When it comes to equine elegance and striking beauty, the Friesian horse stands out as a true masterpiece of nature. Known for its stunning black coat, flowing mane, and powerful build, the Friesian embodies a timeless grace and allure that captivates horse enthusiasts and casual admirers alike.
Friesians are known for their gentle temperament and intelligence. They are often described as affectionate and eager to please, making them beautiful and reliable partners in various equestrian disciplines. I find that the Friesian’s color isn’t just beautiful—it almost seems to embody a certain timeless quality, as though these horses were crafted from dreams of medieval knights and fairy tales.
Historical records and cultural references further underscore the Friesian’s significance, with black horses historically symbolizing nobility and power. According to the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA), the Friesian horse is unique and truly a breed to be proud of. It developed from a very old breed inherent to all of Western Europe. It’s the only horse native to Holland.
The Walks of the Friesian Horse
Many horses are known to have existed in early ages. This includes the Friesians, who have helped shape our civilization. They were known to be war horses for their bravery in early history and often carried an armored knight in battle.
Having been cross-bred with other horse types, such as the Andalusians, The Friesian horse became lighter and more suitable for work as urban carriage horses. They have been so popular back then as harness horses and for agricultural purposes. The Friesians were also in demand for trotting races, which were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The pure breed of Friesians had faced a very critical condition, and history shows how Friesian horse owners and associations made ways to revive them. Although most Friesian horses nowadays are already infused with other bloodlines, the indigenous characteristics of these horses are still eminent.
Today, Friesian horses are remarkably applauded in the show ring. With their physique and conformation often resembling that of a light draught horse, adding up their shiny black coat and a beautiful feathery mane and tail, the Friesian is a natural beauty and a talented show horse.
Meeting the Friesian Horse
Being unique and rarely seen in other parts of the world, if you are into meeting a Friesian horse in person, these are the events in which the Friesian horses can typically be present.
Friesians on Harness Shows
Harness shows aim to bring out the best ability of a horse. Friesian horses are notably known to have been trained as carriage horses, so they are commonly used for ceremonies involving the use of chariots, carts, wagons, and the like for parades, and a traditional carriage is seen in some events designed for Friesian horses called the sjees.
Friesians on Recreational and Competition Driving
Friesian horses are, by nature, a very smart type of horse breed. Their overall appearance and skills have become one of the favorites for recreational and pleasure driving. You can often spot Friesian horses in dressage competitions and events, too. All of this can be attributed to their intelligence, willingness to learn, and readiness to perform, and they have also become one of the top choices for movie productions.
Friesians on Tilting at the Ring
Being a native breed of horses in the Netherlands, the Friesian horses are often used in this traditional sport enthusiastically practiced in Netherlands (informal, Holland). In this event, you would see Friesian horses pull assortments of carriages.
Friesians on Quadrille
The Friesian quadrille is a show number that is very much appreciated by the horse show audience. This is a show where you would see 8 sees, drawn by Friesian horses, driven by gentlemen with a lady, dressed in traditional costumes like those in the early centuries. Various complex patterns are driven, showing the driver’s trust in the obedience of their horses.
Characteristics of a Friesian Horse
If you see a black horse, then that, without doubt, is a Friesian horse. They possess an attractive appearance with a black coat all over their body, including a feathery, bouncy mane and tail. On rare occasions, Friesians have white markings, and registries allow only a small “start” on the forehead to be accepted for purebred registration.
We can all agree that the Friesian horse looks majestic with its conformation with long, arched, and strongly defined facial features, short ears, and “Spanish-type” heads. They also possess a powerful, compact, muscular body with strong sloping shoulders, hindquarters, and low-set tails. Also, they have shorter limbs but are very strong in that manner.
Being an all-purpose horse, the Friesian horse is an intelligent and witty horse and is also very well-considered as energetic, willing, active, and gentle and docile. The Friesians tend to have a strong stage presence and perform with elegance.
Diseases common to Friesian Horses
Like all living creatures, the Friesian horse may have remarkable strengths, but they also possess a weakness in their genetic makeup. The Friesian horse is known to be affected by four genetic disorders: dwarfism, hydrocephalus, a tendency for aortic rupture, and megaesophagus.
- Dwarfism
with Friesian Horse
On average, a Friesian horse stands approximately 147 cm to 173 cm at the withers. Comparatively shorter than other horse breeds or that desired for a stallion.
- Hydrocephalus
in Friesian Horse
This condition is an inherited developmental disorder. It is often the result of stillbirths of affected foals and obstructed labor or dystocia in dams, which can be fatal for the dam during birth. This condition is characterized by the accumulation or distention of fluid on the brain’s ventricular system, where the head becomes bulgy or bigger than usual.
- Aortic
Rupture in Friesian Horse
In most horses, the aortic rupture occurs at the aortic root (Sinus of Valsalva), resulting in the aortic cardiac fistula, simply a “heart attack” in humans. In the case of Friesian horses, this rare condition occurs in a different location; it predominates in the ligament arteriosum, which is the connecting place of the pulmonary trunk and the wall of the aorta.
