The Friesian (also Frisian) horse is a breed of horse from Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. Although the breed's conformation resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size. During the Middle Ages, the ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horses throughout continental Europe. Through the Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages, their size enabled them to carry a knight in armor. In the Late Middle Ages, heavier, draft type animals were needed. Though the breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion, the modern day Friesian horse is growing in numbers and popularity, used both in harness and under saddle. Most recently, the breed is being introduced to the field of dressage.

A Friesian stallion in show stance

The Friesian is most often recognized by its black coat color, though color alone is not their only distinguishing characteristic. Friesians also have a long, thick mane and tail, and "feathers"--long, silky hair on the lower legs, deliberately left untrimmed. The official breed rarely has white markings of any kind; most registries allow only a small star on the forehead for purebred registration. Though extremely rare, and not accepted for registration in most cases, Friesians are occasionally chestnut. The Friesian's average height is about 15.3 hands (63 inches or 1.60 m), although it may vary from 14.2 to 17 hands (between 58 in./1.5 m and 68 in./1.7 m) tall at the withers, and mares or geldings must be at least 15.2 hands (1.57 m) tall to qualify for a special 'star-designation' pedigree.  The breed is known for a brisk, high-stepping trot. The Friesian is considered a willing, active, and energetic horse that is also gentle and docile. A Friesian tends to have great presence and to carry itself with elegance.

The breed has powerful overall conformation and good bone structure, with what is sometimes called a "Baroque" body type. Friesians have long, arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared, "Spanish type" heads. Their sloping shoulders are quite powerful. They have compact, muscular bodies with strong sloping hindquarters and a low-set tail. Their limbs are comparatively short and strong. To be accepted as breeding stock in the FPS studbook, a stallion must pass a rigorous approval process.

Today, there are two distinct conformation types. The baroque type has the more robust build of the classical Friesian. The modern, sport horse type is finer-boned. Conformation type is judged less important than correct movement, and both types are common, though the Modern type is currently more popular in the show ring than is the Baroque Friesian.

History of the Friesian

Friesian horses are sometimes referred to as "Belgian Blacks"

The breed was developed in the province of Friesland in the northern Netherlands, where there is evidence of thousands of years of horse populations, and this breed is said to have descended from the primitive Forest Horse. It is also said that Romans obtained ancestors of the Friesian horse for riding and also took them to England, where the breed type may have influenced the Shire horse, Clydesdale, Fell Pony and Dales Pony.

Ancestors of the modern Friesians were used in medieval times to carry knights to battle. In the 12th and 13th centuries, some eastern horses of crusaders were mated with Friesian stock. During the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Netherlands were shortly linked with Spain, there was less demand for heavy war horses as battle arms changed, Andalusian blood was added, lightening its weight and thereby rendering it more suitable (in terms of less food intake and waste output) for work as a more urban carriage horse. Friesians were also used by riding schools in France and Spain for high-school dressage, and they remain popular today for their gentle temperaments and proud appearance.

The historian Ann Hyland wrote of the Friesian breed:

The Emperor Charles (reigned 1516-56) continued Spanish expansion into the Netherlands, which had its Frisian warhorse, noted by Vegetius and used on the continent and in Britain in Roman times. Like the Andalusian, the Frisian bred true to type. Even with infusions of Spanish blood during the sixteenth century, it retained its indigenous characteristics, taking the best from both breeds. The Frisian is mentioned in 16th and 17th century works... a courageous horse eminently suitable for war, lacking the volatility of some breeds or the phlegm of very heavy ones. Generally black, the Frisian was around 15hh with strong, cobby conformation, but with a deal more elegance and quality. The noted gait was a smooth trot coming from powerful quarters. Nowadays, though breed definition is retained, the size has markedly increased, as has that of most breeds due to improved rearing and dietary methods.

The breed was especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they were not only in demand as harness horses and for agricultural work, but also for the trotting races then so popular. The Friesian may have been used as foundation stock for breeds such as the Orlov Trotter, the Norfolk Trotter (ancestor of the Hackney), and the Morgan. In the 1800s the Friesian was bred to be lighter and faster for trotting, however this led to what some owners and breeders regarded as inferior stock, so a movement to return to pureblood stock took place by the end of the century.

