Fell Ponies: An Endangered Breed
My Askham Bryan College course, Equine, has decided that our community project will be to help the local Fell Pony Society, in Westmorland, to bring a greater knowledge of these lovely ponies to the public. This will hopefully include working closely with the stud farms, breeders, fans and horse world in general to make an information center about the Fell Ponies.
Fell Ponies are native to the Cumbrian fells. The word fell is derived from the Norse word for hill, and is localised to this Northern region of England. Due to the harsh climate and rough land, Fells are small hardy animals who winter high up on the commons (land shared by farmers, often with public access) and get handled rarely. Their sharp minds and relaxed temperaments make them ideal for trekking, working hunter and family ponies.
Please let me know if you want me to keep you informed of our project or want more information about the Fell Ponies. It is very important that these ponies - of which only 6000-7000 purebreds are registered worldwide - don't die out or lose the right to run wild on the fells!
