Riding the Fell Pony in England

Meet one of the Queen's favorite breeds and join me for a true Fell Pony Adventure! In this episode I travel to Cumbria, where the breed originated where we get to learn about wild camping and pack pony adventures, go for a fast paced drive, and ride to an ancient pack pony route on a 9 year old Fell Pony Stallion!
🎬DiscoverTheHorse is an equine education project, equestrian vlog and adventure series that documents my journey to ride every horse breed. 🐎 Ride along with me and meet amazing horses from around the world!
✨ Featuring Fell Pony Adventures in England.
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#HorseRiding #Equestrian #horses
00:00 Riding Every Horse Breed
00:32 Fell Pony Adventures
02:34 Tacking up a Pack Horse
04:55 Wild Camping with Ponies
06:04 A Traditional Rope Halter
07:56 Go For a Drive!
08:49 Quest Ride
09:40 About the Fell Pony
12:30 A Letter From the Queen

[@deebee2603]

What a lovely can-do breed. No wonder the Queen admires them. I so enjoy hearing about the history of each breed and truly envy your journey to ride them all!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thank you, so glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@Cyleste3000]

I grew up riding a family friends fell pony named Apollo. I was fairly young and he took me solo up the fells in Cumbria and I always felt safe. Such a brilliant breed.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

That is so cool, sounds like those were some fun rides!

[@piep6844]

@@DiscoverTheHorse mooie fellpony

[@AnthonySmith-dk8ys]

A lovely video of the Fell Pony, yet another video were I feel so envious, what a wonderful journey you are on. Stay safe and enjoy , Best wishes fro Somerset.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thank you Anthony, it really has been a dream come true for me! I appreciate you watching the videos and joining me on the adventure!

[@jessiesungmanitou9369]

I love their sturdiness and overall appearance, just beautiful. Another great episode, thanks a lot.

[@bettiehass4091]

I would love to have a fell pony! They move more like a horse. Riding a stallion is like sitting on a Ferrari engine. You know there is a lot of power there!!

[@nozee77]

I love how carefully he chose the equipment for the ponys and even has it fitted for every single one. Wonderful horemanship. 🐎 And what a magnificent breed that is!

[@pamgrat5126]

That sounds fun , a walking camping trip. The horses are beautiful

[@ninakaiser2930]

That’s truly an amazing breed and I would love to ride/drive one one day in the future. They also sound perfect for being a therapy horse - or pony 😅 And those pony treks - they sound like so much fun! For sure a special experience for anyone who joins them. Thank you for your so interesting videos with all the history that comes with the breeds.

[@felicitytoad]

Wow letter the Queen I remember sending a drawing of the Queen to the Queen and getting a letter back when I was a child and it is very nice to receive one back ! Such lovely ponies and what a nice place. I am sure these ponies who are at yards like this understand what people are trying to do to protect the breedand the ponies are definitely happy to be quite helpful to these kinds of people if they understand what is required. it takes a lot of time to be experienced enough to understand the breeds and that's where showing is so important as it helps keep it all going. What a lovely place to visit if you like fell pony and don't have one or you are thinking of getting one. You can make a good decision. The smaller ones do get taken advantage of on yards as they are very sweet and fairy quick. Hopefully people will try hardest to treat native ponies more traditionally and keep the breeds going. They can't do all the things faster horses can but they do things they can't 🙂🙂🙂

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

WOW these ponies are gorgeous in looks and temperament 🥰 I've been interested in Fell ponies ever since reading a book on horse breeds that was given to me as a child. First the Icelandic horse, now another video where I've decided my next horse will be this particular breed! Now to find out if there are any in Australia 😁🤞🤞

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

I don't think adults realize what they are getting themselves into when they give kids like us those breed books! 😁😆(I believe they do have Fell Ponies in Australia!)

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

@@DiscoverTheHorse hahaha too true! 😅😅😅

[@AL-lz1hb]

A million things to like but what a great thing even if you don't ride you can take your fell friend out for a picnic (camping is maybe too rustic to start with?) He carries the snacks in his handy little pack and we find him the best grassy stopping places. It's a lovely dream I'd enjoy to come true.

