Fell Pony

What is a Fell Pony?

A native pony from the fells of Cumbria and the northern Pennines, up to 14 hands, usually black. Strong, deep-bodied and short-legged with silky feather, a thick mane and tail, and a notably fast, ground-covering trot.

They are closely related to the Dales pony and both descend from the extinct Galloway.

History and origins

Descended from the Galloway pony, used by the Romans on Hadrian's Wall and later by the fell farmers of Cumbria for shepherding, carting and pack work - a Fell would carry 100kg of lead ore over the fells daily.

They were also the pack pony of choice for the wool and smuggling trades, valued for speed at a trot. The Fell Pony Society was founded in 1916 and the RBST lists the breed.

Appearance and size

132-142cm, 350-450kg. Deep through the girth with strong flat bone, hard feet, and feather at the heel. A neat pony head with a bold eye.

Black predominates; brown, bay and grey are permitted. White markings are minimal - a star or a little white on a hind foot.

Temperament and personality

Sensible, willing and hardy in outlook as well as constitution. Fells are bold without being sharp, good in traffic and steady on a hill.

They are strong-minded, as most natives are, and reward consistent handling.

Intelligence and trainability

Clever and quick to learn, and they hold their training. They drive exceptionally well - the trot is the breed's signature - and they do trekking, riding club work, endurance and showing.

They mature slowly and should not be worked hard until four or five.

Children and other pets

A good family pony: substantial enough for an adult, sensible enough for a competent child. As always, match the pony's education to the rider's.

Live out in herds and are entirely sensible around dogs, traffic and livestock.

Health problems

Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS). The one that matters, and the one thing a buyer must ask about.

FIS is a recessive disorder found in Fell and Dales ponies. Affected foals are born apparently normal, then develop anaemia and immune failure in the first weeks and always die, usually by three months. Carriers are completely healthy and show nothing.

There is a simple, cheap DNA test. Two carriers must never be bred together. The carrier rate in the breed is meaningful - historically estimated around 38 per cent - so this is not a rare theoretical risk. Any breeder should know the status of both parents, and in 2026 there is no excuse for an untested mating.

Laminitis. As with every native, from an efficient metabolism on rich grazing.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome and PPID, both blood-testable.

Mud fever and feather mites through a wet winter. Sweet itch.

Otherwise sound, hard-footed and long-lived - twenty-five to thirty years.

Daily care routine

Daily checks, feet out daily, and winter checks under the feather. Farrier every six to eight weeks, many barefoot and sound, teeth annually, vaccinations annually, worm counts through the season.

Condition-scored fortnightly under that coat.

Grooming and coat care

Thick winter coat, heavy spring moult, and a full mane, tail and feather - all traditionally left natural for showing and all needing real attention through a wet Cumbrian winter.

Exercise needs

Moderate to high, and important for weight. Three to five sessions a week of riding or driving. They have excellent stamina and carry weight easily for the size.

Feeding and diet

Very little beyond forage. Soaked hay in winter and a vitamin and mineral balancer. No hard feed unless in real work.

Price

£2,000-£6,000 for a sound, schooled pony; £7,000-£15,000 for a proven show or driving animal. Registered stock costs more, and the population is small.

Keeping one costs £2,500-£5,500 a year.

Buying advice

Ask for the FIS DNA status of both parents. This is the single most important question about a Fell pony, the test costs very little, and a breeder who has not done it is one to walk away from. If you are buying a mare you may breed from, get the pony itself tested.

Ask whether the pony is registered with the Fell Pony Society and see the papers - the breed is on the RBST watchlist.

Passport and microchip. Ride it, see it caught from the field, and get a five-stage vetting. Ask about laminitis and look under the feather for mud fever scarring.