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The Friesian, classified a "warmblood," is a northern horse native to the province of Friesland in The Netherlands. Horses have been in Friesland for over 2,000 years and some of these early horses were the ancestors of Friesians. This horse, the precursor to the modern Friesian horse, was used as a work horse on the farms and as war horses for the knights in armor.. Sometime around the 15th and 16th century, Arabian and Andalusian blood was introduced into the native bloodlines to lighten the breed. By the 1960's, the Friesian horse neared extinction in Friesland with 3 stallions and a total of only 500 horses remaining. Dedicated breeders rallied to save the breed.
Friesians were imported to North America as early as the 17th century. Unfortunately, the breed was not kept pure and was eventually lost to us by crossbreeding. The Friesian breed returned to North America in 1974 where its numbers have been increasing ever since.
Two types of Friesians, the "baroque" or heavy type and the "dressage" or lighter type are prevalent today with the "dressage" type more generally preferred. Friesian racial type is demonstrated by the black color, feathers (long, luxurious fetlock hair), heavy manes, forelocks and tails, high knee action and extension at the trot. In exhibitions they are unmistakable with their glossy black coats, flying manes and tails, bouncing feathers and showy action.
For more detailed information, see our "About Friesians" page.
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To be registered in the official studbook of the Friesian horse, a Friesian horse must be black (depending upon the age of the horse and the season of the year, black may range from dark brown, black-bay or a true ebony.) The only white marking permitted on registered horses is a small star on the forehead. A chestnut recessive gene exists in some bloodlines which appears rarely when two individuals, each carrying the recessive gene, are mated. The resulting chestnut, which is ineligible for registration, is called a "Fox Friesian" because of the fox-like red coat color.
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The easiest way to see a Friesian is to rent a video! Many of us fell in love with Friesians at first sight in the 1984 film, LadyHawke starring Rutger Hauer, Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer. Who can forget the magnificent Goliath (A/K/A Othello) charging across the green hills and snowfields in the film? Then there is Zorro's proud black stallion, Tornado (A/K/A Case), in The Mask of Zorro. A Friesian also figures prominently in Disney's Tall Tales with Patrick Swayze. In the March 2001 issue of Vogue magazine a Friesian is one of the models in a splashy spread shot with an equine background, "The Power of Fashion," pp.438-461.
For a closer encounter, Friesians can be found in Stallion Avenues and Exhibitions in the large national all-breed shows, such as Louisville's Equitana USA, Columbus Ohio's Equine Affaire, and Maryland's World Horse Expo. The capstone of Friesian affairs is the annual Friesian Extravaganza with stallion showings, dramatic driving and riding exhibitions and a "Rodeo Drive" of retailers selling tack and horse-related merchandise.
Friesian farms and breeders are usually eager to show their horses to current Friesian owners or non-Friesian owners dreaming of their first Friesian. Check our member/breeder list for farms close to you to make an appointment to see their horses.
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| There are few books or magazines in English about Friesians, but here are some which may be of interest: |
| Books |
| Bouma, G. J. A. The Friesian Horse (Het Friese Paard). 1979. Updated 1988. Considered the definitive work on the Friesian horse. In Dutch with an 8-page summary in English. Check with FPS or FHANA for availability. |
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Micek, Tomas. Friesian Horses. Sunburst Books, London. 1994. |
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Beeman, Laura. The Friesian Horse. 2000. A 53-page guide for the Friesian lover who hopes to become a Friesian owner. |
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Vavra, Robert. Horses of the Sun; A Gallery of the World's Most Exquisite Equines. William Morrow and Company, Inc., New York. 1994. End papers, pp 152-161 and pp 246-247 feature FPS-approved stallion, Frans. |
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Mare Lines of the Friesian Horse (Mare Book) and Friesian Studbook Stallions with periodic Installments (Stallion Books). Available from FHANA. |
| Magazines and Newsletters |
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The Friesian. A quarterly publication of FHANA with membership. |
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Phryso International. A quarterly magazine published by FPS in German, English and French available by subscription. |
| Videos |
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His Majesty The Friesian. Part I, II and III. Videos describing the three founding stallion lines of the breed from inception through 1999. Available from FHANA and The Feathered Horse. |
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In the World of the Friesians. TV-Produktion. Thomas Vogel. 1993. Comprehensive video of the breeding and uses of Friesians. 46 minutes. Available from The Feathered Horse. |
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Symphony of the Friesian Horse. TV-Produktion, Thomas Vogel. 2000. The combination of classic Friesian images set to the music of Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F-Major. 28 minutes. Available from The Feathered Horse. |
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Friesian Horse Extravaganza I. Northwest Friesian Horse Club. 1996. Available from the Northwest Chapter. |
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Friesian Horse Extravaganza II. Friesian Horse Club of Southern California. 1997. Available from the Southern California Chapter. |
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Friesian Extravaganza 2000. Friesian Club of Southern California. 2000. Available from the Southern California Chapter. |
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Friesian horses are recognized as the best driving horses in the world whether for pleasure, competition, exhibition or work. Versatile athletes, they also excel under saddle. Because of their high intelligence, gentle nature, trainability and willingness to work, they excel in dressage. They are also dependable and comfortable for pleasure rides and on the trail. Friesians are also highly esteemed for circus work and much sought as animal stars in the movies.
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Like all horses, Friesian prices vary according to age, sex, quality, amount of training, show record, etc. Prices can range from about $8,000 for a non-"ster" weanling up to $35,000 for a "ster" mare who is a proven producer. Approved stallions, due to their rarity, frequently carry six-figure price tags. The Friesian prices reflect the relative rarity of the breed. There are fewer than 3,000 Friesians in the US and only 30,000 worldwide (as reported by FPS).
