The Friesian Horse by Laura Beeman


Perhaps the most outstanding single characteristic of the Friesian horse is it's kind temperament. Friesians are very people oriented. They are friendly, willing, and loyal. In general, they make a considerable effort to please and have the ability to retain knowledge. The Friesian horse embodies the quality we think of a "heart".

Few other breeds elicit the same kind of immediate passion as the Friesian. People find it incredible that this massive, strong horse is so willing and gentle. There is a kindness in the eye that every horse trainer loves. The Friesian horse can develop a very strong bond with his owner or handler. Perhaps this is why it is so difficult to find mature, trained horses for sale. Once a person has invested their time and energy (and heart) into a Friesian horse, it's hard to let them go.

Another endearing quality of the Friesian horse is its love of water. You can think of the Friesian as the "black lab of the horse world". Whether its splashing in puddles in the pasture, pawing in the water trough or swimming in a lake, these horses just can't get enough water! Needless to say, crossing a stream on a trail ride poses a different type of problem with a Friesian - keep him moving or he may just lay down in it!

In previous times, the Friesian horse came in colors other than black. But through careful breeding, the modern Friesian has been limited to only black. The modern Friesian horse is prohibited from having any white o n its body in anyplace other than the forehead. If a horse is produced with white on the body, legs or feet, it is not permitted in the registry. Some Friesians do carry what is known as the "chestnut gene". This is avoided in Approved Stallions. This gene throws a red color and occasionally a chestnut Friesian is born. Although unique, these horse are also not permitted in the registry.

Although all registered Friesian are considered "black", there are many shades and hues of black. Horses may vary from a warm brown, to a deep midnight blue black and many even dapple in the summer. There is much discussion about the color of this black horse. Many owners strive to keep their horses as dark as possible by supplementing their food with additives to darken the coat, restricting them to turn-out only in evenings or keeping the horses blanketed at all times. All these measures are purely for cosmetic benefit. For, the Friesian horse will darken at least twice a year - when it sheds out its long winter coat in Spring and when it grows its new winter coat in the Fall. These are the times of year when the horse is naturally at its darkest.

With roots as a trotter, one would naturally expect that the Friesian horse would have a strong, powerful trot. This is generally true although horses may vary as to their movement. Some horses have more of a lifting of the knees in front which appears very flashy when they are in front of a cart. Other types have the ability to "reach" with the front legs to better lengthen the stride of each gait. The type of movement you choose in a Friesian is a matter of personal preference. Although sometimes referred to as the "riding type" or "driving type", many Friesians are able to succeed equally at both.

A driving horse must have a very elastic trot. He must possess the ability to trot very slowly, at a medium speed or quite briskly (trot-on!) Very rarely does the driving horse need to canter and many "driving type" Friesians have some difficulty with balance when first learning this gait.

The Friesian riding horse must be equally capable and strong at all three gaits. The fact that the Friesian horse is making major inroads into the dressage community demonstrates that this breed is capable of performing under saddle as well. In choosing a Friesian horse, it is important to determine what type of activities he will be asked to perform. Other than extreme endurance riding and extensive jumping, the Friesian horse is a very versatile animal. In addition to driving and dressage, Friesians make excellent trail horses. They are level-headed and less apt to spook unnecessarily. In addition, you may want a Friesian for saddle seat or sidesaddle riding, for vaulting or therapeutic riding. Their calm and deliberate manner makes them an ideal choice for many equestrian disciplines.

The unique characteristics of the Friesian horse make it different from any other breed available today. Coupled with this tremendous beauty and willing character, it is not surprising that the Friesian has become the "Horse of Dreams" for many people.