Friesians as dressage horses ?

The question was Friesians as dressage horses.

Yes there are many at grand prix and a lot of trainers will tell you they can compete at levels as high as the warmbloods and other types.

They have an amazing ride and will give 100% and like to please.

Sabine Schut-Kelly wrote a good artcle about the friesian and training in dressage today some years ago, gives a far appraisal of issues with the friesian and how to train.

She talks about the issues of slow to react, use of the hindlegs etc

I can say they are not the ideal dressage horse due to as stated balance issues and poor aerobic capacity. Mine is like light and day outside big bolshy and could trot all day and canter and gallop superb. Inside finds balance the main problem so gets tired very easily, and once a friesian is tired they give up. They do not get a a second wind.

I would recommend trying a few before buying to see if you like them, great horses but do have some issues worth carefull consideration.
 
I ride a fresian cross, also ridden a pure fresian, both are brave to an extent but over react to the point of stupidity at things they do find spooky. They also find canter hard, and give the illusion of working from behind when in fact they can track up easily without engaging at all. I really like/liked both the ones I worked with, but they were other people's and I'm not sure I'd choose to buy one myself with the aim of dressage tbh.
 
I think if you a novice owner the most important thing you can do is find a horse that will do the job you need not restrict yourself to a certain breed.
mark Nichols above pretty well sums up my experiance of fresians.
I think they are odd horses they have a odd vibe a bit different , with deep pockets and good help to select I think you will find a fresian that will do your job ( indroduce a novice owner to dressage) but you will have to search diligently and see a lot and pay a lot of money.
If I where in your shoes I would concerntrate on finding the right horse for you irrespective of breed.
 
OP last posted on the 2nd August. I remember this thread because she used two user names on a previous thread I'd replied to and it all got very strange. I admire how everyone is carrying on and giving good advice. I think OP wanted a flashy 'sexy' horse she could show off on. :rolleyes:

Nonetheless, intresting views about Freisians.
 
TrasaM said:
OP last posted on the 2nd August. I remember this thread because she used two user names on a previous thread I'd replied to and it all got very strange. I admire how everyone is carrying on and giving good advice. I think OP wanted a flashy 'sexy' horse she could show off on. :rolleyes:

Nonetheless, intresting views about Freisians.
Click to expand...

Oh :o

Would be good to have a thread killer button sometimes.......

Just reread other thread and realised OP didn't have much money and was a nervous novicey rider :eek: but wanted a horse that she could watch a competitions.... Will bow out now. Thanks TM for heads up
 
I have a friesian and I compete BD at novice level he was not schooled and taught anything under saddle until 8 years of age after being imported from holland to pull a hearse.
He has been one of the most easiest going horses I have ever known I could put any novice rider on him and he will make them look fabulous! Very obedient quick to learn and extremely good temperament!

My only point would be that you do have difficulty at the lower levels in form of their neck carriage I have had to spend almost 2 years trying to get my friesian to accept the contact low and stretch into it (although like I mentioned he learnt to canter fore the first time aged 8) he is now 10 and he is doing very well in BD we are hoping to join BYRD's in 2014. On a whole they are very upwards in motion rather than forward however once a forward motion/extension has been accomplished it is amazing to watch and ride!! Collection is also no different to other horses in training they just come up off the ground more.

I would recommend anyone into the breed and I am already looking for my next friesian to introduce to the world of dressage! The friesian I use is more Baroque style however and the more modern types have been known to be more hot headed (so doing your research into their breeding will be useful if your not looking for something a little more feisty.
 
You are as a lot of people finding out they do not build there strength up until a lot later than other horses,
Mine has been a very weak horse, excellent breeding and had all the issues of getting him to work from behind.

We have done well in competitions allways getting first or second, but i would have severe difficulty recommending one,
not a beginers horse and not for anyone wanting to progress quickly.

In my opinion after 4 years of ownership this is a horse to buy as you have at 6 yrs- 8yrs old minimum and as you suggest from holland,
as the uk sales of friesians are very poor.

Nice to here youre doing well and they are a wonderfull breed to own, but do have a lot of issues.
 
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