Fell Ponies

[emma314]

Hello everyone! Not been on NR for ages cos I haven't been having too much to do with horses lately. I've been going from one job to the next (each one worse than the last ) so have had no money for riding! I have still been managing to get out hacking on Ahab every now and then though.

HOWEVER... as of last weekend, I have another little project in the pipeline! My Mum bumped into a lady who had my old pony on loan and she told her that she had been trying to contact me to see if I could help her out with her new pony. So last weekend, I went over to see her.

She's a 4 year old Fell pony who has not been handled much. She is pretty good to groom and catch but is a devil to lead! It took 6 adults to get her into the field when she arrived and she jumped over a 4ft wall twice! We are going to take things really slowly with her. Get her used to being led in the field before trying to take her anywhere else. We thought about getting her used to a bridle as well so we'd have a bit more control! Just generally start bonding with her and get her used to everything (she hadn't even seen cars before her new owner got her!).

Does anyone on here have a Fell? What sort of training methods work best with them? What are their character's like? Also, any tips in general for working with young, unhandled ponies! I've worked with youngsters in the past but they've mostly been pretty well handled from a young age so this one is a bit different!

Sorry for the long post, I'm just so glad to be back in the world of horses again (and it's nice to pop back into New Rider ).

[cvb]

we have a fell - he's 21 this year and has been with us since he was four. We reckon he is a diesel model

Someone else at a show - jumping a fell mare - commented "some days she does, some days she doesn't"

I think they have some pretty commin native traits. Can be quite late to mature mentally (ours is almost there... at 21 !)

Duds has pretty much had a go at everything - other than western, side saddle, driving (but he long reins). He was never outstanding at anything - but neither was he awful. He seems to quite like looking after children when given the chance (sadly not something I have been able to provide for him).

[Jenbee]

Fell ponies are great but incredibly cheeky!

Ive met many who, just like you describe, are well aware of their strength and not afraid to haul a few adults around on the end of a lead rope

Theyre generally lovely friendly ponies though especially when you get to know them properly and build up a bond with them, and theyll usually do everything fairly well (eg bit of jumping jumping, shows, little endurance rides etc)
Most of them ive known havent benefitted from the 'softly softly' approach if thats any good to you, had far more success with 'this is the way it is - get on with it!' type thing because theyre very cheeky and intelligent and like to get their own way

Theyre also usually super economical - which is always good

Jen x

[Lot1983]

[QUOTE=cvb;1553317]- commented "some days she does, some days she doesn't"QUOTE]

Yup that sums them up!!!

Mine had a lovely trot, quite flashy. Great on the ground, hard work to ride!

[emma314]

Thanks for the advice

cvb - I think that's just what her owners want - a nice all rounder who can do a bit of everything. LOL, that mare sounds just like my old Welsh C - some days she'd jump a round beautifully, some days we'd be eliminated on the first fence!

Jen - thanks for the tips - I think that the softly softly approach sounds like the way to go. Yeah, the leading is the biggest problem at the moment, we don't even want to risk taking her out of the field in case she takes off!

Lot - I just hope we can get the groundwork right to begin with. She's a very sweet girl but I can imagine she's going to be a handful!

[molly34]

I think Jen meant softly-softly ISN'T the right way to go!
The Fells and Dales I've come across are loving and versatile, especially once you've got a bond, but they're also proper cheeky and can be stubborn as hell.
Softly softly will probably get you walked all over (or at least hauled round the field again) - setting boundaries and staying firm but fair is probably the best way to go (imo anyways)

emma314

We have Fells here, and I've worked with a few for other people.

I find they respond very well to a training (pressure) halter; indeed some of them as youngsters would be nearly impossible without one, as they just lean against a normal headcollar and are difficult to control.

Once they (quickly) learn how the training halter works, they are much easier.

[Jenbee]

Originally Posted by molly34

I think Jen meant softly-softly ISN'T the right way to go!

Thats right - lol

Originally Posted by molly34

Softly softly will probably get you walked all over (or at least hauled round the field again)

Definately agree with that!
Like you say very firm but fair if you want to earn their respect and once the balance is right they make the most wonderful ponies

x

[emma314]

Oh, sorry Jen, totally misread what you meant! Yeah, that makes a lot more sense!

I think the move a couple of weeks ago was pretty traumatic for her as she came down in the trailer with her dam (they were only separated for a short time whilst she was weaned) who was then driven away again. It's taken her a while to settle in with new owners, new horses, the neighbours sheep, a busy road nearby, etc! I think we'll have to take things slowly but still give her clear boundarys.

AengusOg - thanks for the advice - I will suggest a pressure halter to her owner.

[Sumitra]

I think Highlands fit into the This is the way itis get on with it school as well!!!!

[Jenbee]

Originally Posted by Sumitra

I think Highlands fit into the This is the way itis get on with it school as well!!!!

Personally, I think its a British thing