The Friesian stud registry book, Friesch Paarden Stamboek (FPS) was founded in 1879 by a group of Dutch farmers dedicated to preserving the breed. Friesians had become popular for crossbreeding due to their excellent trot, presence, and color, and as a result, Friesian "purity" was severely threatened. The "Royal Society Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek" was founded to protect and promote the breed's bloodline.

In spite of the creation of the Society, Friesian horse populations continued to dwindle into the early 20th century partly due to displacement by petroleum-powered farm equipment and passenger vehicles. Due to fuel rationing during World War II the Freisian's farm and carriage use was revived, saving the breed long enough for both its population and popularity to rebound.

The Friesian also influenced other breeds. One example was the "Old Black Horse" of the U.S. farm belt (the Midwest) where unpredictable and unseasonal weather often limited the usefulness of less robust breeds. The Friesian also influenced the Dole Gudbrandsdal of Norway, and formed the stock base for Germany's Marbach stud, contributing to the development of both the Oldenburg and the Württemberger breeds.

The Friesian today

A Friesian in surcingle, showing at the trot

From the latter part of the 20th century until the present, demand for purebreds, particularly the "Modern style" finer-boned, taller, more agile version of the Friesian increased, so breeders have bred both purebreds and a lighter-weight crossbred horse with valued characteristics. 

Friesian horses are popular in both Europe and the United States, and are often used today for Dressage competition, pleasure riding, and driving. Friesian horses can do well in dressage competition due to the breed's movement, trainability, appearance, power, and body control.

Closeup of the head

The Friesian also remains popular as a carriage horse, as it is a powerful horse and its high-stepping action is eye-catching. It is particularly popular in competitions that require the driving of a team, partly because of its movement and disposition, and partly because it is easy to match teams of black horses. Friesians are also good all-around horses, used for showing, driving, and general riding, and are also used as circus horses.

Due to its flashy appearance, the Friesian has become popular in the film industry. The breed owes much of its current popularity to the appearance of the Friesian stallion Othello in the 1985 film, Ladyhawke, which ignited a worldwide interest in these horses. Films such as Eragon, The Mask of Zorro, Alexander, and 300 have also featured Friesian horses. Though they are of dramatic appearance, sometimes their use in dramatizations of actual historical events is of dubious accuracy, given that the breed as it is known today only came into being within the last 400 to 600 years.
**Article credit: Wikipedia 

The Friesian horse has a long and romantic history. The breed developed many centuries ago in Friesland, in Northwestern Europe, which is now a part of The Netherlands. By the early Middles Ages, the horse was already known by the name of the area in which it originated. Because of their strength and agility Friesians were coveted war horses and they carried knights in the Crusades and into battle.

Originally descended from Equus robustus (big horse), Andalusian blood was introduced during the 16th and 17th centuries when Spanish stallions were left on the battlefields during Thirty Years War between the Dutch and Spanish. This gave the Friesian horse higher knee action, a relatively small head and an arching neck.

Throughout the ages breeding horses and dealing in them was very important to the Friesian people. Before the Reformation, monks in many Friesian monasteries were skilled horse breeders.

At various times in their long history the versatile Friesians were used in the classical riding schools of Europe, were bred as racing trotters, were included in royal stables as elegant coach horses, thrilled European crowds as circus horses and also had to perform as light draft and all-purpose horses. 

 We can expect that the breed will continue to grow steadily in popularity as more and more people discover the magnificent Friesian horse.

However within the last decades an additional registry has been established by a group of Friesian owners in Germany (FPZV).

Although the two registries are similar in some ways, they are not identical. Horses cannot be dual-registered and are not transferable from FPZV to FPS.

FHANA, the Friesian Horse Association of North America, is affiliated with the original Dutch registry and provides services to members on this continent and coordinates between North American Friesian owners and the FPS registry in the Netherlands. Judges come from the Netherlands each fall to evaluate Friesians on this continent.

 The selection process for breeding approval evaluates the superiority of pedigree as well as the stallion’s movement and conformation.

Weeks of further evaluation test the candidate’s quality of gaits, abilities under saddle and in harness, brilliance, temperament and trainability.

A stallion’s breeding approval is always conditional but the greatest test comes when his oldest offspring reach adulthood. At that time his offspring must demonstrate sufficient quality and sport aptitude to prove that the stallion makes a positive impact on the breed. If not, his breeding approval is withdrawn for the future.

Standards for breeding approval are extremely high and only a handful of young stallions join the ranks of Approved Stallions each year.

