The Friesian horse is the only horse breed native to the Netherlands, where the Friesian has been known since as far back as the 13th century. A consistent breeding policy has produced the Friesian horse we are familiar with today, exhibiting the unique characteristics of the breed and continuing to bear close resemblance to its ancestors.
Typical of these Black Pearls are the front, the majestic mane and feathering of the lower legs, the jet black colour and the spacious, powerful elevated gaits. The harmonious build and the noble head, set on a lightly arched neck, complete the aristocratic and fiery appearance.
Its amicable character is the key to a great utility breed. Multipurpose utility breed Midway through the last century the Friesian horse was used mainly as a harness horse in farming operations. These days Friesians are again being kept, but for purposes of recreation, breeding and sports, and often for some combination of these objectives.
The Friesian is often seen in the dressage ring and in driving sports. Some of the more common uses are:- ridden work under the saddle- harness horse- driving. There is a close relation between an animal’s intended use and its exterior. The horses that were bred for use in agriculture were more short-legged and compact than their ancestors, with forelegs a bit behind the vertical and a broad chest.With this broad chest, the horse was better able to throw itself ‘into the harness’ and in so doing develop more pulling power.These exterior characteristics are less functional these days in the riding arena or in harness and driving horses.For work under the saddle and driving sports a functional build is key.
The horse’s body must have an ‘uphill’ slope. With this ‘uphill’ build, the distribution of weight is brought more onto the hindquarters in motion, enabling the horse to ‘carry’ more with its hindquarters.
The Friesian horse has increasingly developed itself as a sports horse over the past decades, in so doing in fact returning to its origins before the agricultural interlude. The Friesian’s origin is of a luxuriant and aristocratic carriage horse. Today, thanks to its typical functional characteristics, the Friesian horse now competes with other breeds at the highest levels of equestrian sports.
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