buying a yearling Friesian

tobiano1984

tobiano1984

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I'm considering buying an 8 month old Friesian colt - the opportunity has come up and I've always wanted one :-) but I'm not sure if I'm being ruled by my heart over my head..!

My other horse is a 3 year old that I've successfully broken in myself, and he was practically wild when I bought him a year ago (no halter training, etc), so I'm not inexperienced with youngsters but never owned something under 3.

Just looking for thoughts on a) Friesians and b) buying something this young, and what to do with it! Is it more trouble than it's worth?

The boy in question has come over from Holland, so I guess he's done quite a bit already in terms of travelling, haltering etc.
 
If you have the finances and people around you who can help if needed (or can pay for it if needed) then why not! I took on my boy at a 6 month old unhandled foal (dartmoor) I'd done handlng unhandled ponies but not backing etc, he's now nearly 7 and I have backed him and he's amazing. The bond we have is great as I've been with him all that time and if I ever got another I would want to do the same again and have them from a young age to build that bond and trust from an early age.

It's amazing where the time has gone as I didn't back him until last year but we did loads of walks in hand, bombproofing obstacles courses, a few demos and shows etc found lots to do with him!

Of course a lot will depend on the horses temprement and how he reacts to situations as to what challenges you will face but from the sounds of it you have some experience with youngsters.

I am saying this only because I am very envious as that's what I would love to have next a Friesian youngster to bring on and then back!
 
Oooh, go for it!

I went to view 3 on buying mine. One not for me, one perfect by my head - right age, size etc, one perfect by my heart- too young, unhandled, but fell in love with her instantly.

I spent ages contemplating the one perfect by my head and ended up driving home with one perfect by my heart. It was absolutely worth it.

I wouldn't trade her for the world, but was always open to selling her on if I believed she'd be better off elsewhere. Couldn't have made a better choice.

Pan
 
I've found with my friesians that as youngsters they pretty much train themselves :)

My foals have always been very very people friendly, will come and mug me in the field and are quite happy to be touched all over. So far all of mine have been very easy to halter break and take for walks. I haven't found them any trouble at all.

As for getting one that young all you need to do for the first year is the absolute basics - touching, feet, small bits of leading (unless you plan to show) and then build on that as he gets older.

If you are buying a friesian though then check his breeding, if you know who his sire and dam are I can do a quick FPS check for you!
 
Great! In terms of breeding, I know his sire is Sierk 326, don't know yet who the sam is. The colt isn't FPS registered - Probably why he isn't very expensive! What could be the reason for not being registered?
 
It's quite expensive to register them, or the dam could be unregsitered but that is unlikely. Could also be that he has 'unallowed' white markings which would then make him inelligable for registration.

If he doesn't have any white then you could register him provided that you know the details of his dam - including her registration number. You'd have to send off a DNA sample and it could end up costing you about £300 all told but it is doable. If he does have white markings then you wouldn't be able to do that.

Has he been brought over here after weaning or was his dam imported in foal do you know? That could be another reason for him not being registered - the dam's owner has looked at how much it costs - it can be pricey!
 
We have a colt with very good bloodlines, who will be registered later this year but hasn't been yet as the price is horrendous and other things were going on at the time. Sometimes life takes over.

Also some people just aren't fussed by it. Mine is meant to have good bloodlines, but honestly couldn't tell you anything about them as it's not something I care for!

Pan
 
Well I went to see him yesterday - very sweet!

There was a slight worry in that his hind legs were quite puffy/had oedema - not lame or hot at all, and he has been standing in a stall for weeks with very little turnout. The seller has assured me that after being turned out the legs have gone back to normal.

He seemed healthy otherwise - quite a scabby coat, but nothing hideous. seemed very sound and responsive when we lead him around and trotted him up.

His breeding is Pierke H x Sierk 326 if that means anything to anyone!

I'm in two minds - he does seem very sweet and biddable, but I've also been researching the breed online and all these awful genetic traits seem to be popping up..! Colic, joint issues, heart problems etc. This worries me slightly - I'm enjoying having my lovely Heinz 57 gelding who never goes wrong, and whilst I have always wanted a Friesian I don't really want to end up with a lovely pedigree animal that runs up huge vet bills!

Are these just horror stories or has anyone else had problems?? I'm also aware that the colt I'm looking at is very cheap for a Friesian - supposedly he was a part exchange - the seller breeds other types of horse and sells to the continent, and gets others shipped back for breeding or in exchange - and this colt was amongst them.

Any thoughts would be appreciated as I'm feeling a bit indecisive..!!
 
