The Friesian horse
The Friesian or West Friesian, draft, and saddle horse, bred in the province of Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, has very ancient origins. He is said to be descended from the primitive forest horse of northern Europe and was therefore a cold-blooded horse. Already appreciated by the Romans as a workhorse, it was highly prized in the Middle Ages as a workhorse.
From the 15th and 16th centuries, it received contributions of Andalusian, Arab and Barb blood which modified its characteristics by lightening the type to make it, among other things, a good Trotter (Harddraver). Crossed with the Thoroughbred, it gives excellent competition horses. The Friesian has contributed to the development of many breeds including the Dales and Fell ponies, the Dole, Oldenburg, Shire, and Groningen horses.
Caractère et aptitudes du cheval
Endowed with a very kind character, he is calm and docile. Very robust, powerful, he is energetic and fast. His trot is fast, energetic, elevated with particularly high knee action.
Utilisations du cheval
Versatile, he is suitable for agricultural work, very popular in driving, excellent coachbuilder, brilliant trotter, high-class team horse, popular in the circus and under exhibition harness.
Morphologie du cheval
Head long, narrow, and fine. Straight profile. Abundant toupee. Short, pointed ears. Body compact, stocky, muscular, of mid-brevilinear type. Short, thick, arched neckline. Withers slightly out. Long, powerful, and sloping shoulders. Wide chest. Short, strong back. Large loins. Robust hindquarters, very powerful. Wide, round, short and oblique croup. Limbs short, solid, muscular. Good structure. Wide joints. Strong guns. Abundant baleen. Wide feet, very hard. Blue-black horn. Long, fluttering, very thick tail. Coat: always black, sometimes with a white mark on the head. Abundant, wavy mane. Height: about 1.50 m.
