are friesians as crazy as people say they are?

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myfatpony

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id would love a friesian as a new horse but ive been asking around and apparently they are really crazy and loopy? ive never acctually riden one or handled one so i have no idea what they can be like. anyone got or had a friesian?
:)
 
Never owned one, trimmed quite a few. I can honestly say they are as good or bad as their management.

Sensitive and intelligent, not a horse for someone that wants a dope on a rope
 
I've always heard they're very quiet- best pace- halt! This is from people who work with tens of them, mainly stallions!
 
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I have a friesian x and he is a real sweetie but very very sensitive he was sold to me as a suitable for a novice but he definitely isn't. He's very bossy, stroppy, spooky and greedy but I do love the old git for some strange reason :D
 
I have a cross and he is without doubt one of the nicest, most genuine, hard working little chap I have had. He is sensitive but never silly, always listens to me. (Can you tell I'm besotted :o)

My aunty has backed two, and I think (hope) she would admit she isn't the most confident rider. Both have turned out lovely. Agree, as good as their management. So shop around and look one from a knowledgeable home, which has taught good manners :D One of my aunt's came from an allotment in Yorkshire where he was fed veg peelings and a packet of chocolate bourbons a night because the owner 'wanted a big black 'orse like in the movies' That one was bargey to start with, but with firm handling soon became easy and cuddly :) They learn V quickly IME :D
 
ah i can handle bossy and spooky and the pony ive got at the min sure is a handlful. i dont like a plod along, much more exciting having a horse with a bit of personality :)
 
We have a friesian stallion here. He IS a dope on a rope. He's easy to do anything with, can be a tad stubborn and opinionated but anyone can ride him. He's a dream to handle/ work.
 
With any horse , they have there good and bad points
I must say modern types are bred with hotter temperaments
I have modern and baroque type , my modern is hotter then my baroque he is more laid back
Handling has a big part in it to
 
Mine is probably the most laid back horse i've ever known, and she is a recently broken baby. Can hack her out in the heaviest traffic alone and she never acts up at all and has perfect ground manners. Certain lines do have hotter temperments though, my mare is by a stallion who is known to produce foals with very gentle, trainable temperments. Its very important to research the lines before buying one.
 
I have a stallion. If you dont like sweet, cuddly, buffoonish, cute, cheeky but never a nasty bone, then def not a breed for you... :D But yep, there are some lines that are hotter than others.

Personally I would never have another one... his gorgeous temperament with the big innocent (even when being downright cheeky) eyes is a little wearing at times. :D
 
I handle one at work nearly every day and once the right food and exercise plan is sorted they seem to be quite calm. She can be a bit spooky but i call it 'awake and nosey' my warmblood is exactly the same so i can't say it's cos she is a freisian.
I'd love to get on one to see how they feel as they always have that 'pantomime horse' walk, and prone to passaging for no real reason!
 
I have a friesian filly, she will be 2 at the end of June.
She is so laid back for a baby, nothing has phased her at all! Often on out walks she has to take the lead past scary things that the older horses are spooking at! She adores people & really is like a big dog, always wants to be around me & groom me :)
However she is VERY smart and as a result every few weeks because of her age she is trying out new things to see if she can get away with it. She would definetly take full advantage of someone who wasn't experienced.
Before I got her I read all about friesians being bargy and always wanting to be in your space etc, this she has a certainly lived up to! To start with she was extremely bargy, had no respect of personal space and to top this she is smart and stubborn so teaching her took a while! Lol. But finally I have a nice well mannered youngster, how moves when asked etc.
Another thing I read was that they are 'one person' horses which she also seems to be living up to, she is on part livery, and when other people are putting her rug on/off, feeding her etc she apparently pulls face & pretends she is going to bite (never has ... yet) but whenever I am dealing with her she is an angel!

So my experience of the breed is as others have said laid back, sensative and very smart but in the wrong hands could end up a real handful!
 
I have had one since he was 1, he is nearly 4. He is super, nosy, inquisetive, people orientated, trusting. I wouldnt change him for the world a lovely horse and breed to work with :D
 
I have found them to generally be sensible types - although I agree that the modern types are sharper - I presume as they are trying to introduce more stamina.

The old fashioned type are great. We have a stallion on the yard and he is a poppet.

I also remember several years ago, when the breed were first being brought over to this country seeing a team of friesian four years olds competing at Hopetoun driving trials with one of the less experienced drivers. Through no fault of theirs, the carriage tipped over in the water obstacle - knowledgeable spectators belted in to grab the horses fearing they'd bolt - the team had other ideas however and just stood like rocks wondering what all the fuss was about!!:D

I have heard from several different sources though that one stallion is reknown for produce that bolts so it may be worth doing some research on that front first!
 
thanks for all the replies.
if i did get one i get a 7 y/o ish. the stubborness and bargyness i can handle haha.
are they good all rounders? jumping, hacking, schooling etc..
 
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