[@claremurphy189]

I used to have a fell pony called Clip. I got her when I was 26 she was my first pony too. She was bomb proof. She died 7 years ago. She was 1 in a million. Miss her every day x

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

I bet you have lots of wonderful memories with her! Always too soon to say goodbye to such special friends. 💜

[@slaphappyKat]

He's quite vocal, isn't he? He's just beautiful! What a fun ride!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Yes, he had to make sure the mares knew where he was. 😆

[@yasminhelenendangeredspecies]

This might just be the COOLEST Pony video Ever! That story about the ponies stuck in the mountain pass. Oh Goodness 😔 but then the 1 who survived! I Love the Fell Pony 💖🐎🐴 Geronimo is Gorgeous! Love these Fell ponies! And that Royal Letter 👑. Woah! How cool is that 🐎🙆💖⛪👑 ~ Brave Onward!

[@spiritcreek9813]

Wow what a great pony breed. So versatile. I think we all were made aware of the breed through HRH the queen’s patronage. Looks like a nice pony for the whole family. Love your channel, safe travels.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thank you! :)

[@christinafragis7224]

They are truly majestic - one of the most beloved pony breeds 🥰

[@neverforsaken]

Perfect size! Your stallion had the most gorgeous feathered feet!

[@gmariet1391]

The calm surefootedness and we'll tempered family pony speaks novels of love and faithfulness !

[@friederikerunde5788]

I owned a Fell Pony gelding named Josh, born in 2000...the huge horse love of my live. Born in cumbria, exported to Germany for some reason, where I met him..I will never forget this wonderful, reliable, lovingly pony!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Sounds like it was meant to be! 💜

[@falcolf]

I love their adorable toughness, fluffy feets, manes and tails. ❤

[@sweetmele4620]

They are absolutely gorgeous! I’d love to see one in person❤️

[@specterman2000]

You really need to meet Katie and her beautiful Fell Pony Clyde! She has her own KZbin channel called "The Fell Pony."

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Going to look her up right now! :)

[@specterman2000]

@@DiscoverTheHorse Awesome 😎👍

[@ghostofthejunkyard]

You, the owners, and and horses in all your videos feel like yall are in another world with how happy and chill everyone is, wish I could go on a similar adventure one day

[@hallhowarth4584]

My favourite thing about fell ponies are their faces, so sweet.. Also they always seem so gentle!

[@pjk1714]

Excellent interview. That would be such a great experience.

[@donnashelley3939]

What a beautiful part of England! Loved this video. Thank you.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AbiHeyneke]

I have lately become obsessed with Fell Ponies so this video is very well timed! I have ambitions to drive and Fells seem tough and beautiful.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Yay! Glad to hear!

[@izzyhinkle]

I rode a Fell pony named Veronica 2 years ago.

[@paulcharpentier7095]

The ponies being ridden in this video appear to have a very smooth gate

[@madalynbelzowski6884]

I like the dappled gray the size and versatility of the breed. Pack, Riding and Carrige. I've never ridden in a carrage.

[@that.smiley.pony.8408]

I love fell ponies! Infact I have one ❤️🐴

[@red_five1542]

Favorite thing about all equines described as "ponies" is their amazing strength in proportion to their size. No matter what breed, all breeds described as "Ponies" are amazingly strong and smart!

[@lindadahlen7407]

I love how beautiful the Fell Ponies move. They are a great pony size and still have such beatuful movement and agility. Now that I am getting older I have more appreciation for this breed. I don't need the size anymore,(height), but I still have enough life in me to have some agility and good movement. They are a perfect breed!

[@Dignitatis]

Everything!

[@riverbank4126]

What a perfect size for someone who isn't too tall! I spent some time in England in Britain in the mid-1950s and was delighted to see the many breeds of semi-feral ponies that still existed in a relatively small area. I was born in Canada and have spent most of my life here. On the South-west Coast of British Columbia, many of our first settlers were English and they brought many of their native ponies with them but I haven't seen any Fell Ponies locally.

[@meks7929]

What a beautiful breed ❤

[@Faelani38]

That feathering on their hooves. Thats what I love the most. All the hair lol.

[@lindseyw2127]

I’ve had fell ponies for 30 years. I have also been on a 3 day trek with Tom at Fell Pony Adventures, I highly recommend the breed and a trip with Tom. Great video!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thanks Lindsey! They are such a fun breed. What do you do with yours?

[@lindseyw2127]

@@DiscoverTheHorse I have previously shown at county level, but my current home bred pony is more for cuddles than showing, she is just adorable but only made 12.1hh! But she makes up for he height by having the best temperament ever!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Awww, she sounds wonderful! 😊

[@joannesmartens9442]

Geronimo is realy handsome.💞👍

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

😊

[@vickypos6]

best thing about the fell pony? The way it stood motionless while you tried to fix the halter!