- Megaesophagus
in Friesian Horse
This condition may occur in humans, dogs, and other horses but is very common in Friesian Horses, and most diagnoses and studies of this condition link it to heredity and some muscular disorders.
The presence of the following signs and symptoms characterizes Megaesophagus;
- Difficulty
swallowing - Weight
loss - Lack
of appetite - Trouble
drinking water - External
visualization of cervical esophagus enlargement. - Other
Symptoms of an underlying disease may also be present.
Friesian Diet and Nutrition
Due to their geographic nativity, the Friesian horses are not fed with alfalfa hay, as there is none in Holland. Alfalfa also contains too much protein (about 22% max) for them. Some Friesians, as it is not natural for them, may cause allergic reactions when fed with hay, so be cautious when feeding hay imports that have never been fed to your Friesian horse. It is suggested that good quality grass hay following the general horse feeding rule of thumb for an average horse in minimal work is to be followed. Boost your Friesian horse’s energy by feeding small mixed grains. Also, don’t forget to include trace minerals or salt blocks with plenty of water in their diet. As their big body structure may be deceptive, just bear in mind to always keep an eye on their weight and not underfeed them.
Grooming a Friesian Horse
The Friesian horse is well-known to be attractive because of its thick mane and tail and those “feathers” on their low legs. Maintenance of these may include these techniques.
- For
the Mane: Friesian’s mane is usually long and left as is. Cutting along
the bottom may result in unevenness. The best way to maintain this is to
pull out the longest hairs and cut evenly until you get the desired
length. - For
the Tail: It is best recommended to cut only at the lowest point, leaving
its thick nature at the bottom. - For
the “feathers” on the lower leg: The most common maintenance you will perform
here is to trim down feathers that drag on the ground. Doing this will
keep their feathers looking neat and show off their legs.
As records show that Friesians may be twice as prone to skin diseases as other horse breeds, it is very important to choose the grooming kits, particularly the soap or horse shampoo to use with these horse breeds. If you are not sure, please refer or consult your equine veterinarians.
Friesian Horse Training
The Friesian horse is an intelligent and very kind animal. They quickly learn and excel in all disciplines you train them for.
The most common mistake of trainers unfamiliar with the Friesian horse is advancing training too quickly, not because Friesians are willing to start training them just like that. It is a must that you take into consideration their growth and development stages. Consulting a veterinarian is the best way to know if the body is fully developed and ready for training. Always do things one step at a time with your Friesian horse, or the consequence will backfire on you later.
Friesians also tend to bolt as their response to an unknown fear, often resulting from skipping training steps or your Friesian horse being pushed beyond its comfort zone. Remember that Friesians are special and not lazy; they seem a little late in maturity. This means that when you buy a 4-year-old Friesian, it is just equivalent to buying a 2-year-old horse from another breed. Patience and waiting for the right age for them to grow and take on this training is vital for your horsemanship success. Nevertheless, Friesians may be trained at age 8, which is a little too late for you, but the Friesian is intelligent and learns quickly. So there is no need to rush.
Tips for Buying a Friesian Horse
So, if you cannot contain your excitement and you want to own a Friesian horse, here is my tip for you so that you may consider giving your money great value.
- Don’t
rush on your purchase. There are a lot of Friesian Horses for sale, so keepsearching and try to compare and evaluate every aspect you need to
consider. Is the price reasonable for the horse and all the qualities
offered? - Check
on the level stated. You can ask a professional trainer or an independent
rider to evaluate the seller’s claims. You can ask them to ride the
horse in person or let them watch a video of the horse performing. - Check
on skin conditions and bone structures, as European horses are not kept up
to worming and vitamins, especially if the horse has a pre-purchase history, it’s best to get a second opinion. Also, if the horse is a
mare, request a culture and reproductive check. - Make
sure the horse you buy can perform the basic walk, trot,
and gallop. You can ask the seller to have it ridden by a rider to perform
this before you do it for your safety. If there is hesitation about this
request, this is a RED FLAG. You don’t want to take the
risk if the seller-owner won’t do it. - Check
the contract. Always ensure that everything you agree on is
stated in the contract. That includes other fees incurred for deliveries,
vaccinations, documentation, etc. You need to be specific on these
matters to avoid confusion. Never make payments or deposits without first
reading the agreement. - Ask
for insurance, when you decide to buy the horse, at least get the
horse insured when traveled and within 24 hours upon arrival. Take note
that most horses take at least 3 months to adapt to a new environment,
especially for imported ones.
The Friesian horse is a living testament to the notion that black is not just a color but a symbol of beauty and sophistication. Its deep, glossy black coat is more than a mere shade; it reflects the breed’s elegance and grandeur. Unlike other horses, whose coats might vary widely in color and texture, the Friesian’s uniform black coloration is integral to its allure, creating a striking visual impact that turns heads and captures hearts.
