The Fabulous Fell Pony
ride like royalty, think small. Just ask England’s Queen Elizabeth, who prefers to ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle on her beloved Fell Ponies. The Queen has often been photographed on her favorite Fell, a pony named Carltonlima Emma. Emma is so famous that there’s even a Breyer model of the jet-black mare!
The Fell is an ancient breed developed in Great Britain. “Fell” is a term for the treeless hilltops where the breed got its start hundreds of years ago. Back then, the ponies were used to haul carts and plows. They were also pack animals and carried things like cloth and food across miles of tough terrain. The Fell’s early ancestors were usually not much taller than 12 hands, but they were strong and quick-moving, making them ideal for the many jobs they were asked to perform.
You’ll recognize a Fell by its thick mane and tail and the feathering on its lower legs. Although they can be bay, gray or seal brown, most Fells are black. White markings are allowed, but most ponies have no markings or only very small ones. This gives the ponies a striking appearance despite their relatively small height.
What Can a Fell Do?