[@sharardwk3430]

Lovely to learn more about one of the Queen’s favorite breeds. It is easy to see why the queen lives this breed. The Fell has all the qualities of a fine horse for work or pleasure. Thank you for lovely videos. I have enjoyed each and every one!❤️

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@rockannand]

What an awesome stallion you got to ride! He was strutting his stuff and you always ride so beautifully. Love your adventures!! Affectionately, Kate Syssoloff

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

🥰 Thanks so much Kate!

[@kathleendaugherty4218]

This is the first time I have heard of the Fell Pony, but I am a fan now! What a versatile, dependable breed. I am what I call "a horse for life, both mine and his" person, what a partnership you would develope with one of those ponies. Sky's the limit. I have always seen pictures of the Queen on her black pony, but I never knew what breed it was.

[@Diamondmine212]

The Queen has several white ponies, she herself still rides her favourite black one ,with her Drs permission only these days)

[@cynthiabrown2806]

I've wanted to see those ponies, as well as Dartmoor, Exmoor, etc, since I was a child. I think it's brilliant that they are so versatile! Also, I am from Canada and would take a day to learn that rope halter! Good for you!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Sounds like England is a good bucket list trip for you! :) Hahaha, thank you!

[@genmyth9513]

Thank you Alyssa! (Sorry if I spelt it wrong) You have reignited my interest in different horse breeds. As a kid, my dad gave me an encyclopedia book of horse breeds which 20 years on, I still cherish. Thank you for making this series, I'd love to see more :)

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Awww, this makes me so happy to hear!! Aren't those breed books the best? I still have mine from when I was a kid as well.

[@shawntisdell]

Another great video, Alyssa and crew. I must have missed teaching you about rope halters. They are so simple and handy. I made hundreds of the them out of twine string to tow calves around on the dairy farm when I was a kid. I am pretty sure we used them with sheep as you were growing up.

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thank you! Haha, a rope halter from twine I can do. This one looks so simple, but the way the knots are tied threw me for a loop (hehe.) Tom gave me a rope halter to bring home with me. So your skills will be tested next time I see you. 😆

[@lifeofjoy9404]

Just added this to my Bucket List😍🤩

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

💜You will have a blast!!

[@JCHForestry]

Brilliant video of an incredible breed, we currently have 3 loving and very cheeky fells that live on that very same hill you rode over. Great to see you had a good time. (Maybe look into horse logging😉 as we used to use fells for this)

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Thank you Joseph! That is awesome, what a small world. You live in a beautiful place! Great suggestion, it would be really fun to showcase some horse logging in a future episode!

[@janegoldstein8110]

Hi Alyssa, The things I love most about Fell Ponies are their height, stature, demeanor their beautiful kind gentle eye and the fact that If I was to come off the quick way, I would only🐎🧑🏻‍🦰 have a short distance to go. I understand that Her Majesty the Queen has a favorite pony, if I had one I would become very attached very quickly. What is the weight limit of a fully grown mature Fell Pony. I saw you say that the top height limit 14 hands high. Your new subscriber, Jane 😎👍🐴

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Hi Jane, Welcome to the channel and thanks for joining me! There is quite a bit of variation in weight within the breed. To my knowledge, the breed society does not set a specific weight limit in order to be registered.

[@jeffharper6259]

I don't know the breed well enough to name a favorite trait, but I feel if her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth is a fan then further endorsements are unnecessary.

[@dxniella_]

Fell pony's are soooo cute!

[@MarcoNotPolo]

Geronimo is definitely built like tank, haha, he looks amazing and I'm assuming he would of been a lot of fun to ride Thankyou for sharing

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

He was a blast. 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@peterhall5788]

My favourite thing about the fell pony is their placid even, temperament and always will to work and please.

[@rubabqamar12163]

New breed ride the Akhtar tekhe if you haven’t already

[@kriskay7012]

Such a beautiful pony breed and the trail you rode on had such gorgeous scenery. Another amazing chapter on your journey to ride every breed!

[@Starspices_Adventures]

I love this! They are so cute, how many hands are they?

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Glad to hear! The pony we put the pack saddle on is 13.2hh. The maximum for the breed is 14.0hh

[@laurrreng6074]

Love love love!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

🥰🐎 Thanks!

[@dreamer6943]

I had a fell as s teenager. He was amazing

[@ilcanaledellanatura]

Wonderful!!

