In the 21st C Fells have become popular and successful in dressage and Trec competitions. Large numbers of Fell Ponies are used in riding and trekking stables throughout the country because of their steady temperaments and useful size.

All these attributes make the Fell pony an all round versatile family pony.