riesian horse

History

Although the Friesian of today is considered a warmblood, it is descended from the ancient Equus Robustus and still retains many heavy horse characteristics. Developed in Friesland (a small province in the northern Netherlands) the Friesian horse maintained a size suitable for carrying heavy loads, and was intelligent and light on its feet. During the Middle Ages, the knights proudly utilized these abilities for wartime purposes. In times of peace, the Friesian horse was used for medium draft purposes in town and on the farm.

In the early 1800's, the Friesian horse was bred to be lighter and faster in order to accommodate the popular trotting races in Europe. Due to the mechanization of the farms, as well as crossbreeding, the purebred Friesian nearly met with extinction by the end of World War 1. With only one remaining stallion and a few mares, a small group of people from Friesland undertook the challenge to restore the Friesian horse to its original form. This resulted in an increase in population that assured the continuation of this magnificent breed.

Originally imported to North America in the 17th century, the breed was lost here due to crossbreeding. The Friesian horse was not introduced again in North America until 1974. With vowed determination to maintain the purity and standards of the breed, the Friesian Horse Association of North America was formed, working with the Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS), the original mother studbook in the Netherlands.

Characteristics & Use

The Friesian horse is very charismatic. Their gentle and willing nature provides a strong base for versatile training. The intelligence of the Friesian leads to a rewarding partnership between horse and owner. Uses of the Friesian horse are limitless - dressage, saddle seat, trail and pleasure riding, jumping, pleasure driving, combined driving, and more! The handsome appearance and naturally animated motion provide a noble "presence" in any show ring, parade, trail, or just in your own paddock.

Registered Friesian horses are always black - including all various hues of black - from a deep jet black to a bay black. White markings are not allowed on the body or legs. They have long, thick, flowing manes and tails and pronounced fetlock hair. The Friesian horse holds its head high and proud with an arching neck. The animated gait is natural. Selective breeding is used to achieve the active hock action and high, extended front leg motion. The body is strong and deep, with a sloping shoulder. Registered Friesian stallions must be at least 15.3 hands high at the age of 4, while the females must be 14.3 hands high. The females average about 1300 pounds, more for the males.

Registration & Evaluation

To maintain the integrity of the breed, the registration of the Friesian horse is strictly regulated by the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA), working in concert with the original mother studbook, the Koninklijke Vereniging het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS) in the Netherlands. To be registered in the studbook, all horses in North America must be inspected by qualified representatives from the KFPS. This rigid grading process helps to improve breeding quality and assists owners in the selection of the best stallion for their mares. The mares themselves, based on their own merit or ability to produce superior offspring, can attain greater status within the breed. The horses are evaluated on their ability, conformation, and breed characteristics. They are commonly judged against a standard, not other horses.

Qualified judges from the Netherlands come to North America once a year to evaluate the Friesian horses. The horses are evaluated 60% on movement and 40% on conformation. To assist the owner of a mare in choosing future sires for her foals, and in order to compile the statistics trends that each approved sire passes on to his get, the judges will complete a Linear Score Sheet for each horse when it is shown for admittance in the adult studbooks, usually at age 3. This document is later provided to the owner of the judged horse.

Strict rules apply to the selection of the approved sires and to the advancement of mares within the registry. Stallion candidates must pass a set of comprehensive criteria, a movement and conformation judging, and a strenuous test of ability and character - called the Central Stallion proving. This test is seventy days in duration at an unbiased training facility. The advancement of mares is based on her own quality (Ster), her quality of sports ability (Model), and the quality of her offspring (Preferent), or the sports achievements of her offspring (Prestatie).

Only approved stallions may be used as sires. All purebred Friesian horses sired by approved stallions may be registered, subject to parental verification via DNA. A microchip containing a unique code is then used for permanent identification. The Friesian horse in North America is one of only a few breeds that requires both DNA testing and microchipping. FHANA, the KFPS and its members take great pride in maintaining and promoting the purity and integrity of the Friesian breed.