Modern-Day Black Beauties
NewsWhen you imagine Black Beauty, the famous horse, and novel, what kind of horse do you think of? A Friesian horse with a flowing, jet black mane and tail has long been my fantasy.
The grandeur, athleticism, and temperament of the Friesian horse breed are well-known. This breed is a true definition of a ‘noble steed’ from days of yore, but well adapted for modern equestrian disciplines.
Friesian Breed Bio
Friesians are one of the oldest horse breeds, having been documented in text and images as early as the 13th century.
The Friesian horse originated in the Netherlands, but in the 16th century, the original “Equus Robustus” was crossed-bred with Spanish horses, mostly Andalusians, to create the breed we know today.
This is a lengthy and remarkable history of the Friesian horse.
Friesians may now be found all over the globe. They are particularly well suited for the dressage arena and carriage events, but are also popular in many English disciplines.
Yet, since they were not developed to jump like other warmbloods, you won’t find them in high-level jumper ringers.
Their easy trot and stamina make them perfect for western riding and agricultural work.
Photo Cred: Canva
Breed Statistics
Friesian horses weigh 1300 pounds on average and stand over 15 hands tall. In fact, to be a stallion entered in the official Friesian stud book, a horse must reach 15.3 hands by age 4.
This breed is classified as a warmblood, which implies it has draft horse ancestry but is not as large as a real draft horse.
Friesians have a black coat and are famous for their gorgeous and flowing black mane! Friesian horses have few white markings as a result of meticulous, selective breeding.
The sole allowed marking for Friesians, according to the Friesian Horse of North America studbook, is a little white star on their face.
How big do Friesian horses get?
The majority of Friesian horses are 15-16 hands tall. Though, some with stronger draught bloodlines can be as tall as 17 hands!
How much do Friesian horses weigh?
Friesian horses weigh between 1,200-1,400 lbs.
What color coats do Friesian horses have?
A Friesian horse’s sole permitted coat color is black.
Photo Cred: Canva
Breed Mentality
Friesian horses are considered to be easy to train and have good manners. These are clever and gentle horses!
Friesian horses have a strong will. This might be due to their superior intellect. Finally, despite their stubbornness, they are incredibly affectionate horses!
Depending on the discipline, Friesian horses might make an excellent first horse. Since they do not spook easily and are well-mannered and calm, they would be a great horse for novice riders.
Photo Cred: Canva
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a Friesian a warmblood?
Absolutely, a Friesian horse is classified as a warmblood.
Q: What kind of horse is a Friesian?
A Friesian horse is a warmblood horse that originated in the Netherlands. They can often be seen in dressage rings and are also skilled in carriage competitions.
Q: Are Friesian horses war horses?
With their noble stature, flowing mane, and all back coat, the Friesian horse strikes a formidable silhouette from the battlefield to the dressage ring. Throughout the Medieval Ages, Friesian horses were utilized as war horses.
They may also be seen as war horses in films and television programs.
Q: Why did Friesians nearly go extinct?
Cross-breeding almost drove Friesians extinct. The need for multi-purpose horses was waning, and the Friesian breed was rapidly becoming extinct. There were just 50 Friesians remaining in the globe in the mid-nineteenth century.
Now, there are roughly 25,000 Friesians in the globe, thanks to breeding efforts and renewed interest in the breed.
Parting Thoughts
Now that you’ve learned more about this gorgeous breed, it may be time to book a test ride to determine whether Fresians are a good fit for you!
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
- Elevate Your Ride With These 6 Tall Horse Breeds
- Horses with Scratchy Feet? Yep, They’re Called Feathers.
- How to Weigh a Horse (Easy Step-by-Step Guide)
- Heavyweight Champions: The Top 5 Horse Breeds for Bigger Riders
- Say Yes to the Horse: The 11 Best Breeds for New Horse Owners
- 5 Best Horse Breeds for Rugged Mountain Hunting
- Keep Calm & Ride On: 3 Calmest Horse Breeds
- Friendly & Fun: 4 Best Horse Breeds for Beginners
- How much weight can a horse pull? (You won’t believe it!)
Related Questions
-
Are Friesians used for dressage?
Dressage and carriage driving are the most prevalent uses for Friesian horses. Especially dressage has become very popular and Friesian horses are nowadays active in high level international dressage competition such as the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics.
-
What horses are best at dressage?
Collectively called warmbloods, breeds such as Hanoverians, Holsteiners, Westphalians, Oldenburgs, and Dutch warmbloods are the most common upper-level mounts. The term warmblood refers to horses that are the product of careful breeding of European riding horses.
-
What are Friesian horses best for?
Nowadays, the Friesian horse is employed both in harness and under saddle, notably in the dressage discipline. They are used in harness for both competitive and recreational driving, both individually and in groups. A traditional carriage seen in some events designed for Friesian horses is a high-wheeled cart called a sjees.
-
Are Friesian horses good for show jumping?
Although Friesian Sporthorses are athletic enough to perform well in jumping competitions and the like, the breed is also sought out for recreational purposes by individuals, especially trail riders. They are mild and cautious enough for riders of all ages.