[@carolhilton9855]

They need to do a full movie on the Fell Pony

[@matthewhale2464]

Are you going to ride the Welsh mountain pony, it’s the oldest native breed to Great Britain so surely it’s Gotta be on your list😃

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

I rode a Section C earlier on in my Quest ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJrUnGN4g9KIjLc ) But I would love to do a video that showcases all the different types. :)

[@picobello99]

@@DiscoverTheHorse Too bad you just missed the Welsh agriculture show, a gathering of over 4000 Welsh pony's!

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Ooooh, that would have been neat!

[@karenrobbins2802]

Wow 😮 what an awesome 🤩 journey luv the stallion 🐴 he would be my favourite I just love feathers they make the hours look stunning 😍🇦🇺❤

[@tipijean]

Well done Tom and Flo for what you've got together there. Will never forget travelling with you all those years ago. Big love to you and the ponies ❤

[@marianstroup1]

Beautiful sturdy little ponies!

[@KarlKingz]

They are super cool, so is the channel and Alyssa.

[@soulsofsorrels]

What a gorgeous pony!! That looks like so much fun!

[@late_to_the_paddock]

I love this breed.

[@maryward3060]

So interesting, I've never heard of the Fell Pony, they are awesome

[@maryduncan618]

so very beautiful this small but sturdy animal !

[@oouknow4176]

So very nice on my bucket list to do this

[@gailwatson4485]

I rode fell ponies growing up in the North of England. So sure footed and I could trust the ponies to get me up and down difficult terrain. Now I live in the Northern tropics of Australia, we have Australian stock horses x quarter horses, too tall not sure footed like the natives back home!! If we go up or down anything they stumble!!

[@Turbine030]

Nice horses and extremely smart packing system!

[@felicitytoad]

lovely

[@paulaeblanchard4780]

Very interesting, I had never heard of this breed before.

[@caro5797]

Awesome ponies

[@petrahartog5934]

I love the stanima and looks ...they are like small size Frisians in build . There is a bit more color variety allowed . But black is the most common for Fell ponies , isn't it ?

[@juliaforsyth8332]

Fells and the bigger Dales are said to have the influenced by the Friesian When the Frisian Auxiliaries came over with the invading Romans.

[@percymcnabb4746]

amazing

[@rosiekeen6286]

My favourite breed!!😍

[@p.mccarthy-sher2691]

Enchanting

[@billierfunk338]

I’m older and would feel safer on a lower mount. They and the Iceland horses look like a great ride

[@pglen6042]

The feathered feet remind me of a Clydesdale.

[@jessicat3951]

I love the coverage of the Fell Pony because hearty sure-footed horses are underrepresented in the horse world! The automobile and horse racing industry has resulted in over-promotion of fast and flighty animals, vs. calm, intelligent horses! All horses are lovely, but the sturdy, calm pack ponies and draft horses were sidelined somewhat along the way, and this video helps people understand why we need more breeding of THIS kind of horse! I would like to add a couple absolutely critical points not covered. 1) The Fell pony numbers are still quite low, and have a "vulnerable" status according to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. This means a higher percentage of owners must be breeding owners for these ponies to survive as compared to other common breeds. This is critical because the government is not conserving them, so it is up to private owners to conserve this native British species. Horses that are not being bred are genetically dead, because they are dead-ended, and they do not count as part of the population stability count. If you want to buy a Fell Pony (or any other rare breed), please consider having the semen collected prior to gelding a male, or taking on the exciting project of mating your mare to produce a couple foals. What a wonderful journey for you, and gift to the world of keeping these wonderful animals with us forever! 2) It's an intellectual distinction, but the Fell Pony is not a "breed". A "breed" is a man-made selection of horses that did not exist naturally before being bred. A "breed" is quite literally created through breeding. The Fell ponies are instead simply a sub-species of horse, and not a "breed". It's a minor point and not worth correcting in conversation, but it's worth understanding because it is much of what makes them hearty (being selected by mother nature). Genetics is complex, and inevitably when we control each pairing, mother nature is no longer making the decisions and very important desirable traits can be lost. Many countries are re-establishing herds of wild horses native to their country. Let's hope that we will see continued improvement in conservation efforts and reestablishment of this horse in the wild, so we will always be able to see them run free, and will always have hearty stock for riding and pack ponies!

