To all you Friesian Owners...

Umm... bouncier!!

Mine at least, feels like she has springs in her feet, her trot isnt just BIG, its really powerful, you can feel the drive she has from her backend. The canter im still working on, i havent tried to get her to do a balanced dreassage-ey canter, but a normal canter on a hack is equally as comfortable as a TB, it feels like being on a rocking horse, but is more "up and down", although she possibly covers almost as much ground, its not quite as smooth as a TB.

Obviously they will all vary on how responsive and sensitive they are to ride. But, i've ridden two friesians, my own and a gorgeous gelding i had a "test drive" on years ago, and both have very comfortable paces, but its quite a shock the first time you trot them, i felt like i was being flung 5 foot out of the saddle! I have got used to it now though :D
 
Hi AM,

Still riding Horlicks, but only in my lessons, and when she hasn't lost a shoe (or got an abscess!! :( )
I'm not actually looking (although I hope it to change soon *starts praying*)

I just think they are such stunning horses, and you rarely see them about. I also read an post the other day about a girl who had a Friesian and was told by a showing judge it didn't belong on the show ground, but in front of a cart, which I thought was rather harsh!! Surely that means cobs belong in fields tethered to a post and TB's belong on the race track only!!

Sorry, but it made me wonder that if I was looking, I would consider one.
I understand with Andalusians etc, that they have to be "ridden differently", but wondered if its the same with Friesians?

I did get Horlicks offered to me to buy by the way (not sure if you knew?)... for £4500 - with no tack, white line disease, bad back and poor feet.
 
Mine is a lovely smooth comfortable ride, very very powerful, and a lot of horse! So I really have to make sure he is well schooled as its a lot of muscle and power to deal with!
 
Hi AM,

I just think they are such stunning horses, and you rarely see them about. I also read an post the other day about a girl who had a Friesian and was told by a showing judge it didn't belong on the show ground, but in front of a cart, which I thought was rather harsh!! Surely that means cobs belong in fields tethered to a post and TB's belong on the race track only!!

The judge would most likely have said that as in the showing world above local level there is very little a fresian can do/be entered in other than carriage driving etc there are some foreign breed classes although not many.
So its highly unlikely the judge was condemming fresians as a breed just from a showing point of view there is very little for them to do on a show ground :)
 
The judge would most likely have said that as in the showing world above local level there is very little a fresian can do/be entered in other than carriage driving etc there are some foreign breed classes although not many.
So its highly unlikely the judge was condemming fresians as a breed just from a showing point of view there is very little for them to do on a show ground :)

Its a bit harsh to say they belong infront of a cart though!!

I do believe, if my googling is to be trusted, that friesians as a breed were originally developed to be used as war horses. Now, im not much into driving, but a mass HHO friesian meet with all of us in our best war armour might be a fun spectacle! :D
 
Hey. I have just bought a Friesian and he is the cleverest horse I have come across yet.

Freshian can be used for dressage at high level showing, not so much in this country though. Mine likes a good jumping session and he can keep going on a fast ride out for about 2 - 3 hours. Like humans, they just might like carriage pulling or dressage. Just because a breed is bred for a specific area doesnt mean that they are going to be good or enjoy it!!

To Ride Denzil is strong, very strong and it took alot for me to take the harsh bit he came with out and replace with a rubber snaffle. They have sensitive mouths too. He is extremely sensitive to my riding posture and at a collected canter the most comfy thing to be on!! His trot is not only powerful and fast it is awesome to watch!!

:o)
 
I have a friesian cross who is without doubt the most honest, genuine little trier I have met who would do anything to please you. (Can you tell I'm totally smitten?) My aunt has had two full-breds and both have been lovely, massive trots, very soft and light and unbelievably easy to train/do. In fact, IME they are more human than horse :D

Maybe see if there's a breeder nearby?
 
If you're ever over this way you'd be welcome to have a go on mine. She's only recently broken so not schooled nicely or anything but all the buttons work and she is perfectly behaved :D
 
Umm... bouncier!!

Mine at least, feels like she has springs in her feet, her trot isnt just BIG, its really powerful, you can feel the drive she has from her backend. The canter im still working on, i havent tried to get her to do a balanced dreassage-ey canter, but a normal canter on a hack is equally as comfortable as a TB, it feels like being on a rocking horse, but is more "up and down", although she possibly covers almost as much ground, its not quite as smooth as a TB.

Obviously they will all vary on how responsive and sensitive they are to ride. But, i've ridden two friesians, my own and a gorgeous gelding i had a "test drive" on years ago, and both have very comfortable paces, but its quite a shock the first time you trot them, i felt like i was being flung 5 foot out of the saddle! I have got used to it now though :D

Completly agree with this. Even when my boy decides to do his "i'm excited walk" you almost feel you need to rise to it, lol!

The trot is extremly bouncy and catapults you. As for sitting trot, well, it takes a while to learn but it's good practise for getting a better seat. When you are used to it though ever other horses gait seems easy.

Canter is not brilliant for us either, they do struggle a bit, bless them but we have all the different trot work established. Lol!

If I were you I would try and find one locally you could test drive so if you think you could get used to it.

I personally love the friesian breed, they all have such wonderful personalities and when the time comes to buy another horse I will be looking at yet another friesian.

As for the judges remark, how rude. In contrast I have qualified for some reasonably big showing finals and I am only an amatuer that competes for a bit of a laugh. I guess its opinion. Plus the more modern friesians arent built like the thicker set old fashioned cart-horse types (I actually prefer the cart horse type but thats me).
 
In fact, IME they are more human than horse :D

Maybe see if there's a breeder nearby?

Complelty agree with this. Mine has just got over his sulk because I went on holiday for a week. They have real charcters. Very clever and everyone I have met adores human attention.

Would kindly lend you the use of mine too but I am further down the country than Una but if u are ever passing through Devon your welcome.
 
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