Electronic Precinct - January 1998

Hope for Fell Ponies

Critical and scientific evaluation of the nature and extent of 'Immunocompromising Disease of Fell Pony Foals' to be carried out by the Equine Division, Faculty of Veterinary Science, should help save fell ponies from extinction. So far, around 15% of registered fell pony foals born in1997 have bee n struck down by this mysterious illness. Over the last four to five years it has become increasingly apparent that foals failing to thrive often develop common infections, which then prove fatal. These robust, energetic creatures can also be plagued by muscular weakness and in some cases die sudde nly and unexpectedly. Whatever the combination of symptoms, lethargy, anaemia and a compromised immune system are usually evident, and death occurs by the time the foal is 14 weeks old.

The Lakeland fells have been home to these hardy ponies for thousands of years and expert Dr Derek Knottenbelt, Senior Lecturer, Division of Equine Studies, is confident the fell ponies decline can be controlled. The major problem with this condition (which is 100% fatal) is the lack of and difficu lty in acquiring accurate information. To address this short fall scientists in Liverpool have joined forces with Penrith's Veterinary Investigation Centre, to determine the cause and prevalence of the disease. If this study answers these questions in the next couple of years, then preventative mea sures can be taken to secure the long term future of the breed. The Fell Pony Society fully endorses this research, since it recognises this lethal disease must be controlled before it has time to become too widespread, especially if the condition is inherited.