NewsThe Friesian horse is a huge and strong horse, yet its intimidating exterior conceals a nimble animal with a docile and sensitive demeanor. Originating from Friesland in the Netherlands, the Friesian is also known as a ‘Frizian’, and despite an historic risk of extinction, the breed remains popular in its home country for both leisure and competition riding.
The Friesian has been employed as a warhorse to transport knights into battle, as an agricultural labor horse, and even in the circus throughout the twentieth century. However today, they are more often used for recreational purposes; while their striking appearance and calm demeanour has made them a popular choice for film and TV.
There are two main conformation types of the warm blooded horse breed: the baroque Friesian, with a bigger physique, and the Friesian sport horse, with a more slim, fine-boned look.
| WEIGHT: | 544 – 635 kg |
| HEIGHT: | 15 hands – 17 hands |
| LIFE EXPECTANCY: | 16 years |
| BEST FOR: | Leisure riding, competition, cart pulling |
| ORIGIN: | The Netherlands |
The Friesian horse originated in the Dutch region of Friesland, which has a long equestrian history. It is said that Medieval knights once chose Friesian horses as their steed for war, while anecdotal evidence suggests that Friesian troops were riding their own horses into battle as early as the 4th century.
The traits of the Friesian horse have altered through time due to changing needs, and Friesian stock has been mixed with a variety of other breeds, notably Andalusian horses. This lighter Andalusian Friesian hybrid was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, but by the late 1800s, the emphasis had shifted back to pureblood stock.
Although the Friesian has a lengthy history, it wasn’t until 1879 that a studbook club was established by Friesian farmers and landowners, followed by the publication of a horse stud book in 1880.
At this time, purebred Friesian horses were in scarce supply, owing in part to the increasing popularity of the Bovenlander, another Dutch horse breed. Combined with the rise in use of machinery rather than horses in agriculture and industry, by the early 1900s, there were just three breeding stallions of the Friesian breed remaining.
Friesians’ numbers rebounded over the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and they now account for around 7% of all horses in the Netherlands. They are now ridden for both leisure and competition, and are known for their impressive, powerful stature and glossy jet black coat.
SIZE
Friesian Horse Size
The Friesian horse stands between 15 and 17 hands tall and weighs between 544 and 635kg.
Friesian mares and geldings must be 15.2 hands tall to qualify for’star-designation’ or as a’ster Friesian’.
APPEARANCE
Friesian Horse Appearance
The Friesian horse has a strong and robust look and is distinguished by its black color. It is the jet black Friesian which is most commonly seen: although chestnut Friesians do exist, this is much more rare and usually not accepted by breed registries. Friesians with white markings are rarely seen, and the majority of purebred registries will allow no white markings at all except a small star on the forehead.
Nero, a white Friesian, was shown at Equitana in 2007. However, pureblood white Friesians do not exist: Nero was actually 75% Friesian, and 25% Arabian, with this Friesian Arabian cross resulting in a striking white coat.
The classical ‘baroque’ Friesian horse displays a compact, muscular and strong build; while the more modern Friesian sport horse is leaner and fine boned. Their manes and tails are normally wavy, and they have feathering on their lower legs that is frequently left untrimmed.
DIET & NUTRITION
Friesian Horse Diet and Nutrition
Friesian horses are generally easy keepers, which means they require relatively little food and will be happy with a regular equine diet of quality hay, grain, vegetables and fruits. Keep an eye on their consumption to prevent them from getting overweight; on the other hand, Friesian sport horses used for racing may need more energy to stay in form.
Friesian horses will benefit from the addition of appropriate fat sources, minerals, and vitamins to keep their coats lustrous.
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
Unique Characteristics of a Friesian Horse
The traditional Friesian horse has a baroque look, but the contemporary Friesian, often known as the Friesian sport horse, has a finer boned structure. The latter often competes in horse racing, while some individuals can tend to lean more towards the baroque appearance, giving them a unique appearance amongst their peers.
The Friesian horse has a long history as a battle horse, and legend has it that William the Conqueror rode one. They’ve also portrayed circus horses in the Circus Strassburger, which debuted in 1939. Friesian horses are often featured in cinema and television owing to their magnificent look and placid demeanor.
TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR
Friesian Horse Temperament and Behaviour
The Friesian horse may appear both powerful and majestic, however this belies a gentle, docile temperament. The Friesian is a warm-blooded breed that is eager to learn, clever, active, and gentle.
They are not easily frightened, and their want to please makes them ideal for dressage competition: they are simple to teach and suited for a wide variety of riders.
HEALTH ISSUES
Friesian Horse Common Health Issues
The Friesian horse is prone to a relatively high number of genetic disorders, which is possibly due to excessive inbreeding, and may contribute towards their shorter lifespan of just 16 years. Dwarfism, hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain), aortic rupture, and megaoesophagus are examples of these (a condition affecting the oesophagus).
Friesian horses are also prone to stomach diseases and skin issues such as pastern dermatopathy, as well as being allergic to bug stings.
GROOMING
Friesian Horse Grooming
The Friesian is a powerful-looking horse with a stunning appearance – and an equally impressive grooming regimen. Their glossy black coats and long, flowing manes and tails are the pride of many an equestrian, and keeping them looking at their best comes with a rigorous grooming regime.
This high maintenance horse requires daily grooming for both health and beauty: the Friesian has dry skin and a susceptibility to rashes which means they need regular care and attention. Their feathers should be cleansed on a regular basis, and owners should avoid exposing them to direct sunlight to prevent bleaching their glossy black coats.
