Extinction Threat For Native Fell Pony
Conservation Scientist who studies
Britain’s native ponies warns that fell herds were facing extinction
due to a reduction in the number of breeders including those in Cumbria.
At present there are around 400 fell pony mares in Britain and a reduction
of about two herds would seriously threaten the rest.
The ponies have been around for some 2000 years even before the Romans arrived on the scene and it is hoped they can be saved to stay for another 2000 years.
A Fell pony is around 13 to 14 hands high, stocky with long main and tail as well as feathering on its legs. They are mainly black in colour but can be brown.
They are great for keeping the grass on the fells from getting too long and are fussy in what they eat as they avoid eating heather and wild flowers.
One herd can be found around the High Street area of the Lakeland Fells near Haweswater.
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