Showcase | The Friesian Horse | One Of Europe’s Finest Horse Breeds

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This breed, one of the oldest in Europe, is indigenous to what is now the Netherlands (Holland)

Today its production is mainly limited to the province of Friesland, where it is bred in the so called Meadow districts and in sandy soil areas

It has long been popular as an all-round horse for riding, farm and harness work. In the past medieval knights used it in warfare, and seventeenth-century cavalry leaders were often painted riding these handsome black horses by the great Dutch artists of the period

It is thought that in medieval times, Andalusian and Oriental blood was added to lighten it; its origins certainly lay with the early cold-bloods

In the nineteenth century its natural energy made it a good basis for Trotters, and it was lightened and speeded up with Trotter stock. As this version was of little use in its in its principal form of work on the farms its numbers declined drastically, resulting in an almost extinct breed

Just before World War I when it was close to extinction, judicious crossing with the Oldenburg lead to its survival and During World War II, because of petrol shortages and other factors, it came into its own again

The Friesian horse was honoured in 1954 when Queen Juliana of the Netherlands granted its Breed Society the right to preface its name with the world ‘Royal’

Height

15 to 16 hands although known to reach 17 hands high

Colour

The colour of the Freisian Horse is always black, though a small star is occasionally found

Characteristics

A finally chiselled, longish head with small ears and a shapely neck, with an exceptionally long mane

The back is strong and ribs deep

The hindquarters are well rounded

The tail, which, like the mane, carries much hair, is set low. The legs have good bone and are heavily covered with hair, sometimes up to the knee joint

Uses

Its great ‘presence’, active manner of going, impressive colour, tractability and natural balanced carriage, make it popular as a circus horse

Farmers also still use it as a utility horse, but it is perhaps best known as a harness horse

The Friesian is a light horse breed. Light horse breeds generally weigh less than 1,500 pounds. They are typically used as riding horses for leisure and trail riding.

Being agile and swift, many are also used on the racetrack, in the show ring, and for work on the ranch

The Freisian horse is a beautiful example of one of the finest European horse breeds

This article was written by Alisha Williams

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