Friesian.... Why?

[Lippyx]

After reading Nakita's thread about looking at a baby Friesian, it made me think about this breed. Don't often hear much about them, not like you do with TB's, cob types etc.

So for all you Friesian owners out there, what would you say to some one who may consider one of these breed of horses? Pro's and con's and what to look out for. What could they do i.e show jumping etc.

I think this is such an amazing horse to look at, and would consider looking at one to buy/own, but want to know more about them really..... so....... Go for it......

 

[saz5083]

I have a friesian part bred (50% friesian 25% cob 25% tb) so maybe not quite relevant but he's won and placed unaffil dressage up to and including elem, and BD up to and including nov. Won and placed SJ up to 1.10 (I havent competed him above that yet) and his main job is eventing (competing BE PN, schooled N with loads of scope). He has also done well WH and SH. He is a fantastic little horse (although I may be biased ) but is very sensitive and sharp and not everybodys ride. How much of his jumping ability and temperament is down to the friesian and how much is the rest I dont know.

 

[Nudibranch]

I don't own one (yet) but intend to fairly soon. I'm planning on importing a yearling / 2yo. As a breed I believe they are pretty kind and even-tempered, with a good attitude towards work. I've never seen one jumping but apparently they're good at dressage, and obviously for driving. I have to say, I've no idea why they aren't more popular, they're stunning horses with huge presence. Maybe it's because there are no registered stallions here, and I'm not sure they'd fit into a lot of showing classes.

You see a lot of "crosses" for sale, I think there are a few around with dubious breeding, yet they sellers seem to think they can still ask a premium because there's a bit of friesian involved. Hence my plan to import. Though to be fair if something decent came up here I'd go and look.

ETA - Saz, I'm not having a pop at crosses btw, just people who ask silly prices!

 

[bexwarren24]

Haha, ok, my personal list:

Amazing movement, as beautiful as any warmblood i have seen.

Amazing precense (sp), you cant go to a show without comments and stares (not always a good thing i suppose)

Not known for their jumping ability but my boy will easily pop 4ft, thats as high as i want to go.

Personalities, couldnt asked for a nicer natured breed, they love humans, enjoy their work and have never met one yet that had anything but love for people.

Ok, they are not really speed demons but they are defanetly not all lazy plods and there is normally a friesian out there that will sort all levels of riding.

 

[greenlivery]

I have a friesian. He is very sweet natured and loving. I think with any breed you can't say for sure what they can be like, I know people often say how calm friesians are, but my boy can get pretty hot headed on occasions. They are big powerful horses so you do need to make sure you can handle them!
One thing I find with my boy is that he gains weight if he even smells food!

 

[UnaB]

I bought a friesian in 2007 after many years looking at them, and also other breeds. I had considered Trakehners and almost imported a paint from Canada lol. But the friesians won for me. I put on a lot of weight a few years ago after a car crash (was unable to walk for a year but its no excuse, i need to lose it!!!) so a horse capable of carrying a bit of weight was important for me. But, i didnt want a "heavy" horse, i like a bit of refinement. The friesian ticked all the boxes for me - decent weight carriers but not overdone, beautiful movement, wonderful temperments and amazing to look at (i always wanted Black Beauty as a child lol).

They are currently competing at a high level in Dressage in many countries, and there are also several successfully showjumping and eventing around the world. The FPS is definately wanting to move on from the stereotype of them just being flashy driving horses, they are aiming for them to be very adaptable and capable of holding their own in dressage and jumping and most breeders also share this aim

I've only just started my mare under saddle and she has been perfect every step of the way. She has the most amazing paces, really comfy to ride. Her canter is SO nice, its like riding a big rocking horse, lovely to sit lol

 

[Spudlet]

I reeeeeally want one one day, I think they are just stunning! I will be watching this thread with great interest

 

[Theresa_F]

My second choice after the gypsy cob. I went for the cob as I do love the hair, and whilst mine is nearly 15.1 he is not too big and some friesians can be 16 hands plus which I don't mind, but 15.1 is a better size for my little legs.

I have a friend who works with them, wonderful temperament, stallions are very easy to handle compared to some.

