THE FRIESIAN HORSE, cont. Throughout history, the Friesian has been prized for its strength, versatility, disposition and elegance. Boasting a fine, balanced structure, the breed has both conformation and ability on its side and has been utilised in a number of ways over its development. Popular as a war mount, carriage horse and light draught animal, the Friesian has never been short of work. Because of its favourable attributes, the Friesian has featured in many motion pictures, starring as the glorified and dependable steed in The Mask of Zorro, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hunger Games, to name a mere few. The Friesian of today is best observed in driving and competition capacities, and is also a favorable leisure horse for everyday riding. Usually black in color, the equine possesses a thick, flowing mane and tail, well conformed legs, and a strong, defined head.

FRIESIAN FACTS • By 1913, there were only 3 remaining Friesian stallions in their home province of Friesland. However, the breed was revived in World War 2 when fuel shortages once again deemed it necessary to return to horse power. • Being one of the oldest breeds, Friesians had an influence on several new breeds that developed. The Oldenburg, Shire horse, and smaller ponies such as Fell and Dales ponies all inherited some Friesian lines in their early development. • Many people know of Friesians due to the movie Ladyhawke from 1985, which featured a Friesian stallion named Othello. They have also been seen in the movies Eragon, and 300. • In English, the breed was often spelt as “Frisian” so as to differentiate between the horse breed and the Holstein Friesian cattle. However, breed books and registries spell both the horse and cattle name as Friesian with the “e” included in the name. • While Friesians are most commonly known to be pure black in color, in some rare cases, you may find chestnut Friesians. Chestnut is not a favored color for the official Friesian studbook however, so chestnut stallions are not allowed to be registered. • An elegant carriage made just for the Friesian horse was designed in the 18th century (1701-1800) in the province of Friesland. This carriage was called the Friesian Sjees, and was specifically intended to be pulled by Friesian horses. • Although Friesians are one of the oldest breeds, they aren’t extremely common in most parts of the world. • Pure black is typically preferred for the Friesian breed, so most Friesian registries do not allow horses with excessive white markings to be registered. The only marking allowed for registered Friesians is a small white star on the forehead.

JOIN A FRIESIAN HORSE CLUB! Michigan Friesian Horse Club

Ohio Valley Friesian Horse Association

Find them on Facebook

Online at:

FEATHERS

The Friesian has a long, thick mane and tail, often wavy, and long, silky hair (feathers) on the lower legs – deliberately left untrimmed.

The Friesian originated from Friesland in the Netherlands (Holland) Friesland

Eise 489 KFPS 2016 Horse Of The Year Eise is pulling the elegant carriage named the Friesian sjees designed specifically for Friesian horses. Photo compliments of: www.friesianhorseclub.com

ovfha.com

JULY 2019 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2019

HORSE

(53)

WWW.SADDLEUPMAG.COM