The Fell Pony: Tales to Treasure seeks to educate young people on how much the at-risk native pony has ‘contributed to the lives and livelihoods of people’ in Cumbria.
The book is the fifteenth written by Cumbrian author Helen Haraldsen and celebrates the contributions of the Fell pony to the local area, telling the journey of its traditional role in farming and transport to its place today as a cherished riding and family pony.
Haraldsen emphasised that the book was a ‘particularly special milestone’ for her, being the first poetry collection she has published. It was initially written upon her discovery that many children and teachers in the Cumbrian education system knew very little about the importance and history of their native pony.
Throughout her time working on the book, Ms Haraldsen visited a variety of schools, inviting children to write their own poems about the Fell pony. Some of these poems have been featured in the book, and Helen is set to visit schools in the coming weeks to ensure each contributor has a signed copy to keep.
Additionally, Helen has created a free educational resource for the book, linked to the existing curriculum so that learning about Fell ponies can happen alongside their usual lessons. A project has been developed to help distribute free copies of The Fell Pony: Tales to Treasure to every primary, junior, and secondary school in Cumbria.
The project, which aims to connect students with their local heritage and raise awareness about the importance of protecting native animals, is sponsored by individual donors, equestrian businesses, and organisations.
A spokesperson for one of the main sponsors, The Fell Pony Society, said:
"It’s important to the Fell Pony Society that the younger generation are educated in native ‘At Risk’ breeds in order to preserve the rich heritage."
Another main sponsor of the project, Beaucare CEO and Fell pony breeder Heather Mawrey, stated:
"Beaucare are pleased to support such a great educational project. I grew up in West Cumbria and I would have loved to have learnt about Fell ponies when I was at school. Fell ponies are such an important part of Cumbrian heritage."
Further support and backing for the project has come from Kath Ellis and Sarah Stewart of Harthouse Fell Ponies, Marlyn McInnes of Corrievanoch Photography, farrier Nathan Studholme, Fell Pony Heritage Trust, Christine Robinson of Kerbeck Fell Ponies, Rowan Bowman of Liddlepark Fell Ponies, Samantha Smith of Ashbeck Fell Ponies, Hynholme Fell Ponies, The Linnel Fell Pony Stud, Equus Survival Trust, Harold and June Haraldsen, and Amanda Horan.
Ms Haraldsen said:
"I’m incredibly grateful to the sponsors who have helped make this project possible. Their support means that schools can receive the book and access a free educational resource, giving teachers a way to explore Cumbrian heritage, poetry, history and the natural world with their pupils, alongside the existing curriculum."
The Fell Pony: Tales to Treasure is available to purchase here.