Friesians peoples experiences of the breed please thank you :)

The friesian is by far the best breed I have ever ridden. Powerful and forward, yet calm and gentle. He will hack alone, gallop through open feilds, compete on grass etc all in a snaffle. I've never met a more honest and kind horse, yet still flashy fun and forward.

He is a very special boy, however I have heard these traits often from other Friesian owners.

Don't get me wrong though if you don't like big movements or high energy would scare you, they may not been the best choice. The action takes a wee bit of getting used to, and you have to realise that they are not about to bomb off, they just can be quite enthusiastic.

I had a 8yo kid, 12yo kid and my partner - all 100% beginners - on my boy (not at the same time :p) he was so careful with them, slowing right down if they got a bit unbalanced. My partner within 5 mins was turning him,slowing down and halting - just using his seat.
My novice mum rode him bare back hacking to the field.
Then on the same month get comments from dressage judges like "Super Horse! So much Energy!!" Today we went hacking over open moorland alone, a new place we hadn't been, he was an angel.

Each one will be different, that just my experience, and from what I have heard from other owners seems to be quite similar.
 
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I have had two Friesians. The first was a very big solid Baroque type with movement that almost seemed bigger than he was! One thing I have found with all Friesians is you either like the big upwards thrust of their movement or you dont. His trot could literally throw you out the saddle. Canter took a long time to build up properly (he would prefer to drop into trot as he found holding himself together difficult until he was fully matured at around 8). He was very sweet and gentle and tried his hardest for me even though he didnt really love to compete and was happiest just mooching about the lanes. He was a bit of a wimp so could spook sideways pretty damn fast if he got scared and for some reason never got comfortable with bicycles coming towards him yet fine if they came from behind! Sadly I lost him very suddenly after he got kicked in the head by another horse and suffered a severally fractured skull.
Two years later enter Friesian number two. Again another gelding an a big boy. He had all the big lovely movement and a whole lot of attitude with it. He actually belonged to another livery who had bought him to compete. She was a capable rider and handler but had issues from day one with him. He could be bargy and a trouble maker if bored. He really enjoyed his work but needed more than she could give him alone so I ended up part sharing him. He was a damned clever beastie and could figure you out in just a few minutes. If he thought he could push you about thats what he would do. First time I led him he tried to push me over so I backed him up sharpish and growled at him "I will have none of that!", I swear he looked me up and down, nodded and I never had him try it again. He was very clever and picked things up easily and needed to be busy yet could be opinionated and if the same task was repeated once too often or asked for in a way that was not crystal clear, or he just couldnt be bothered, you got a very stubborn refusal to go anywhere and grumpy foot stamp. He was the sort of horse that when he went well for you was just so amazing but if he wasnt in the mood you would have a better chance winning the national on a goat! In the end his owner decided she just didnt click with the horse and offered him up for sale. I considered buying him as I quite liked his quirky nature (I'm a stubborn git myself) but a young lad came to try him and it was obviously love at first sight for the both of them. That ****** of a horse was all soppy and nuzzly with the chap and honestly rode like a Grad Prix champ for him so it was pretty clear they were meant for each other. They went on to compete nationally at a very high level and as far as I am aware are still together now. Friesians are very much the sort of horse who like to really bond with you so if you get one who chooses you as his partner, you will have an amazing horse who will make you feel like you can conquer the world. If you dont bond though, you could be in for a lot of frustration too.
My other horses have all been Arabs as I do endurance and a few Welshies ( I like their spark) a TB (blooming dangerous loonatic) and a WB(lovely and lively) before I finally have my soul mate in the form of my 15.2 Connie x Vanner. He is everything I could ever wish for, good looking, unbelievably good natured, brave as a lion and proving to be quite the little dressage star. So I would definately recommend Irish horses!
 
Holy crap sorry didnt intend that to be so long lol just wanted to give you a feel for the breed based on my experience lol!
 
Capriole said:
Well I for one wasn't saying they're all bad, at all. Not my cup of tea, no, but what I was saying was...is this a horse for a nervous novice first time owner? No, I don't think it is. Any more than the 5 year old Andalusians the OP was also asking about. Just because there's one at WEG makes no difference that I can see.
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If you'd read my earlier post, I actually don't recommend them for a first timer. I posted about the WEG friesian to hi light the fact that they can make really good dressage horses in the right hands.
 
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