In the fall of their year of birth, Friesian foals are evaluated for a premium ranking, implanted with a microchip for permanent identification and entered into the Foal Book register.

When mares and geldings reach adulthood they are presented for entry into the Studbook for Mares or the Studbook for Geldings. They must be at least 14.3 hands high, demonstrate the characteristics of the Friesian Horse and must be black with no white markings on the legs or body. The better horses are awarded a premium and the best 25-30% may be awarded Star status based on their movement and conformation. Superior Foal Book stallions—those not approved for breeding—may also receive the Star designation.

The very, very best of the Star Mares may be designated as Model. Preferential Mares and Performance Mothers receive their designations due to the superior quality or outstanding athletic achievement of their offspring.

Although mares are subject to careful inspection by the judges, they do not require breeding approval like the stallions.

The Friesian is an all-around horse with an impressive appearance that guarantees a second look wherever it goes.

Widely known as outstanding carriage horses for both show and pleasure driving, they excel in the carriage driving show ring for everything from single to four-in-hand. Friesians have also been successful in the physically demanding sport of combined driving, although to reach the highest levels of this internationally competitive sport the horses require prudent selection and conditioning. But most Friesian owners who drive their horses simply enjoy them on the roads and tracks near their homes. 

Many new Friesian owners plan to ride their horses. Because of this the horses are increasingly being bred for suitability as riding horses. Many Friesian owners enjoy riding English or saddle seat but others prefer a western saddle for pleasure or trails. Although only a small number of Friesians are currently competing at the upper levels of dressage, Friesians are more and more common in the dressage ring. Considering the breed’s small number of dressage competitors, Friesians have done remarkably well in this sport.

Unlike many other European warmbloods, the Friesian has not been bred as a jumping horse. However some owners enjoy jumping their horses and some Friesians do well.

And because the Friesian combines showiness with achievement, they are crowd favorites in exhibitions. Audiences seem to enjoy them as much for their stunning appearance as for their actual talents.

The Friesian Horse: A Beautiful Balance

The modern Friesian combines athleticism with beauty and temperament. by Kristin Young

Equine Journal Magazine The Friesian horse of today is a dark and noble masterpiece created by time. It went from steady work horse, to bold warhorse, to high stepping trotter, to today’s high performance sport horse. Whether these changes were the result of utility or vanity, the qualities the breed displays have been carefully chosen by breeders throughout history. Farmers needed horses with pulling power, while knights required mounts with agility and speed, but what are breeders striving for today? Do they seek ultimate beauty or ultimate performance, or a combination? Whatever the discipline, there is not just one quality breeders are seeking. Instead, it is a careful balance of traits that creates the ideal Friesian horse. Appearance, temperament, health, and aptitude all come into play.

The Balance Begins

The balancing act began in the Friesland region of the northern Netherlands. This grassy region is best known for its Friesian potatoes, and black and white Friesian cattle. The main source of income for the Friesian people was farming, including crops, milk, cheese and butter. The agricultural lifestyle of these people molded the Friesian horse into a hardy breed that could pull farm equipment, carriages, and sleighs. The Friesian breed was developed on a foundation of hard work and small rations. Later on, its thriftiness and work ethic made it an excellent mount for battle. It was used by the Friesian armies when they were fighting against the Normans, and then by knights battling in the Crusades in the Middle East. At this time, the Friesian was still coarse in appearance, but, during the knights’ conquests in the Middle East, it was refined through the introduction of Arabian and Andalusian blood. The Arabian influence is evident today in the Friesian’s arching neck and active movement. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the high-stepping Friesian was in great demand as a trotting horse. Horse races were popular in Friesland, and many towns held annual races. The races began on horseback but later evolved into harness races. In 1823, King William I created an annual race in remembrance of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium, during which Europe regained its freedom from the French Emperor Napoleon. This prestigious race became known as the Kings-Golden-Whip-Day because the winner was presented with a golden whip. However, the breed’s use as a trotting horse ended with the appearance of faster Russian and American race horses. In fact, the influx of these breeds and the resultant crossbreeding nearly led to the Friesian’s extinction. By 1913, there were only three approved stallions standing in Friesland and no young stallions had been registered since 1907. The dire situation spurred the creation of the Het Friesche Paard (“The Friesian Horse” association), which sought to bring back and improve the breed. At this time, the important balance of temperament, beauty, and build was brought to the forefront. The strict guidelines the association developed are still in use today.