“Fell” Photographic Art Print

Fell ponies are considered by the Rare Breed Survival Trust to be vulnerable. This means that there are only between 500-900 in the world today.

Fell ponies are native to the North of England, and herds of free-ranging registered ponies still roam the Cumbrian fells. It is likely that their history dates back to prehistoric times. The Galloway pony of South-West Scotland, the mount of Border raiders, is an ancestor of the Fell Pony. As a result, the Fell pony is strong, sturdy and small, generally not exceeding 14hh. His attributes will have made him perfect as a working pony, transporting goods around the land. Fell ponies were locally known as "galloways" and were also renowned for their ground covering trot. Because of this they were also used in the local sport of trotting races.

Through the ages, and as industry developed, Fell ponies helped to transport iron and lead ores from the mines in the North-West of England to the smelting works. Collieries used Fell ponies well into the 20th century to work below and above ground in their mines.

Breeders first began to record pedigrees in the late 19th century and show classes for "fell-gone" ponies that had lived on the fell and reared a foal there were introduced. In 1922 the Fell Pony Society was set up with the intention of maintaining the purity of the breed.

Nowadays Fell ponies make perfect all round family ponies and have found their niche in many ridden disciplines as well as in driving. Black is the predominant colour of the Fell pony, followed by brown, bay, and grey. White markings, in the form of stars and small amounts of white on the hind pasterns are not uncommon but more than half the breed population has no white markings at all.

A beautiful breed of native pony, it is one that has lived side by side with people and helped shape our nation for centuries.

About the Collection

In the UK we are lucky enough to have beautiful native horses and ponies roaming our land. Some of the Native breeds originate from particular regions across the UK & Ireland and roam in semi-wild herds that are accustomed to their particular environments. They graze in harsh, vast landscapes where hill farmers with commoner’s rights are custodians of these breeds. They care for them, protect them, ensuring their safety, health and continuing the long line of ancient gene pools continue for these native breeds to thrive and be healthy. Other native breeds are traditional workhorses with a long history of working alongside men from agriculture to industry over the years.

Their environments are changing, from intensive agriculture, expansive building, fencing off vast areas of moorland which restricts grazing, lack of interest in native breeds from horse enthusiasts, hill farmers whose families have farmed their land for many generations are unable to pass down their farms to new generations due to financial pressures and changes to farming legislation. All these elements are diminishing the likelihood of a future in the wild for our rare native breeds.

I’m passionate about our rare native breeds and the natural habitats they live in. I have loved every minute of creating this wonderful book project. I hope that Wild Hearts will raise the profile of our native breeds who have grazed and shaped our land for hundreds of years – some of which are facing possible extinction.

At a time when our world is fragile and in need of great change and care from us all. I believe it’s so important to cherish all our environments, nature and animals. With a passionate message of conservation at its heart, once complete, I hope that my fine art horse photography art book aim will show people the heart and soul of these wonderful breeds and to encourage people to support these vulnerable breeds, either by protecting them in their natural environment or by buying a registered pony; a step which could help save these rare breeds.