looking for a Friesian

[inou]

Hi
I am looking for advice please. I am now in a position to buy a horse and looking up for a Friesian horse as I always wanted one, one day...
I am 39y old. My background is horse riding was reasonable about 20 years ago, but I haven't ridden for about 15 years now and am looking for a friendly horse who can happily hack in country lanes/roads. Concerning dressage, I may give a go later but need to get some confidence back first - I have read problems about inbreeding causing genetic defects and behavioural issues. I would like opinion about people having experience with these horses and what to ask for when looking for one, also where best to buy one from. I have seen some for sale on various websites at different price tags and would like some help with decision making. Thanks in advance.

 

[romulus]

What advice are you actually looking for? If you want a been there done it all English trained then you are better looking for one that has been here for a number of years. Most of those coming in from mainland Europe are softly ridden in a ménage rather than hacked out so are not used to picking their way through tracks etc or coping with traffic going past them If you decide to have lessons hen choose someone who is experienced with Iberians as they do not always respond to the general training methods taught by many in this country. If you want advice and contacts for one to ome in from abroad then I suggest you contact Jackie Cockett at www.freisansforsale.co.uk
Freisan's have the same issues of inbreeding as all other breeds suffering from some breeders who do not take the time and effort to look at breed lines and mate accordingly. They are exceptionally affectionate and trainable although do sometimes suffer from impatience. Remember to that they are breed to be a carriage horse so the trot is not always as smooth and fluid as the warm bloods and tbs. if you are looking for more of a longer softer trot then it may be worth you looking at the Barockpintos, although there are not many in this country yet.
Feel free to pm me if I can help any more.

 

[Shady]

not sure if this will help you but i live in France and i was very interested in Friesans myself and these people were recommended to contact, they are called Frisons here , Frisonnes if female and this is an amazing website to look at , they sell them too, expensive but they look fantastic, you can google a translation into English...... Frisonline.fr
they are hard to find below 15.3 16 hands , think the minimum is 15 hands but i might be wrong , have you ever ridden one coz they are a stomper of a horse and sometimes difficult to saddle fit due to the short back and high neck, i can however totally understand you wanting one but have you looked at the Arabx Frison , they are unreal . best of luck to you in your search

 

[Pigeon]

I agree, ride one before you start looking seriously, they're unusual to ride and may be a bit of a shock for your first horse in a while

 

[Midlifecrisis]

My mare is a Friesian bred and trained in the UK so her natural high action has been attenuated by long and low training. You must ride some Friesians before looking to buy because their natural high head carriage takes some getting used to as does the powerful transitions and action when moving...sitting trot takes a lot of absorption. My mare is fabulous - tries anything is willing curious and brave. Imported horses may develop sweetitch and there are baroque types and sporty longer legged ones. PM me if you want more info cos I could go on for ever!

 

[ihatework]

I think they are a great breed, but I would be cautious to suggest one for someone coming back into horses, in my mind they aren't for novices.

 

[Moggy]

I'd also look into the report published on the greater incidence of colic in Friesians. ... having lost mine at 9 I'd never have another much as I love them

 

[madlady]

I've owned friesians for over 10 years now and we have bred 4 of our own.

In general I find them very willing and trainable - yes the trot takes a bit of getting used to but is not impossible to ride. Friesians are great space invaders and will literally climb all over you for attention if you let them, some can also lack spacial awareness and be a bit bargy if allowed to be! I don't think now that I could ever have anything but friesians and the ones that I have all have very different personalitites. Dandea (my big girl) is very friendly with me and has never even pulled a face but can be a totally different kettle of fish with strangers, Freyja (her daughter) just loves people but is very 'in your face' and does need reminding of ground rules, Daegan (gelding but was entires) is one of the most gentle horses I have ever met and is very very polite.

None of mine have a high inbreeding coefficient (all papered friesians have the inbreeding percentage on their papers) and I've never had any problems with colic or sweetich.

I don't find them to be the most forward going naturally - my mare is now forward going but that's after years of working on it , she will go anywhere though and I know I can set off on my own for a good few hours hack without worrying about anything - that didn't happen overnight though, I backed her myself and spent 4 years getting her to the stage she is at now.

If you don't mind travelling then I've heard very good reports about Friesians Scotland (sorry I don't have any contact details for them but if you join the friesian friends/fans group on FB someone will help) my understanding is that they have a range that you can go and see and try.

Good luck with your search