Peers Clough Packhorses:

                             Our ponies

Peers Clough Packhorses take their name from our farm, and the job that Fell ponies were historically used for. The Pennine landscape is shaped by its industrial heritage where packhorses were used to transport cotton, wool, lime, coal and corn between upland communities.

The Fell pony is native to the western Pennines and the Lake District. They are sturdy ponies not exceeding 14hh with long manes and tails and feathered legs. Their placid temperament and and friendly nature makes them ideal companions for trekking.

Pack ponies were sure-footed and fast walkers, could carry up to 16 stone in weight and yet were small enough to be easily loaded with their packs. They would work in trains, nose to tail along the regular routes, often paved with causey stones, still visible along many sections of the Mary Towneley Loop.

               Heltondale Duchess

                         Mare

    An honorary member of the packhorses,

      Duchess is at livery at Peers Clough,

    and is kindly lent by her owner if required.

    A real treasure - the geldings love her!

              Fred the Welsh Cob

                      Gelding

         our resident drama queen!