Friesian crossed with a gypsy cob does give you the best of both breeds most of the time, as long as both are of excellent quality. Stinky's dad is in France and often bred to them and the offspring are breath taking to see.

 

[wilde2]

Well I read a lot about the breed before I decided to buy - I wanted a horse that would not find dressage too difficult - comparative to the horse I had to retire, but also that was not hot, and more of a weight carrier (at the time so my husband could ride him too). I had been told that jumping was not their strong point, but that did not worry me. I bought my boy as a 4 year old (a lot younger than I originally was looking for) He has a wonderful nature, loves being with people - and as a baby was incredibly good. He has nice paces and a nice attitude. He is currently on schooling livery - long/complicated story, and is going beautifully. I have to say though, although I can count on one hand the amount of times he has spooked or been silly with me in the 2 years I have had him, when he goes - you are very aware of the power they have. I guess it depends what you are used to riding - but that was quite a shock to me. I would really recommend them though, although I have found for as many people that like them, a lot of people hate them too!

 

[Maiko]

Why a Friesian? Because once you have had one, you will never want to be without one.

They are incredibly loyal, and quite often a "one-person" horse. That's not to say that they won't work for other people, but once you have a bond with your Friesian, you will find that it's an incredibly strong bond. I always think of them as over-sized black labradors!

They are stunning to look at, a real life dream horse. Mine always turn heads wherever they go, and people will always want to come and talk to you and touch your horse.

They have, on the whole, tremendous movement, which lends itself to dressage, and they also look sensational as a carriage horse. They are extremely adaptable and can turn a hoof to anything (my old boy and I did driving, dressage, hunter trialling, side saddle, showing, sponsored rides, quadrille, beach rides, etc etc).

I would generally not recommend them as a good horse for a total novice. They are big powerful horses, some of them can be sharp to ride, and without firm handling they can be pushy and bargy. Sadly, many are advertised as novice friendly, even though they are young horses and need proper grounding. They are also a long-term project if you take on a young one, as they tend to work on "Friesian Time" and take a long time to mature. If you want something young to spin up through the dressage ranks quickly, don't buy a Friesian. However, if you give them the time to mature, you will be pleasantly surprised at how far they take you up those same dressage ranks!

I simply adore mine, they are incredible horses. I also own a thoroughbred, just to show that I am not COMPLETELY biased!

 

[ibot]

i use to ride one in ireland and fell totally in love with the breed. When the time came i was lucky enough to be able to buy paddy and i am so happy i did.

he always greets me every morning and i love him to bits.
But he is just turning 5 and learning.Maybe with someone less experienced would take advantage.
The breed does tend to suffer with sweetitch and can suffer with thrush.
But once you have one you are hooked

 

[Shortcut]

I think they are one of the most beautiful breeds, like the black stallion you have always dreamed of owning (well me anyway)

I would definatly go out and buy one!!!

 

[hairycob]

We have Fresian x cob & he is wonderful. Ridden by teenage boy (hunting, XC, SJ) & yet happy to go an a hack with a "more mature" lady rider! Looks wise he is very hairy trad cob with the fresian colouring & a white star. Son only does unaffilliated comps but he has won hunter trials at 90cm & SJ at 1m.
He is the horse that everyone is looking at beforehand thinking "what on earth is that chunky thing doing at this height" before he goes clear. Much loved by photographers because his hair (mane 1m long, tail 18" wide) puts so much movement into the picture.
What comes from ther cob & what from the fresian side I don't know, but as far as I am concerned he is the perfect mix.

 

[peerielee]

I own a Friesian gelding, 3 yrs. He is lovely, cheeky, inquisitive, happy very loyal. Trusts me and we have a deep bond which has grown over time. I love his movement and ability to show off and please. he does need a firm hand but once he realises what his bounderies are then he is fine. I love him and wouldn't be without him.

 

[Katikins]

OK, TOTALLY going against the grain here but I really don't like them.

