Yes, Fell ponies are excellent for beginners due to their calm, gentle, and willing nature. They are intelligent, easy to train, eager to please, and have a steady temperament, making them suitable for riders of all ages and skill levels, including children.
Fell ponies typically grow to about 13.2 to 14 hands high (54 to 56 inches, or 137 to 142 cm). Despite their pony height, they have a strong, drafty build that allows them to comfortably carry adults.
The Fell Pony is named after the 'Fells,' which are the mountainous and moorland regions of northwest England, specifically Cumberland and Westmorland. The term 'fell' refers to the rugged upland terrain where the breed originated.
The phrase 'Fell of the horse' is an old idiom meaning to fall off a horse, usually by accident. This usage of 'fell' as a verb meaning 'to fall' is unrelated to the Fell pony breed name, which refers to the upland regions.