Only 850 which seems suspiciously low for a Friesian. I've decided not to buy - just something not right! I know Friesians can have a few genetic weaknesses and I can't help but think a cheap one is more likely to!
 
Hello

Have you made a decision? Have you called the FHAGBI? They were extremely helpful when I decided to buy an Unregistered 2yo.

The puffy legs doesnt sound too good, when I arranged my vetting I did a lot of research as I had the same concerns as you. Once I had found a recommended vet with experience of Freisians he told me to ensure the horse was standing in a stable for at least an hour prior to his vetting.

I understand this is standard but he said it was particurlarly important, as he wanted to check for puffiness in the legs. The main concerns were OCD. Luckily my boy passed in vetting and so far so good (touch wood).

Anyway, good luck
 
I know 3 Friesians-all 3 have joint problems. 2 are currently lame(1 cannot be fixed,the other is three quarters thru treatment&rehab) and other is intermittently lame. 2 of the 3 have skin problems,other has had chronic mud fever in the past. None are related&all were imported (by same dodgy dealer) who has a nice line in making tons of money selling less-than-great specimens of the breed to novices who want a 'pretty' horse with a flowing mane and impressive stature(not saying that's what you are-don't know you!) I think your instincts were very probably right:-/
 
I am a massive fan of the breed. True - there can be genetic predispositions to things like sweet itch but, on the other hand, they are they most tractable and best natured breed I have ever encountered. My mother's four year old gelding was backed February last year and two months later he was winning at Intro level; they have affiliated this year and are winning all round them. Of course, hard work and effort played a massive part but so did his willingness to please. I have never heard of lameness being a huge issue with the breed. I would, nevertheless, be concerned about the filled legs with regards your colt. We also have a Friesian mare who we bought for £800; ok, she was an unknown quantity when we bought her off the field but she is registered with plenty of sters in her lineage - she now competes at Prelim level, drives and is hopefully going to be a fab brood mare (foal due in only two weeks!). She was an absolute bargain and we wouldn't part with her for all the tea in china. :D So, while I agree for the most part with other posters about your colt being suspiciously cheap, there are still success stories out there! Good luck with your search. Hope you don't completely write off the breed - they're great! :)
 
I agree, dont write off the breed!

From what I found...the lameness issues are often OCD. It is not surprising to see this condition in Freisians, many people still overfeed, its also caused by growing youngsters being stabled for lengthy periods and being backed too young, or lunged, I was told to wait til mine is at least 4 before backing and I was told not to lunge him either, lots of groundwork though! he wont mature fully til he is 8yo.
 
Ahh that is a shame about his legs, the puffiness would put me off as well - it could have been infected mud rash though??

As for friesians in general I have 5 friesians and also know others.

I have a 19yomare, 10yo mare, 3yo colt, 3yo filly, 9month old colt and have also bred another - a gelding who is now in another home.

None have had joint problems, colic or sweet itch. They have all had a dose of mud rash at some point but nothing worse than any other horse I've ever had and nowhere near as bad as some welshies and cobs that I know.

My 9 month old foal was born with ballerina syndrome but the injections sorted that out and he came back to normal - I've had his joints checked by my vet since and there are no problems.

Mine get very little if any hard feed and don't need it.

So far I have found them to be the most willing breed of horse I have ever come across - my 10yo mare can have her moments with other people and can be fussy about certain things but she always gives me 100% and I have had no problems with her at all through the backing process.

I don't think I'd own anything but friesians now, I'm already looking forward to starting doing groundwork with my filly over the summer.
 
I'm definitely not put off Freisians - I'd still like one in the future, but didn't want to make a mistake and put myself off them..! I think I'd rather take my time and find one with good breeding and good health, whereas I was really looking at this one because he was cheap and popped up in my area.

Aside from the leg issue, the seller is a dealer in gypsy types and just happened to get a friesian sent over on the lorry from Holland. Makes me think someone over there was trying to get rid...

I shall save up a bit more and get one with a bit more of a paper trail!!
 
I think you've done the right thing.

A good, well bred friesian will never be cheap, and if this poor little fella has just been sent on the transporter from Holland then there is very probably something wrong.

I feel quite sorry for him now.
 
Is is right that Saddlebred stallions have been used on Friesians to make give them a bit more height and riding horse, rather than driving horse, suitability?
 
Don't get me wrong,the ones I know all have lovely,lively temperaments and are relatively(as horses go!) stress free to own and handle.(Aside from the lameness,which obviously causes stress but any horse can go lame).
 
I think a wise decision, you dont want lots of worry and stress if anything is wrong.
You can see the difference in the quality on occasions hence the high prices even in babies for the really good ones.
The Dutch know their horses!
 
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