Fells

Carly! · #1 22nd May 2008, 11:02 AM

Hiya!

Does anyone know anything about Fells?
I've had mine several weeks now and things I've learnt about him are that he's very clever, cheeky (but not nasty), playful and also very stubborn!

Of course I've googled it, but info is always nicer coming from a non text book source!

He's 8 but he acts like he's about 3- do they mature late?

Lgd · #2 22nd May 2008, 01:15 PM

I compete one for a friend, but also know his dam, sire and two full siblings.

All cheeky, stubborn and opinionated, lots of character. Too clever for their own good at times.

As a breed they do tend to mature quite late both physically and mentally.

BJ is Dene bloodlines and quite old-fashioned in type. By Dene Demetrius who was a multi-champion both in-hand and driven. He's very like his sire, even down to some of his little habits - our farrier owned the stallion.

I'm competing elementary and medium level affiliated dressage with him. Did the winter regional championships earlier this year and placed just out of the top 10 in the medium class out of a class of over 30. Pics are from last summer on our 1st & 2nd outings together. He's just qualified for the next music freestyle regionals with 69% in elementary and 67% in the medium - who says Hairies can't do serious dressage

If I can get him to get his head round the flying changes he will go out in advanced medium later this year. He had his 18th birthday yesterday

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd....&PhotoID=17076

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd....&PhotoID=17103

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd....&PhotoID=17104

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd....&PhotoID=17105

Andries · #3 22nd May 2008, 10:27 PM

Hello,have you tried fellponyfans.com?
really nice site full of info dedicated to the fell pony!

any pics by any chance?

poniesrule · #4 22nd May 2008, 10:35 PM

I have a Fell X pony, and yes, she can be stubborn and very opinionated!!!

Do you have any pictures of your Fell? please!!!

Andries · #5 22nd May 2008, 10:47 PM

Here's my lad growing up fast!

he could do with a bath! lol

#6 22nd May 2008, 11:43 PM

He's nice...............how's he bred?

Carly! · #7 23rd May 2008, 09:05 AM

I'll have to get some piccies from my phone onto here

That and take the camera down the stables for a photo shoot!

The things I have read about Fells is that they have a wicked sense of humour and don't like to work as your submissive at all, but as an equal.

Feeling this at the moment as mines being a right little monkey. Was told to change his bit to something a little more severe, but worried this might make him play up even more.
He gets the hump and turns round on hacks because he's not allowed to stop and eat the cow parsley

He'll walk on for a while but then decides that he's had enough and bolts for home with me.
He's always leaning on the bit too.

But he absolutely adores playing games with me in the school and field.
I think he's just a lazy stubborn boy!

Andries · #8 23rd May 2008, 12:32 PM

Completely typical of the breed

mines a real cheeky monkey and will not be forced into anything,but he's very loyal and forgiving too!

he's by inglegarth premiere out of heltondale heatherbell III,Other sires and dams include waterstrolls,waverhead and tebay.. little cracker he is (he knows it too!

) and i was very lucky to get him

jazzy's girl · #9 23rd May 2008, 12:45 PM

Hi I have a fell pony who has just turned 6 and is very cheeky. Her favourite trick, when I am picking out her feet is to gently pull my t-shirt out, groom my back and the get hold of the back of my jodhpurs and "ping" them. She is also really bad at starting a game of chase on the field when one of the other owners is trying to bring her horse in early.
She can also be stubborn at times, and we usually end up going at a pace she decides - either so slow we are almost standing still, or we end up doing a mad gallop. She is very brave though and will quite often take the lead when other horses refuse to pass something really scary - you know that plastic bag that is waiting to jump out of the hedge and attack them?

Andries · #10 23rd May 2008, 01:01 PM

Lol.. soo cheeky!
i remember many moons ago at my old riding school,the yard owner/instructor used to breed fells and dales,there was tanner she was perfect but we were rarely allowed to ride her as that wouldve been cheating as she loved her job and would take her self round the arena collected and foot perfect,and she used to join in our gymkana's on her own line up and do her own little show with no-one on board! lol..
there was asia too and she had a party trick when her rider wasn't paying attention she'd take off and go back to her stable!

My lads trick is opening gates and feed rooms and getting his headcoller off! he's only a yearling!

HAYLEY GITTOES · #11 23rd May 2008, 01:25 PM

I had a Fell pony, Molly, who I adord.

I now have a Haflinger, give me a Fell anyday !!!!

chickflick1066 · #12 23rd May 2008, 03:12 PM

I'm a huge BJ fan lgd

Carly! · #13 24th May 2008, 10:26 AM

So, what would you suggest the best way to make him think that going for a nice hack is actually a good idea!

We've tried to have little successes but everytime im about to turn round after a nice enough walk and little trot he beats me to it!

I do love his personality, he's like a puppy in a huge body! Always chewing, playing and getting up to mischief as soon as you turn your back! I don't want to change this, but I'd love to go out on a nice hack too

Andries · #14 24th May 2008, 04:06 PM

What does he do? will he not go forwards or does he turn and spin?
its kinda hard to say really,unless he's not very confident then you would need to evaluate why he isn't to confident if you get what i mean?
is he like this in company? cause perhaps you could arrange to take him out with others putting him behind till his confidence increases and then putting him infront,or take him for very small hack's gradually increasing,sorry i'm not a great help,but may have more advice with more details

and where's those piccies .. he he

laceyfreckle · #15 24th May 2008, 10:47 PM

i have what friends and finally myself think is a fell x (or similar) she is 7 months old, 10.3hh at the moment and looking scruffy as still got lots of foal coat. let me know what you think ............i know next to nothing about Fells.

#16 25th May 2008, 06:07 AM

I think she has a very large tummy..........but she is nice, and very Fell-like.

Carly! · #17 25th May 2008, 05:14 PM

Aww what a little cutie!

He's plenty confident in himself, he used to hack out alone. I think he's still half testing me and perhaps he doesn't trust my judgement to take him out on a lovely ride yet!

He spins to go home, if you push him on he'll back you into the nearest wall/gate/fence etc.

If he's still made to go on (very rare that you can actually get him to) he'll have the hump and lean on the bit and throw his head all the way.
It's annoying because he's such a lovely boy otherwise!

We'll get there I guess, just later rather than sooner.

Andries · #18 25th May 2008, 06:35 PM

Ah,yes he could be very well testing you,
like any horse/pony really some can settle straight away others can take weeks,so i'd just persevere till you get to know each other better

KateH · #19 30th May 2008, 10:26 PM

Hi Carly, I was around Fells in the 70s when my uncle's family owned and bred them. Having returned to riding in my 40s I was thrilled to see a perfect example on livery at the stables. I'm fascinated to know how you chose a Fell and its bloodlines.

Jenbee · #20 4th Jun 2008, 10:33 AM

I love fell ponies

I have one at the moment called Reuben (Longdendale Bono) and hes just the best pony ever

Theyre incredibly intelligent and cheeky, and can be very stubborn but are also usually very cuddly and loving ponies, who can turn a hoof to anything!

Super economical too - mine lives out all year, rugless, on grass and fresh air!!

They can be very strong though, and sometimes suprisingly difficult for their size, so you always need to make sure they know whos in charge!

Still my favourite breed in the world though

x x