Photo: Heather Moreton · CC BY 2.0 horse breed · 671 on Animalso
Fell Pony: A British Mountain and Moorland Pony
- Animal
- Horse
- Type
- Pony
- Origin
- United Kingdom
The Fell pony is a mountain and moorland pony from Cumberland and Westmorland farms in northwest England. It is a versatile working breed used for riding and driving. The breed is closely related to the Dales Pony, but is a little smaller and more pony-like in build. It is noted for hardiness, agility, strength and sure-footedness.
What the Fell pony is
The Fell pony is a working mountain and moorland pony from farms in Cumberland and Westmorland, northwest England. It is used for both riding and driving.
Getting to know the breed
Begin by deciding whether you want a pony for riding, driving, or both. The Fell pony comes from the United Kingdom and is classed as a horse and a pony.
What stands out
The breed is described as versatile, hardy, agile, strong and sure-footed. These qualities are part of its working background on mountain and moorland farms.
Points to weigh
The Fell pony is a little smaller and more pony-like in build than its geographic neighbor, the Dales Pony. If you want to compare related breeds, see Horse breeds.
Pricing
No purchase price is given for the Fell pony.
Who should look elsewhere
Skip this breed if you are not looking for a pony associated with riding or driving. You can compare other options in Horse breeds from United Kingdom.
Verdict
Choose the Fell pony if its British mountain-and-moorland background and working uses match what you want from a pony. Its close relationship to the Dales Pony may help when narrowing your choice, especially if build and size matter.
What stands out
- Versatile working breed from northwest England
- Used for both riding and driving
- Known for hardiness and sure-footedness
- Agile and strong working pony
Worth knowing
- A little smaller than the related Dales Pony
- More pony-like in build than the Dales Pony
- The stated uses are riding and driving
Suits
- Riders seeking a British mountain and moorland pony
- Owners interested in riding, driving, or both
- Those drawn to hardy, sure-footed working breeds
Think twice if
- You want a larger build than a pony type
- You need a breed chosen for a purpose beyond riding or driving
In short
The Fell pony suits someone seeking a British working pony with a broad role in riding and driving. Its background on Cumberland and Westmorland farms gives the breed a clear regional identity. The profile also points to hardiness, agility, strength and sure-footedness. Consider another breed if you specifically want a larger build than this pony type or a purpose outside the uses described here.
Questions
Where does the Fell pony come from?
The Fell pony originated on Cumberland and Westmorland farms in northwest England. Its country of origin is the United Kingdom.
What was the Fell pony bred for?
It is a versatile working mountain and moorland pony, used for riding and driving.
What type of animal is a Fell pony?
It is a horse species and a pony type.
How is the Fell pony related to the Dales Pony?
The two are geographic neighbors and closely related. The Fell pony is a little smaller and more pony-like in build.
What qualities is the Fell pony noted for?
The breed is noted for hardiness, agility, strength and sure-footedness.
Is the Fell pony used for riding?
Yes. Riding is one of the uses given for the Fell pony; driving is another.
More horse breeds from United Kingdom
Lincolnshire Dray Horse United Kingdom Photo: Harold. Leeney and others · Public domain 
Old English Black United Kingdom Photo: Louis Moll and others · Public domain Other pony breeds
Windsor Grey United Kingdom Photo: Jon · CC BY 2.0 Photo credits13 photographs on this page
- Fell pony — Heather Moreton · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- Anglo European — Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- British Spotted pony — Trish Steel · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
- British Warmblood — Clément Bucco-Lechat · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Exmoor pony — Wsupermain2 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Lincolnshire Dray Horse — Harold. Leeney and others · Public domain · file page
- Lundy — Nick Stenning · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
- New Forest pony — Gillian Moy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
- Old English Black — Louis Moll and others · Public domain · file page
- Riding Pony — ThereseA · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain — Clément Bucco-Lechat · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Thoroughbred — Jeff Kubina · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
- Windsor Grey — Jon · CC BY 2.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.