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FPS (Friesch Paarden Stamboek) of the Netherlands is the parent studbook and registry for all Friesians. The registry was founded in 1879 and has strict requirements and rigorous evaluations to maintain the quality of the breeding stock. Other organizations exist which register Friesian horses. Horses in these registries may or may not have met the high registration standards of FPS. If they have not, these horses will be ineligible for entry into the official studbook of the FPS.
FPS holds two major events in The Netherlands each year. The important and heavily-attended Stallion Inspection is in January. The Central Mare Inspection is held each October. For more information on this organization, visit their website at www.fps-studbook.com
FHANA (The Friesian Horse Association of North America) is the sole North American representative of FPS. It works closely with FPS to maintain the high standards set by the Dutch registry. A horse who is not in the FPS studbook will not be recognized by FHANA. For membership and additional information, go to www.fhana.com
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"Keuring" is the Dutch word for "judging" or "evaluation" of Friesian horses in North America by FPS judges from The Netherlands. The Dutch officials come to North America in teams once a year to evaluate the horses gathered in a central location throughout the various regions. Friesian horses are generally presented to FPS representatives at least twice in their lives.
The first time, as foals, they are evaluated for entry into the Foal Book. At this time the foal is micro-chipped and a hair sample is pulled as a DNA record. If it has correct conformation and quality of movement, a foal may be awarded a "premie" or prize. A few foals will not be awarded a premie at all; most will be awarded third premie, with a few of the best selected for first and second premies.
A Friesian horse is judged again when it is 3 years or older for entry into the studbook. Judging is done by grading each horse on a linear scoring form positive or negative from the Friesian breed standard for conformation, movement, color and type. The horse is first presented standing square and judged for conformation and type. When judged for movement, it is shown in hand at a walk and animated trot around a regulation-size triangle. If the scores of the horse are sufficient, it is entered into the adult studbook.
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Friesian horses are judged at 3 years or older for entry into the FPS Studbooks (Stamboek) for Mares, Stallions and Geldings. Horses with serious conformation faults, unsoundness, insufficient height, unacceptable body color or white markings are not accepted for registration into the FPS Studbooks and remain in the Foal Book as adults. Offspring from mares entered into the studbook will have the word "stamboek" or the abbreviation "stb" after their names. The offspring are eligible for registration if the foal is sired by an FPS-approved breeding stallion. Friesian mares may not be crossbred with any other breed.
All horses entered into the studbooks are automatically judged for Ster (Star) status. A studbook candidate must be at least 15.1 hands. Judging is 40% on conformation and type and 60% on movement.
A ster horse is "above average" and only about 25% of registered studbook Friesians attain "ster."
"Ster" mares may be judged for "Provisional Model." The mare must be 7 years old or older, at least 15.2 1/4 hands in height, have produced a live foal, and possess ideal Friesian conformation, racial type and movement. A "Provisional Model" mare must pass a performance test under saddle or harness with sufficient points to attain the designation "Model." Only about 5% of studbook mares attain "Model" or "ideal" Friesian mare.
Mares registered in the FPS Studbook can attain the status "Preferent" if they have produced at least 4 offspring which have been judged "ster" or "model" mare, "ster" gelding, "studbook stallion with breeding privileges or a stallion being qualified for consideration for the Central Stallion Proving. This status can be awarded to living or deceased mares.
"Prestatie" or Performance Mother is awarded to Studbook mares if 3 or more of her offspring attain high levels of achievement under saddle or harness as defined by FPS.
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Stallions 3 years or older, which are registered in the Foal Book, can be presented as candidates for the Central Proving for Studbook Stallions. They must meet the normal requirements for movement, conformation, and color for entry into the Studbook and be at least 15.2 1/4 hands at age 3 and 15.3 hands at 4 years. There are strict requirements for their female ancestors who must be "ster" or "ster"-quality for at least 3 unbroken generations, have good dispositions, be fertile producers of high-quality offspring who do well in performance events (preferent mares). X-rays, semen analysis and blood typing are also part of the pre-evaluation.
If the candidate meets all of the requirements for presentation at the Central Stallion Proving, a video of the stallion is viewed by FPS in The Netherlands. If he passes this review, the stallion will be invited to the Central Stallion Proving held at a North American horse facility under the auspices of an experienced trainer selected by FHANA. For a minimum of three weeks, the stallion is examined at the 3 gaits (walk, trot and canter), trained and judged for performance under saddle, as a driving horse pulling a show carriage and as a work horse pulling a sledge. He is also evaluated for manners during training, in the stable, and for overall character and disposition.
The stallions which pass the Central Stallion Proving are given Friesian names, entered into the Studbook and given provisional breeding approval. A percentage of the stallion's offspring are evaluated when the offspring are 3 years old. The offspring must be of sufficient quality or the stallion will no longer be granted breeding privileges. Five years later, a second major offspring judging occurs wherein the conformation and performance ability of the offspring and the stallion's own performance are evaluated. If this judging is successful, the stallion will maintain his breeding privilege. All approved breeding stallions are re-judged annually. Their offspring are also judged at the regional "keurings" and the linear score cards used to evaluate the stallion's offspring. If the quality of the offspring continues, the stallion remains an approved stallion. His breeding privilege can be withdrawn at any time if the quality of his offspring declines or hereditary faults are discovered. Crossbreeding Friesian stallions is prohibited.
(This is a synopsis of the approved stallion status and, as such, may be incomplete. Refer to FHANA Rules and Regulations for complete information on this important subject).
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Friesian horses are frequently imported from The Netherlands or other countries. The cost of importation, which includes airfare and quarantine after arrival, is currently about $7,500. When considering a horse for importation, be certain to ask if the price includes the importation cost.
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As a member of mafa, you will enjoy all the benefits of a tightly knit Friesian horse lover's community.
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