Do you dream of owning your very own fairytale Friesian but have no idea of the logistics of the breed or where to begin? This page is designed to serve the purpose of helping to get potential buyers and fans started off on the right foot to attaining knowledge and key insight into the Friesian horse breed,  basic care, as well as a brief history of these beloved black beauties.

•History of the Friesian

The Friesian (Fries paard in Dutch) is a horse breed originating in Friesland in the Netherlands. The breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion. Originally known as an iconic breed to carry knights into battle during the dark ages, modern day Friesian horses are used for riding and driving and excels in Dressage. The Friesian horse is most known for its all-black color (with the exception of a handful of Red Friesians still in existence) long flowing mane and tail, feathering on its legs, a high head carriage, high stepping action, and a loving puppy-dog personality.

 The three popular body types of today are the Baroque, Classic, and Modern type. The Baroque type is a more traditional Friesian with a heavy build, high knee action, and lots of hair. Baroque type Friesians are built for their traditional use in driving as well as showing, exhibition/performance/dressage, and pleasure riding.

The modern type is lighter and more refined, with a "warmblood movement." The modern sport Friesian is intended for riding and higher levels of dressage. The sport type Friesian may not always have the extra hair and feathering like the baroque type.

The final body type, the classic, sits between the baroque and modern and possesses a blend of the traditional and sport type Friesian.

•Friesian Horse Care

All horses require a quality evel of care, and the Friesian horse is no different. The Friesian thrives on a nutritious diet, provided with adequate exercise, and regular veterinary care.

Most Friesians tend to be easy keepers and have good-quality hooves. Regular trimming and a balanced diet is frequently all that is necessary to maintain adequate hoof health.

Daily turnout is important for healthy bones and connective tissue. Turnout also helps reduce stress and allows Friesian horses to express grazing and social behaviors.

Most Friesian horses require longer and more intense grooming routines to maintain their long, heavy hair. Keeping their fetlock feathers dry and clean is also vital for preventing pastern dermatitis in the breed.

Due to the size of the Friesian and their solid black coat, special attention to temperature regulation during warmer months is important. Ensuring that adequate shade, clean water and salt is available at all times during the summer months helps in keeping Friesians comfortable and healthy.

Like many breeds the Friesian breed can carry genetic diseases that require DNA testing to ensure proper breeding practices and eleminate genetic-disorder-positive risks. The two common genetic diseases are “Dwarfism” and “Hydrocephalus.” When pairing two Friesians together for breeding purposes it is imperative that at least one horse be clear of these two genetic diseases to ensure a double-positive foal is not produced. “Carriers” containing one gene are not a threat as long as the pairing mate is not a carrier. At Iron Hills Farm the active breeding stallion(s) are always DNA tested and panel clear so that options for pairing with a quality mare is always possible and diversity of the bloodlines is promoted.

•Friesian Horse Personality and Training

Friesian horses are known for their calm, gentle, and easy-going temperaments, which can make them suitable for riders of any skill level. They are also intelligent, eager to please, and have a strong work ethic. Friesians are often compared to Labrador retrievers because of their similar personalities. Most Friesians have a genuine character and strong work ethic. These horses should have moderate to excellent stamina and energy without being extremely spooky. Friesians tend to enjoy human interaction a good deal and will usually bond closely with their human family, sometimes even closer than that of their fellow horse family.

As the Friesian horse is an intelligent and kind animal that learns very quickly they can excel in any discipline at a rapid rate of speed. Trainers who are unfamiliar with the Friesian can accidentally, due to the Friesians calm acceptance of new items, advance the training too quickly. It is important to remember no matter how sweet and willing you Friesian is, do not skip training steps and instead keep patience, small steps, and positive reinforcement at the frontline of the training regime. Friesians thrive on encouragement and praise and will prove loyal mounts to a fair and humane handler.

For more info or questions about the amazing Friesian breed please feel free to reach out to us!