Horse
Breed Description:
The Friesian breed of horse is a striking black driving horse from the Netherlands. It was the mount of German and Friesian knights during the Crusades. Although Friesians excel at dressage, they are more frequently used as carriage horses. Some Friesians may have a small white star on their foreheads (even this is accepted only on geldings and studbook mares), but the horses are otherwise all black. The Friesian breed of horse is exceptionally handsome, with a fast, high-stepping trot. Lighter in build than many of the draft breeds, the Friesian breed of horse is instantly recognizable. Tall and powerful, its carriage is upright and its actions fluid and bold. It has a fine long head with a flat profile, an arched neck carried high, an alert expression with lively ears that point in at the tips, quarters that slope gently from the croup, and legs that are long and well-feathered.
Temperament:
The Friesian breed of horse is energetic, but known for its gentle, sociable nature.
Height:
The Friesian breed of horse stands 15 to 16 hands high.
Weight:
The Friesian breed of horse weighs between 1,250 and 1,450 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Friesian breed of horse is not associated with many breed-specific health problems. One issue that does arise is "scratches" (also known as pastern dermatitis and grease heel), a skin irritation commonly associated with draft horses and other breeds with long feathers. Dwarfism and Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) can also arise. OCD is a degenerative joint disease usually found in rapidly growing horses who will eventually mature to over 15 hands. Finally, breeders of Friesians should be aware of the "Chestnut Factor," which refers to the occasional birth of a chestnut Friesian foal, rather than the preferred black.
Grooming:
Trimming the hair of the mane, tail, or legs of the Friesian breed of horse -- or even braiding the mane -- is frowned upon.
Origin:
The black Friesian breed of horse is one of the oldest domesticated breeds in Europe. It is native to the province of Friesland in the northern Netherlands. In 120 B.C., the Romans from what is now England hired mercenaries from Friesland, who brought with them big, powerful horses to help build Emperor Hadrian's wall, which defined the northern boundary of Roman Britain. The horses from Friesland were famous throughout Europe by the 13th century, and there is written documentation of the Friesian breed of horse in Cologne in 1251. Friesians carried knights in armor throughout the Middle Ages.
Their agility later made Friesians sought after in the riding schools of Paris and Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries, and it was the Friesian breed of horse that first participated in trotting races over short distances in the 18th century.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, and probably earlier, Arabian and Andalusian blood was introduced to lighten the breed. This gave Friesians their high knee action, small heads, and arching necks. The Friesian breed of horse is one of the few with no Thoroughbred crosses in its history. During the last two centuries, the breed has been bred pure.
With industrialization and the increase of mechanization on the farm and in transportation, the Friesian horse was very close to extinction. In fact, prior to World War I, the number of Friesian stallions was reduced to only three. The Friesian was saved from extinction by a group of dedicated breeders in Friesland itself, and the purity of the Friesian breed of horse was maintained through the rigorous efforts of the official Dutch studbook. Friesian breeding is still done under strict guidelines with regard to selection, performance testing, and classification, ensuring that the quality of the breed remains very high. 