Friesian
Origin
Holland
History
The Friesian breed is believed descended from Equus Robustus. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and possibly earlier, blood of the ancient Iberian breed, the Andalusian, was introduced. There were also infusions of blood from other horses of western Europe. The Friesian has been kept completely free of influence of the English Thoroughbred and during the last two hundred years has been bred completely pure.
The Friesian breed had great influence on many other breeds. The Dole Gudbrandsdal of Norway derived directly from the Friesian. The UK also owes much the breed. The Frieslanders and their horses provided mounted auxiliaries for the Roman legions in Britain, whose settlements remained long after the Romans had gone. The Friesianīs influence was manifested in the Dales and Fell Ponies, and in the Old English Black from the Midlands. It is possible that the Shire horse of England is a direct descendant of the Friesian, as Dutch engineers were contracted to drain the Fens in the sixteenth century becauce it is interesting to note that from that time a predominantly black horse emerged in Lincolnshire.
However, despite its eminence, the Friesian was nearly lost during the First World War, and by 1913 there were only three remaining registered stallions in the stud book. World War II again threatened the breed with total extinction. But today, these wonderful horses are making a comeback. The stud book was founded in 1879 and today's Dutch registered horses are the result of over a century of rigorous evaluation and selection of breeding stock. Organizations from other countries may also register Friesian horses, but horses registered with those organizations may not have met the standards of the FPS and therefore the true Dutch Friesian registry cannot recognize the horses. The Friesian Horse Association of North America cannot recognize a horse whose papers are not issued by the Friesch Paarden Stamboek.
Description
- Head:
carried quite high with an expressive face - Conformation:
-compact, well-made body
-round-withered, very powerful shoulders
-characteristically, the quarters slope downward to a tail that is relatively low-set
-short and thick legs with big, clean joints
-hard hooves of blue horn
-the feathering on the lower legs is characteristic of the breed - Average height:
15 to 16 h.h. - Colours:
always black - Temperament:
lively, intelligent, honest and loyal, always willing to work, but proud - Today:
they are used for working on the land, are driven in harness and are prized as dressage horses. They are also in demand in the circus ring.