Friesian horse owners may also wish to include a color boosting shampoo, as well as one developed for dry skin, in their grooming kit.
The Friesian horse’s long, thick mane and tail need frequent cleaning to eliminate knots; some owners choose to braid their Friesian’s hair to reduce tangles.
LIFESPAN
What is the Lifespan of a Friesian Horse?
A Friesian horse has an average lifetime of 16 years, however individuals may live to be 25 – 30 years old.
- Size
- Appearance
- Diet & Nutrition
- Unique Characteristics
- Temperament & Behaviour
- Health Issues
- Grooming
- APPEARANCE
Shire Horse Size
The Shire horse’s huge stature is one of its distinguishing features. The Shire horse is one of the tallest horse breeds in the world, with horses generally ranging from 16 to 17 hands tall, although it is not uncommon for the biggest Shire horses to reach 18 hands or more in height.
In fact, it is believed that the tallest horse ever recorded was a Shire horse: Sampson, a gelding born in 1846 and measuring a staggering 21.25 hands tall (and 1,524kg hefty!).
Shire Horse Appearance
Shire horses are usually black, brown, bay or grey in colour; and are recognisable due to their large size. They have feathering on their legs, a strong body, huge hooves, and a Roman nose.
Shire horses must not be chestnut in color, and Shire horse stallions must not be roan or have huge white spots on their bodies, according to the Shire Horse Society.
Shire horses are often compared to Clydesdales, and it is true that Shires and Clydesdales share a number of physical characteristics; as well as both being draught horses. The Shire horse, on the other hand, is bigger, more muscular, and has less white markings on its body.
Shire Horse Diet and Nutrition
Shire horses thrive on a consistent equine diet of high-quality hay, grain, vegetables, and fruits. Due to their larger size, they may require higher quantities of horse food to stay healthy and maintain their energy levels, which can make them more expensive to keep.
Unique Characteristics of a Shire Horse
Maybe the most distinguishing feature of a Shire horse is its height: they are the tallest horses in the world. They are also incredibly strong: at a 1924 British exhibition, a pair of Shire horses is said to have pulled a starting load of 50 tonnes!
Their capacity to lift their weight (and then some!) made them the breed of choice to bring carts of ale from breweries to public places in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While this is no longer a common use of the Shire horse, a number of modern day brewers do still use the breed to pull carts of beer for both practical and promotional purposes.
Shire horses are further distinguished by their leg feathering, huge hooves, and Roman nose.
Shire Horse Temperament and Behaviour
Shire horses are well-known for being easygoing, quiet, and patient. They are docile and hard working, due to their origins as a draught horse; and are not known for behavioural issues as a breed.
Bred to work in a range of environments, including busy cities, the Shire horse does not spook easily, which means they offer a smooth ride. This horse breed is calm, trustworthy, and controlled, making it ideal for riders of all abilities.
Shire Horse Common Health Issues
Although Shire horses are typically healthy, there are a few health risks to be aware of.
Shire horses are prone to chronic progressive lymphedema, a chronic progressive skin illness that causes swelling of the lower legs in various breeds of draught horses. There is no treatment at the moment, however management may assist to delay the onset.
Shire horses may also be prone to polysaccharide storage myopathy, another condition which affects some draught horse breeds. Sweating, painful muscles, muscular tremors, and lameness are all symptoms.
Because of their high feathering, Shire horses are susceptible to feather mites and mud fever, therefore frequent cleaning of this region is essential to keeping your Shire horse in good shape.
Shire Horse Shire Horse Grooming
Shire horses normally need a conventional equine grooming regimen, albeit their sheer height may necessitate the use of a ladder to aid in your efforts!
The feathering on a Shire horse’s legs also needs extra care and attention, as it can easily get dirty and become irritated or infected. Frequent brushing and washing should suffice; be sure to thoroughly dry the feathering after bathing to prevent the formation of germs and fungus.
What is the Lifespan of a Shire Horse?
A healthy Shire horse has a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.
They are demanding maintenance, yet what a Friesian horse gives in attitude, looks, and competence is returned in spades. Often seen at events including dressage and horse racing, the Friesian makes an impression with its elegant looks and striking black colour.
The Friesian horse is a popular leisure horse as well. Its gentle nature and desire to learn make it great for riders of all levels – although their daily grooming requirements mean they may be better suited to experienced horse owners.
Friesians are still employed to pull carts today, a reminder to their heritage as draught horses. sjees (carts generally drawn by Friesian horses), especially during festivals and exhibits.
Friesian horses have also become a popular option for filmmakers owing to their magnificent beauty and quiet attitude, making them ideal for hectic film sets.
Related Questions
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What is so special about Friesian horses?
The Friesian is a warm-blooded breed that is eager to learn, clever, active, and gentle. They do not spook easily, and their desire to please makes them great for competition such as dressage: they are easy to train and suitable for a range of riders.
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What breeds make a Friesian horse?
The Equus robustus is the ancestor of the Friesian horse. During the 16th and 17th centuries, but probably also earlier, Arabian blood was introduced, especially through Andalusian horses from Spain. This has resulted in their high knee movement, short head, and craning neck.
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Are Friesian horses friendly?
Every horse has its own peculiarities and history, but the Friesian disposition is normally amiable, easygoing, and eager to please.
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Are Friesian horses rare?
Frisian horses are a rather uncommon breed. Although considered to be fairly popular dressage and carriage horse, there are currently less than 1,000 Friesian horses registered in North America, according to some estimates.
