Friesian value

teddy_

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They are well off middle aged women’s dream horses. They are posher than a gypsy cob and more expensive as foreign but essentially they are barbie horses. Shiny black with flowing locks. The reality is they are trickier than they look, there is a lot of crap ones and for every nice one there are 50 that are rubbish. They look nice pulling coffins though….

An acquaintance has a crap one - couldn’t get it to canter. It was quite sharp and went lame a lot so they have …… yep bred a foal from it.
Every time I hear the average horse owner saying "I got a mare, so I can breed if it breaks"... I despair. Yes, great idea, breed from something most likely unproven, in a lot of cases of mediocre lineage and unable to stand up to work. I know that's not the case in all horses breaking (i.e., field injuries and much older animals, etc.), but even still 🙃.
 

millreef

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They are well off middle aged women’s dream horses. They are posher than a gypsy cob and more expensive as foreign but essentially they are barbie horses. Shiny black with flowing locks. The reality is they are trickier than they look, there is a lot of crap ones and for every nice one there are 50 that are rubbish. They look nice pulling coffins though….

An acquaintance has a crap one - couldn’t get it to canter. It was quite sharp and went lame a lot so they have …… yep bred a foal from it.
Ouch! Middle aged- check, female -check, doesn’t want a coloured cob- check😵😵😵😵😊😊
Over here there are very few of them and mine is rescued from a life of foaling babies so I don’t feel so bad.
I got her because I could see potential. My first horse over here was a broken racehorse Anglo/arab that nobody wanted. Once he was brought on he was very popular.
Reading this whole thread has given me mixed feelings.
I’m glad that people are able to ask and give advice but I do think that some owners don’t get emotionally attached to their horses which I find difficult to understand. I’m in this for the long run. My mare will stay with me till the end.
 

Cortez

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Gosh, so much hatred for the poor old Friesian! I have had them for years, along with Spanish/Iberian horses, as part of my business using horses for historical displays and film. They have all been very good, kindhearted, hardworking and did the job I had them for. If I wanted a horse for conventional sport and competition then I wouldn't choose a Friesian, but you can't blame a horse for being what they are.

They are very beautiful and striking, if trained properly, not the brightest bulbs I have to say, and you do have to work very hard to help them off the forehand. If I had to choose, it would be Spanish for me, but I'd certainly have another Friesian (of the right type) again.
 

Nudibranch

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I've always liked them. Always wanted one tbh. I don't think they're Barbie at all - plenty of alternatives I could think of for that label. I drive and I like driving types. Cleveland Bays are another I love, again very much marmite. One of my best ever was a CB. I just love the upright, rangy, old fashioned hunter types you hardly ever see these days. With a decent hoof.
Anyway if the OP ever wants rid I have plenty of space for a field ornament...😉
 

Gloi

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I must admit the ones I've met have all had either serious health issues or behavioral issues. Sadly the nice natured ones have been the ill/dead ones
 

meleeka

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I must admit the ones I've met have all had either serious health issues or behavioral issues. Sadly the nice natured ones have been the ill/dead ones
Mine was angelic to handle/ride/drive and never sick or sorry, bar untreated feather mites when I got her. She wasn’t looked after in her previous home at all, but still lived to 25. She was the traditional type.
 

Bellaboo18

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Ouch! Middle aged- check, female -check, doesn’t want a coloured cob- check😵😵😵😵😊😊
Over here there are very few of them and mine is rescued from a life of foaling babies so I don’t feel so bad.
I got her because I could see potential. My first horse over here was a broken racehorse Anglo/arab that nobody wanted. Once he was brought on he was very popular.
Reading this whole thread has given me mixed feelings.
I’m glad that people are able to ask and give advice but I do think that some owners don’t get emotionally attached to their horses which I find difficult to understand. I’m in this for the long run. My mare will stay with me till the end.
She did edit the post to remove fat 😱
 

Gloi

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Mine was angelic to handle/ride/drive and never sick or sorry, bar untreated feather mites when I got her. She wasn’t looked after in her previous home at all, but still lived to 25. She was the traditional type.
I'd certainly make sure genetic screenings were done on any being bought. It wouldn't be good to end up with one with megaesophagus or aorta defects. I wouldn't like to see another horse die like that, it was seriously gory. They were imported from the Netherlands.
 

Peglo

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I've always liked them. Always wanted one tbh. I don't think they're Barbie at all - plenty of alternatives I could think of for that label. I drive and I like driving types. Cleveland Bays are another I love, again very much marmite. One of my best ever was a CB. I just love the upright, rangy, old fashioned hunter types you hardly ever see these days. With a decent hoof.
Anyway if the OP ever wants rid I have plenty of space for a field ornament...😉

Nothing wrong with a Barbie horse anyway 😉 my haflinger gets called Barbie at our riding club. And I was also told she looks like a Disney pony. 😂

I think friesians are lovely but have never dreamed of owning one. Certainly wouldn’t spend £25k for one, never mind one that’s lame. (As if I have that kind of money anyway 😂)
 

MidChristmasCrisis

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I’m a bit shocked by the prejudice generated in some about the Friesian breed (and their owners), many of us have a breed or type we prefer and some of us fall for the personality/suitability of a horse for a purpose. I have owned thoroughbreds, welshies, a couple of cross breeds, Friesians and have now added an Irish sport horse to the mix. Live and let live.
 

PinkvSantaboots

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They are well off middle aged women’s dream horses. They are posher than a gypsy cob and more expensive as foreign but essentially they are barbie horses. Shiny black with flowing locks. The reality is they are trickier than they look, there is a lot of crap ones and for every nice one there are 50 that are rubbish. They look nice pulling coffins though….

An acquaintance has a crap one - couldn’t get it to canter. It was quite sharp and went lame a lot so they have …… yep bred a foal from it.
Somewhat judgemental and quite rude
 
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