Read About Friesian Horses

Friesian Horses are specially favored for sport activities and competitions. Here's everything you need to know about this horse breed.

Friesian Horses - Horse Breed Facts

1. Breed Group:

   Originally bred as draft animals.

2. Height & Weight:

   14.2 to 16 hands tall. Females weigh 1300 pounds, while males weigh even more.

3. Coat:

   Friesian horses have a shiny black coat with lustrous hair growth.

4. Head & Neck:

   Friesian horses have a long arching neck and hold their head up high and proud, as one of the most distinguishable characteristics is the long flowing mane.

5. Body:

   Their bodies are impressive and muscular, with sloping hindquarters and a low placed tail.

6. Conformation:

   They have short ears on well shaped Spanish type heads. Their bodies are distended and stoop at the withers.

7. Colors:

   They are present in predominantly black colors.

8. Gait:

   They cover the ground with suppleness. They have unique high gaits which make them look quite elegant. They also make a good trot.

9. Popularity:

   They are popular on the race circuit.

10. Registries:

    Originally registered by the Friesch Paarden Stamboek in the Netherlands in 1879. FPS is even today the worldwide registrar of the Friesian horses.

Friesian Horses - Horse Breed Origins

1. Country of Origin:

   Friesland in the Netherlands

2. Lineage/ Bloodline:

   Friesian Horses are believed to have been derived from the Forest Horse of the Netherlands.

3. Historical Information:

   The Friesians were used for the first time by the Romans for riding. They were long considered ugly due to their black color, but now they are considered as the most beautiful breed of horses.

Friesian Horses - Horse Breed Defining Characteristics

1. Training Ease:

   Friesian horses are very open minded to training and can be trained easily.

2. Temperament:

   They have extremely gentle temperaments with an earnest attitude.

3. Child Friendly:

   Friesian horses are very acceptable to children and that is one of the reasons why they are used in circus shows.

4. Behavior:

   Friesians can work under extreme pressure, without losing their cool. They are loyal creatures.

5. Riding Ease:

   They are very open to riders and provide a smooth ride, which almost feels like gliding.

6. Uses:

   Most Friesian horses are used as race horses. They find their uses in circuses due to their high stepped gaits. They are also used for dressage displays and as carriage horses.

Friesian Horses - Horse Breed Concerns

1. Health Issues:

   There are no major health concerns if cared for well.

2. Feeding:

   Being sportive animals, they require lots of food. They consume a lot of hay and grass.

3. Outfitting:

   A good bridle and harness are necessary if they are to be used for riding.

Friesian Horses - How to Choose a Horse Breed

1. What to Look for:

   The head should be moderately sized and eyes should be gentle and appealing. Ears should be drooping inwards slightly. Besides, one should look for stars given by the FPS or previous scores

2. What you will Need:

   Equipment for riding horses, including a horse outfit.