Top Picks; The Friesian Horse - History

Featured left, Ester Liano riding Ielke 382 (Sorry could not locate photo credit)

You may be familiar with the Friesian breed, also referred to as "Belgian Blacks". Often times noted as those fairy-tale, black beauties. People are often awe-struck when they see a Friesian. With their long, thick, flowing manes and tails, they sure are eye-catching.

Lets explore some of the history of this breed and view some stallions throughout the world!

This illustrious breed began in the province of Friesland, Northern Netherlands. During the medieval times these black beauties were used to carry knights to battle. As the medieval time set to a close, the breed was less popular as the need for war horses was no longer such a priority. The demand was now for a lighter, more agile horse which would be suitable for driving in addition to farm work. To influence the Friesian breed, for this new demand, Andalusian blood was then introduced.

During the 18th and 19th Century, a popular sport emerged, that which is known as trotting races. A new sport for the Friesian to take part in. However this created some disturbance in eyes of the Friesian breeders. The horses were being bred to be lighter for this sport and thus drifting from the true characteristics of this elder breed. During the end of the 19th Century, efforts were made to return the Friesian to it's true form of what is considered the breed standard.

In 1879 the Studbook Society was founded for the Friesian. When first published in 1800, this studbook allowed for registry some Heavy Warmblood breeds to be added in addition to the Friesian. The Bovenlander (Friesian/Oldenburg) was one of these, which during the time was a rather trig breed. This caused the Friesian to almost become obsolete to the Bovenlander. Although the original studbook introduced the Bovenlander to enhance it's overall appeal to the Friesian horse, it at the same time, caused dwindling numbers (eventually down to only three remaining Friesian stallions) and almost extinction of the breed itself. In 1907 the studbook was renamed Friesch Paarden Stamboek (FPS) and joined both these breeds.

In 1915, this group convinced the FPS to separate the two groups once again. During 1943, the non-Friesian breeders left the FPS to form their own registry which was later to be named; Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland (Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN).

Today the modern Friesian is growing in popularity in the Dressage ring. Their dramatic, spring-like trot, swooping and dramatic canter, their evident and demanding presence as well as their curious, friendly and easy-going nature make them a desirable equine partner for both pleasure and sport.

Lets take a look at some examples of this breed!

Below we have a musical free-style, which is performed by Dressage rider Peter Spahn and Friesian Jasper 366.



Video Originally Uploaded by: JeverHart99 on YouTube.com


Photo Credit to: Guillot

Below we have Friesian stallion Wander 352. The video is of his 2003 Keuring (Judging). He is one of very few Friesians within the registry that have been bred in the United States.



Video Originally Uploaded by: JeverHart99 on YouTube.com

Resources: Wikipedia.com on the Friesian Horse.

More to come...