FRIESIANS

BREED HISTORY
The Friesian breed, one of the oldest in Europe, is indigenous to what is now the Netherlands. Today the breed is mainly limited to the province of Friesland, where it is bred in the so-called meadow districts and in sandy soil areas. Friesians have historically been popular as an all around horse for riding, farming and harness work. In the past Friesians were used in warfare, by medieval knights, and by seventeenth-century cavalry leaders, many of whom were painted riding these handsome black horses by the great Dutch artists of the period. Friesians are recognized by their black coat, though color alone is not their only distinguishing characteristic. Friesians also have a long, thick mane and tail, and "feathers"--long, silky hair on the lower legs, deliberately left untrimmed. The official breed rarely has white markings of any kind; most registries allow only a small star on the forehead for purebred registration. Though extremely rare, and not accepted for registration in most cases, Friesians are occasionally chestnut.

CHARACTERISTICS
Height: Friesian average height is 15.3 hands (63 inches or 1.60 m), although it may vary from 14.2 to 17 hands (between 58 in./1.5 m and 68 in./1.7 m) tall at the withers, and mares or geldings must be at least 15.2 hands (1.57 m) tall to qualify for a special 'star-designation' pedigree.

Color: The color is always black, though a small star is occasionally found.

Body type: Baroque and Sport Horse
Baroque (long arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared, "Spanish type" heads). They have compact, muscular bodies with strong sloping hindquarters and a low-set tail. Their limbs are comparatively short and strong. To be accepted as breeding stock in the FPS studbook, a stallion must pass a rigorous approval process

Sport: Today the sport horse has become very popular in dressage and the show arena. This body type is finer-boned.
Friesians are known for their excellent trot, elegant/regal presence, and color. Conformation type is judged less important than correct movement. 

Confirmation: Friesians are distinguished from other breeds by their finely chiseled, longish head with small ears and a shapely neck. Friesians have an exceptionally long mane. The back is strong and the ribs deep. The hindquarters are well-rounded. The tail, which, like the mane, carries much hair, is set low. The legs have good bone and are heavily covered with hair, sometimes up to the knee joint.

DISCIPLINES
Friesian horses are popular in both Europe and the United States, and are often used today for Dressage competition, pleasure riding, and carriage driving. Friesian horses have performed well in dressage competitions because of the breed's movement, trainability, appearance, power, and body control.

FRIESIAN REGISTRY
Friesch Paarden Stamboek/ Koninklijk Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS) - founded in 1879 by a group of Dutch farmers dedicated to preserving the breed. KFPS is the oldest and largest studbook and has about 12,000 members living in the Netherlands and abroad. At this time there are about 40,000 Friesian horses registered. Its North American representative Friesian Horse Association of North America FHANA (est. 1984) is not a studbook but acts as a conduit in North America to KFPS.

Separate registers are kept for fillies, colts, mares, stallions and geldings .

Every purebred Friesian will be registered, but only horses that meet specific rigid rules are recorded in the main studbook. The studbook registers Friesians worldwide.

Freisian Breeding Society
Nederlandsche Hippische Sportbond
Waalsdorperlaan, 29a
(Postbus 117)
Wassenaar (Post den Haag)

Fresian Horse Studbook
Postlaan 1a
9204 WT Drachten
The Netherlands
Tel:  +31 5120 23888 
Fax: +31 5120 32146

Friesian Horse Assiciation of North America
Friesian Horse Association of North America
P.O. Box 11217
Lexington, KY 40574
USA