THE new stallion Twisselhope Star had excellent breeding behind.

He was a very well made pony with plenty of bone and good sound feet or hooves; he also had what you would call a nice 'pony' head.

He stood 13 hands 3 inches (again none of your metric nonsense, as everyone knows a 'hand' equals 4 inches) and carried himself proudly with good action both in his walk and trot.

I do not think Star had ever run with a band of mares before on open ground, but he soon took his place as leader.

He did not drive his mares as Banner had done, he did not need to, they simply followed him without question.

Several people brought mares or fillies to run with the band until covered, some of them staying a further three weeks or a month as it were to make sure.

Although Star had been well broken he was not a novice ride as he could still be a bit of a handful after running wild with his mares.

He had a real fondness for calf nuts so he was usually quite good to catch.

The ponies were never a problem with the sheep and lambs.

They appeared to take no notice of them at all.

I remember Star was really good a plunging a track through snow along which you could drive sheep down from the fell when they would otherwise have difficulty getting through without a track having been made for them.

Another job where the ponies (and Star took his turn) came into their own was when they were needed to pull a sledge, particularly in times of snow.

The sled of sledge might be needed to carry fodder to outlying stock, or even some shopping or lamp oil from the road end, or perhaps to carry lunches etc up the fell for the annual grouse shoot.

I remember the time when one of our workers led a pony and sled up the fell loaded with food for both the shooters and beater after then, a Landrover was pressed into service.

Now the ponies are gone and so are most of the grouse.

In case anyone is rushing for their pen, I never took part in a grouse shoot, honest.

It is said that in the days before the motor car a farmer might in the evening mount his faithful Fell Pony and ride off to the local hostelry and if he got perhaps just a little too much to drink his friends would help him up into the saddle and the trusty steed would take him safely home.

He might have to reach over and undo the latch on any gates that were across the lane but they would manage somehow.

A pony has even been known to land its master safely home in the trap without any help from the jolly farmer.

Over the last 30 years a good many Fell Ponies have been acquired by the many riding establishments as once they have been gentled they make excellent trekking ponies and with their great stamina are able to carry a rider on long days in the countryside.

Add to that the demand for Fell Ponies for driving competitions, the future of these hardy and splendid animals looks to be assured.

More about the ponies next time including 'Charlie Drake'.

Thought for the day: What's needed in government is more horse sense and less nonsense.