The Friesian Horse is one of the oldest Northern European breeds in the world. The Friesian horse was in danger in the mid 1900s of becoming extinct. Luckily, the Koninklijke Vereniging "Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek" (KFPS) saved the breed. According to the KFPS (2015):

The KFPS is the oldest studbook in the Netherlands and promotes the interests of the Friesian horse in the broadest sense of the word. The KFPS has been realizing this by the meticulous registration of Friesian horses since the time it was founded in 1879. In addition, the KFPS has established a breeding program to maintain and further refine the unique characteristics of the Friesian horse.

The KFPS Friesian Horse is the most beautiful, versatile, athletic, kind, and willing horse that is able to do anything when trained properly. Many people ask if Friesians can jump. Yes they can jump, though like other breeds some are better at it than others. The Friesian is a fantasy horse as seen in many movies, such as Conan the Barbarian, Eragon, The Mask of Zorro, Alexander, The Chronicles of Narnia, Clash of the Titans and The Hunger Games. With its solid black color, symbolic of power, its strong hind quarters, coupled with its luxurious hair, the Friesian is a Fairy Tale horse. For more information please visit: www.kfps.nl

History of the Friesian Horse

According to the Friesian Horse Society (2015), the Friesian horse, native only to the Netherlands, historically dates back to the 13th century. Again, the word cavallo means horse and the cavallieri was the calvary in ancient times. The Friesian was used during the Christian era to carry knights into battle and English writer Anthony Dent penned much about how the Friesian horse was omnipresent during the battle of Carlisle during the 4th century and noted how the Friesian horse originates from Shires and Fell ponies.

According to the Koninklijke Vereniging (2015), in the 11th century, it is very probable that the Friesian breed was crossed with Arabian and Andalusian horses in addition to having Shire and Fell pony blood. German Elector Johann Friedrich von Sachsen came to the Reichstag in Spiers riding a Friesian stallion and thus, the the first written evidence of use of the name “Friesian horse” was recorded on an announcement in 1544. Three years later, Emperor Charles V recognized the valiant steed von Sachsen as he rode into the Battle of Muhlberg. Further, in 1568, Phryso, a stallion that belonged to Don Juan of Napels, Austria was well known during this time, which led into the 17th century where the Friesian horse was well represented throughout the various haut école of equitation riding schools.

However, "the use of the Friesian horse, however, became increasingly limited to the current Dutch province of Friesland over the 18th and 19th centuries" because the Friesian was reserved only for the rich and became symbolic of wealth, which it still is largely today (Koninklijke Vereniging, 2015). During this period, the wealthy used this majestic breed to pull carriages that took them to church and for racing short-trot races like what is seen in American trotters today.

The Friesian breed nearly died at the end of the 19th and the start of the 20th century because farmers stopped using them exclusively and began crossing them with heavier drafts. Friesians were considered show horses and with the cross breeding, the Friesian population dwindled rapidly. According to the Koninklijke Vereniging (2015), there were only three Friesian stallions left in 1913, but fortunately people in Friesland wanted to save the native Friesian horse breed and restore it from near extinction by buying the remaining quality purebred colts towards establishing a breeding program for them going forward. One of the most prominent stables involved in this effort was the Royal Stables in Borculo and another was the De Oorsprong breeding farm, which had been established by the family Van Eysinga at Huis ter Heide in 1885. 

According to the Koninklijke Vereniging (2015), after this time the Friesian became a bit smaller and heavier horse again or what is known as the old style. Friesians were not longer kept as pleasure horses and in 1965, only approximately 500 mares were registered in the Koninklijke Vereniging studbook. The Friesian began participating in many types of driving and riding horse shows and since then the breed has been restored. While the majority still reside in the Netherlands, more than 40,000 horses were registered by the Koninklijke Vereniging "Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek" (KFPS) as of 2007 and approximately 7,000 breedings are now documented every year. The results of this effort have proved meaningful and extensions of the Koninklijke Vereniging have been born.

According to Koninklijke Vereniging (2015), today there are three modern bloodlines: Tetman 205, Age 168, and Ritske 202 of which all modern Friesians trace back to. Each of these sires trace their blood to Paulus 121, who was born in 1913 and entered into the Studbook in 1916 and can be traced back three generations to the original 19th century Studbook foundation sire, Nemo 51, born in 1885.   

A Versatile Breed 

Today the modern Friesian is used primarily for riding and driving and has moved away from the conformation of yesteryear where the chest was wider than the hind quarters, which boded well for strapping on a harness. Friesian breeders, while it seems like many, are still few compared to other breeds. Friesians are still considered exotic, rare, and are extremely expensive. Friesians have been enormously successful in both the dressage and driving arenas respectively. Friesians are bred today to have a more uphill build with long forelegs than in previous times as a functional key component.

Additionally, pursuant to versatility, Cavalleria focuses on Friesians as foxhunters, so the lighter, more agile breed standard is desirable here. Friesians typically move with power, yet grace, and their hindquarters exude what is necessary to give them high knee action ensuring a comfortable ride. Still today the Friesian horse is called the "Black Pearl" known for its majestic mane, tail, feathering of the lower legs, and jet black color. The Friesian while versatile, is also a noble breed, an eye catcher and one that constantly is regarded and one of the most beautiful horses in the world. The movement of the Friesian is harmonious with the rider and the headset is held regally and high. Friesians are typically very amicable in character and is competitive against other breeds in a variety of equestrian sports. 

There are people who might argue that Friesians cannot foxhunt. Cavalleria has proved that they can, they do, and they will...and are phenomenal at it.

References:

Koninklijke Vereniging. (2015). The Friesian Horse history. Retrieved from http://english.kfps.nl/HetFriesePaard/Hetfrieschepaard/Historievanpaard.aspx

The Friesian Horse Society. (2015). History of the Friesian Horse. Retrieved from http://www.friesianhorsesociety.com/Friesian_history.html

Friesian Links & Info:

Learning about horses and dogs is a lifelong journey. Below are some helpful Friesian links.

• The Friesian Horse Association of American (FHANA)

• The KFPS

• Approved Friesian Stallions

• International Friesian Horse Show Association

• Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses

• United States Dressage Federation

• The United States Equestrian Federation

• FHANA Articles about Friesians, Newsletters, etc.

• FHANA Webinars about Friesians