I will agree that they do have amazing personalities, they are a very very sweet breed but having lived here in Holland for over 3 years now its so funny how they are viewed. They are only really used as happy hacks here and are seen as barge horses (which is what they originally were). They are only so popular because of their big flowing manes and feathers etc and I'd go for almost any other breed before buying one. Also, I knew a Fresian breeder here (the breeders tend to export most of their stock as there isn't that much of a market here) and they are a breed that are becoming so inbred that they very rarely manage to give birth unassisted. Sorry, but I just think that's wrong.

I'm not saying these are hard and fast rules but that's my experience. And I just feel if the country that originally bred them doesn't really use them as riding horses, why the fascination with them abroad?

 

[Silverspring]

Cos they is black and shiny and have long manes and long tails and fluffy legs and the people in movies all ride them.

Honestly though unless you have a barge for them to pull you are pretty much buying it for the 'Look how much my Freisan cost' like a Ferrari only not so fast. The same can probably be said for a fair few breeds, many people buy them for the status symbol rather than because it's what they actually need for competitions.

I honestly think this is what has given WBs such a bad name, half wit riders who don't have a clue but want to have a flashy horse to career round the warm up ring on. Give me a bog standard TB or Arab any day, they are cheap, cheerful and go for miles oh or a cob but not a coloured one, they are too fashionable

 

[Umbongo]

I too am not so much of a fan, I think they look pretty but I don't think I would ever buy one.

There was one at our yard that I helped break in, he was so easy to break in, very chilled out and took it all in his stride. However on the ground and to handle he was an absolute brute....he knew his size and power and he used it!

Also if you do buy one you go through mane and tail detangler very quickly

 

[peerielee]

Also if you do buy one you go through mane and tail detangler very quickly

Lol, Yes this is true!

 

[bexwarren24]

Honestly though unless you have a barge for them to pull you are pretty much buying it for the 'Look how much my Freisan cost' like a Ferrari only not so fast. The same can probably be said for a fair few breeds, many people buy them for the status symbol rather than because it's what they actually need for competitions.QUOTE]

Gosh, I am proud to say I did not pay alot for my friesian, the price of your average RC horse and he can do as much as your average riding club horse, he just looks flashier doing it. I guess i did go to a country to buy him where they only use them as happy hacks (Do wonder why he is such a useless hack alone tho if this was all he was used for).

I do agree this comment can be used for alot of breeds though WB's being a prime example.

 

[Crazy Friesian]

Friesians, as with all horses, will get pushy if they are allowed to get away with it. My lad went through a stage of tryng his luck. He was "informed" otherwise! He has been nothing other than a pleasure to know.

Re: detangler - plait the tail! Yes it becomes a harder weapon to use on you but at least it saves a little!

 

[UnaB]

.

Honestly though unless you have a barge for them to pull you are pretty much buying it for the 'Look how much my Freisan cost' like a Ferrari only not so fast.

I think that is a little unfair to all of us friesian owners you have just offended

There are many, many breeds who have adapted to being used for things other than what they were originally bred for. Friesians are competing at the top levels in dressage around the world and there are also many successfully competing at SJ and Eventing. Yes, they are not going to make any Olympic teams, but they are more than capable of being an enjoyable and competitive horses at mid-level competition and plenty of people are only looking for this.

Yes, they are stunning to look at (IMO) but they are also lovely natured horses and pretty good weight carriers so are certainly ideal for a lot of riders from those who want an attractive safe, weight carrying happy hacker, to those wanting a potential dressage/jumping horse that is what they personally like to look at and will stand out in a crowd

 

[Maiko]

Cos they is black and shiny and have long manes and long tails and fluffy legs and the people in movies all ride them.

Honestly though unless you have a barge for them to pull you are pretty much buying it for the 'Look how much my Freisan cost' like a Ferrari only not so fast. The same can probably be said for a fair few breeds, many people buy them for the status symbol rather than because it's what they actually need for competitions.

What a shame that you have posted such an ill-informed and laughable response. How many people do you actually, personally, KNOW who own Friesians? It must be a large number in order for you to suggest that "many" people buy them as a status symbol. Given that they are not a usual breed to find on a yard, you obviously have a bigger network of Friesian contacts than me! If so, please send me their details, we're always on the look-out for new members.....

