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Fell
Watchlist; Category 4, At Risk.
The Galloway pony of South-West Scotland - favoured mount of Border raiders, and the Friesian horse used by the Romans, were ancestors of the Fell Pony. A stallion named Lingcropper, found on Stainmore in 1745, was probably a Galloway and became the most famous foundation animal of the Fell Pony.
The Fell Pony is found on the western slopes of the Pennines, and in the adjacent hills of Westmorland. Until recently herds of free-ranging ponies ran on the Cumbrian fells. Like its close relative, the Dales Pony, it was used as a pack animal, but it always has been noted for its remarkable trotting ability, both under saddle and in harness.
The Fell Pony is smaller than the Dales Pony, and stands up to 14 hh. They are strong and hardy, and now are used for riding and driving. They are also useful for logging, being able to move up steep slopes that would be difficult for tractors. Colours are black, brown, bay or grey. Cistercian monks also used them and it is thought that they introduced the colour grey, as ‘white’ stock was the sign of monastic ownership.