[@fellponyadventures9194]

Thank you for the well made points. Since we have lost several of the large semi-feral herds in the last few years there is now even more of a need for breeders who might have just a couple or few mares to keep breeding in order to maintain the numbers of foals each year. It is also so important that we keep ponies living in herds on the high fells here in the north of England to maintain their hardiness and all the other qualities that are shaped by that very environment. Interesting to hear you speak of the Fell (and all our natives I presume) as being a sub-species rather than a breed.

[@jessicat3951]

@@fellponyadventures9194 I have a biology background and own a Dales, so I think about it a LOT. Breed societies are usually the best option we have for conservation of native equines, but there is something lost there. Breed societies are usually focussed on shows and aesthetics of conformation because this was considered skill of the breeder, and native ponies were not created through breeding, so this kind of selection can further narrow the genetics. As a silly example, can you imagine David Attenborough promoting conservation of wild birds through breed societies with parading and ribbons critiquing the precise markings and shape? I think breed societies are absolutely wonderful establishments, but I am dubious that they should be tasked with conservation of native animals given it is entirely a different mindset and skillset to manage native ecology vs. livestock. I think this is one of the reasons we are losing ground. The native ponies need to be recognized as part of the native ecology, with support and compensation given to the owners and caretakers. My wish list: semen banks, stud farms (natural bachelor herds), SPARKS instituted for all native UK horses, updates that involve breeding status, deaths, and geldings to be recorded for free in the population databases regardlessof owner membership, and veterinary care through trained vets skilled working with unhandled or minimally handled horses.

[@fellponyadventures9194]

@@jessicat3951 This is all really interesting thank you. I agree one of the biggest challenges (especially fr Fells) is getting them viewed (by many of the organisations and institutions) as part of the ecosystem which needs a different mindset to seeing them as either livestock or a pet. There is a need for an enclosure where young colts can be turned in wit each other In the wild the colts would be turned away byte stallion and would form small herds away from the mares and is an important part of learning life skills. Interesting and challenging times for all native breeds tight now. In many ways the Fell is in a strong place but we need to reverse the decline of the hill herds if we are to keep the characteristics that we all love them for.

[@suica0711]

Hi Alyssa, Do you know where we can learn the knots for this rope halter? Thank you!

[@maggietang4847]

I HOPE YOU CAN GO CHINA MONGOLIA TO RIDE INNER MONGOLIA HORSE

[@rapturesoon6567]

💟💟💟💟💟💟💟⭐

[@Alhadadrawadalhadad]

🐴🐎🤠🥰😍😘♥️💖💝💞

[@cindyj5522]

In the photos I saw of them withe HMTQ either riding or standing, they always seem taller to me. The one you are riding seems quite short.

[@almirakline6070]

❤❤

[@fluffybunny8157]

so where are you Canada or the US?

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

I'm from the US. :)

[@gabriellef3351]

Please cover s. American and e. European breeds please

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Will do! 😊Here is the current list with filmed breeds: www.discoverthehorse.com/the-official-breed-list

[@Laaadventures]

i dont know if uve done the quarter horse but if u. haven't can u?

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

I did a ride with Josh Lyons featuring his Quarter Horse mare, but still need to do one that goes more into breed history and uses. :)

[@DiscoverTheHorse]

Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJLSdqR6g92teLM

[@Laaadventures]

@@DiscoverTheHorse thanks so much :)

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

Are they not a bit small for a grown up.?

[@lindacarey6703]

What is the difference between a Fell pony and a Vanner?

[@juliaforsyth8332]

Different breed for a start.

[@comraderaichu6940]

How tall are you? I'm trying to gauge if that breed is a good size for me.

[@brendar.8185]

I like the height as I am getting older

[@grahamcracker659]

i am confused, there is no dolphin in this video

[@sylviaharrington6748]

Have you ridden all the breeds yet

[@oranjebeer6637]

Fell pony’s are only black?

[@xhogun8578]

No they are not, that's why it's great that these videos provide a good overview of the breeds highlighted.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

@@dxniella_ Chestnut isn't debarred. It has it's own section "x", as chestnut does come up very occasionally. Piebald, skewbald and Roan used to be Fell pony colours too a very long time ago.

[@dxniella_]

@@juliaforsyth8332 sorry! i wasn't sure, i just googled it and thats the first thing that came up

[@elenacaddell3639]

Love them. However I wonder ? WHY ?? People think TROTTING or CANTERING on HARD ROADS IS OK. ITS NOT ! ITS BAD FOR TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS NOT TO MENTION THE CONCUSSION ON THE HOOF . One Major reason Thoroughbreds brake down.

[@verenamichel2447]

Fun fact Fell in German translates to fur.