I have no issues with people who don't like the Friesian breed. I dislike most Arabs I have seen, and find miniature horses exceedingly puzzling (what do people do with them?), but I don't accuse their owners of being shallow, which is what you have done in your response about Friesians and their owners.

Maybe you are secretly jealous and need to be nasty to validate yourself? Who knows....

 

[Nakita]

Can't believe people are soo narrow minded about horse breeds today ...
No point even trying to educate i guess.

 

[swellhillcottage]

I have never seen one but the other day i went Clear round SJing and there was this black hairy Thing trotting round almost out of control ploughing thru jumps with a 20 foot stride In all honesty it scared me witless and tried to avoid it which was quite difficult !! later on i got chatting to the rider who had bought him for 6K four months earlier he was 9 years old and hadnt done anything or been anywhere TBH she did manage to trot it round the 1'9 course but IMO it was a great big bolshy carthorse type that needed a serious amount of schooling and would look more at home doing other things i would definately spend 6 k elsewhere given the choice !!

Sharonxx

 

[Silverspring]

Maybe you are secretly jealous and need to be nasty to validate yourself? Who knows....

LMAO yes I am jealous, very, very jealous in fact. MY horse is brown, plain boring brown she has a half chewed tail, a long at part spikey at other mane and can do 100 miles in a day...but is not black and shiny and really doesn't look like a movie star

My post was supposed to be tongue in cheek but you clearly wanted to get offended so go ahead.

As with many breed types (I'm thinking Dutch WB, Coloured cob, appy's) there are a fair few people out there who own them because 'they is cool'

I know 3 Friesian owners in total. One is a narcissistic b!tch who wouldn't leave the house without a full gace of make up and KP outfit, she regularly bangs on about feathers, manes, condition shampoo, blah blah blah. The other had an Arab but in her words 'Wanted flashy that could also carry weight' so bought a Friesan and the last bought her Friesan 'cos she always wanted a black horse' so forgive me for being slight biased, my experience tells me all Friesan owners are in it for the looks

 

[UnaB]

LMAO yes I am jealous, very, very jealous in fact. MY horse is brown, plain boring brown she has a half chewed tail, a long at part spikey at other mane and can do 100 miles in a day...but is not black and shiny and really doesn't look like a movie star

My post was supposed to be tongue in cheek but you clearly wanted to get offended so go ahead.

As with many breed types (I'm thinking Dutch WB, Coloured cob, appy's) there are a fair few people out there who own them because 'they is cool'

I know 3 Friesian owners in total. One is a narcissistic b!tch who wouldn't leave the house without a full gace of make up and KP outfit, she regularly bangs on about feathers, manes, condition shampoo, blah blah blah. The other had an Arab but in her words 'Wanted flashy that could also carry weight' so bought a Friesan and the last bought her Friesan 'cos she always wanted a black horse' so forgive me for being slight biased, my experience tells me all Friesan owners are in it for the looks

Wow, thank god you were able to enlighten everyone as to what us friesian owners are really like from your VAST experience of knowing... three

 

[Nakita]

Hmmm, I've just bought one despite going to the yard like a complete minger, HATING Katie Price and all her tacky clothes, dreading the thought of attempting to get knots out of a long mane ... but now glad to know people will judge me because they have met 3 plonkers with the same breed.

 

[UnaB]

Hmmm, I've just bought one despite going to the yard like a complete minger, HATING Katie Price and all her tacky clothes, dreading the thought of attempting to get knots out of a long mane ... but now glad to know people will judge me because they have met 3 plonkers with the same breed.

Dont worry, using Silversprings logic all TB owners are blonde and stuck up snobby b*tches as I know 4 stuck up snobby blonde b*tches that own TBs.

So, in reality, we friesian owners arent that bad, just chavvy lol!

 

[ibot]

i love being a friesian owner and it has nothing to do with him being my ideal horse. everyone has a breed they like and if we all liked the same thing the world would be boring

 

[bexwarren24]

Well, this is my £4000 friesian jumping in the school. As you can see I didnt just buy him because he looked good. He def has a purpose, ok he wont win badminton but I wouldnt on any horse either so we suit.

Jump measured 1m20.