View source for Friesian horse

{{short description|Horse breed}}
{{distinguish|Cheval de frise}}
{{Other uses|Frisian (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2015}}

{{Infobox horse breed
| name            = Friesian horse
| image           = Friesian Horse Side View 3.jpg
| image2          = In Fryske sjees.jpg
| features        = Black, well muscled, thick mane and tail, feather on lower legs, and high action
| colour          = Black
| height          = {{hands|15|to|16}}
| nickname=
| country         = Netherlands
| group1          = Friesian Horse Association of North America 
| std1            = http://www.fhana.com
| note= 
|}}

The '''Friesian''' ({{lang|nl|Fries paard}} in Dutch; {{lang|fy|Frysk hynder}} in West Frisian) is a [[horse breed]] originating in [[Friesland]] in north Netherlands. The breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion. It is classified as a light [[draught horse]], and the modern day Friesian horse is used for riding and [[driving (horse)|driving]]. The Friesian horse is most known for its [[Black horse|all-black coat colour]], its long flowing mane and tail, [[feathering (horse)|feathering]] on its legs, a high head carriage, and high stepping action.

== Breed characteristics ==

[[File:Friesian6.jpg|thumb|The head]]
[[File:Friese.jpg|thumb|A Friesian being shown in-hand]]
The Friesian is [[Black horse|black]] with no [[white markings]], stands on average {{hands|15|to|16|lk=off}} at the [[withers]], and weighs 1,250-1,450 pounds. The breed is compact and muscular with {{Glossary link|glossary=Glossary of equestrian terms|bone|good bone}}. Friesians have long arched necks, small ears, and straight long heads. They have sloping shoulders, sloping hindquarters, and a low-set tail. Limbs are short and strong, with [[Feathering (horse)|feathering]]—long hair on the lower legs. A Friesian horse also has a thick mane and tail. The breed is known for a brisk, high-stepping [[trot]]. The Friesian is considered willing, active, and energetic, but also gentle and docile.{{r|porter2016|edwards|ausnz}}{{r|hendricks|p=197}}

=== Colour variations ===
Though Friesian horses have for decades been characteristically black, starting in 1991 the occasional [[chestnut (horse color)|chestnut]] foal was born. {{lang|nl|Friesch Paarden Stamboek}} (FPS) began to breed out the chestnut colour by requiring stallions to undergo [[genetic testing]] and denying registration of those that carry the chestnut genes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The "Chestnut Gene" |first=William |last=Page |date=August 1998 <!--|work=The Friesian--> |website=FHANA |url=https://fhana.com/app/uploads/2020/07/The-Chestnut-Gene-August-1998.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=The More Detailed Look At the Chestnut Factor |first=R.H.J.J. |last=Geurts |journal=The International Phryso |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=April 2000 |url=https://fhana.com/app/uploads/2020/07/The-More-Detailed-Look-at-the-Chestnut-Factor-JulyAugust-2003.pdf}}</ref>{{r|porter2016}} The former American Friesian Association, which closed its business in 2015 and was not affiliated with the FPS, allowed horses with white markings and chestnut colouration to be registered if purebred parentage could be proven.<ref>{{Multiref |1={{cite web|title=Registration Rules & Regulations|url=http://www.americanfriesianassociation.com/rules__regulations.htm|website=American Friesian Association|access-date=December 18, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218025523/http://www.americanfriesianassociation.com/rules__regulations.htm |archive-date=December 18, 2014}} |2={{Cite web |title=American Friesian Association goes out of business |website=Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse International |date=2015 |url=http://www.friesianheritage.com/American%20Friesian%20Association-AFA.htm}} |3={{Cite web |date=September 7, 2015 |url=http://www.americanfriesianassociation.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014234930/http://www.americanfriesianassociation.com/ |archive-date=October 14, 2015 |website=American Friesian Association |title=Letter to AFA members}} }}</ref>

=== Genetic disorders ===

There are four genetic disorders acknowledged by the industry that may affect horses of Friesian breeding: [[dwarfism]], [[hydrocephalus]], a tendency for [[aortic rupture]], and [[megaesophagus]]. There are genetic tests for the first two conditions. The Friesian is also among several breeds that may develop [[equine polysaccharide storage myopathy]].<ref name="FHANA Health">{{cite web|title=Horse Health|url=http://www.fhana.com/horsehealth/|website=Friesian Horse Association of North America|access-date=December 18, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218030132/http://www.fhana.com/horsehealth/|archive-date=December 18, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>  Approximately 0.25% of Friesians are affected by dwarfism, which results in horses with a normal-sized head, a broader chest than normal, an abnormally long back and very short limbs. It is a recessive condition.<ref name="Back">{{cite book|last1=Back|first1=Willem|last2=Clayton|first2=Hilary M.|title=Equine Locomotion|date=2013|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9780702052934|pages=257-259 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dLKFXgYpdqsC&pg=PT257|access-date=15 July 2016}}</ref> Additionally, the breed has a higher-than-usual rate of digestive system disorders, and a greater tendency to have insect bite hypersensitivity.<ref name=Boerma/> Like other feathered draught breeds, they are prone to a skin condition called [[Mud fever|verrucous pastern dermatopathy]] and may be generally prone to having a compromised immune system.<ref name=Marcella/>  Friesian mares have a very high 54% rate of retained placenta after foaling.<!--cited to Boerma--> Some normal-sized Friesians also have a propensity toward tendon and ligament laxity which may or may not be associated with dwarfism. The relatively small [[gene pool]] and [[inbreeding]] are thought to be factors behind most of these disorders.<ref name=Boerma>{{cite journal|last1=Boerma|first1=S.|last2=Back|first2=W.|last3=Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan|first3=M. M.|title=The Friesian horse breed: A clinical challenge to the equine veterinarian?|url=http://www.fenwayfoundation.com/pdf/Boerma%20et%20al.%20EVE%202012.pdf|journal=Equine Veterinary Education|access-date=December 18, 2014|pages=66–71|doi=10.1111/j.2042-3292.2011.00302.x|date=February 2012|volume=24|issue=2|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111092038/https://www.fenwayfoundation.com/pdf/Boerma%20et%20al.%20EVE%202012.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Breed history ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2025}}
[[File:Ruiterportret van Pieter Schout drost van Hagestein, RP-P-OB-67.480.jpg|thumb|upright|17th century portrait of Dutchman [[Pieter Schout]] riding a Friesian style horse]]
The Friesian originates in the province of [[Friesland]] in the northern [[Netherlands]], where there is evidence of thousands of years of horse populations.

As far back in history as the 4th century there are mentions of Friesian troops which rode their own horses. One of the most well-known sources of this was by an English writer named Anthony Dent{{r|bouma}} who wrote about the Friesian mounted troops in Carlisle. Dent, amongst others, wrote that the Friesian horse was the ancestor of both the British [[Shire horse]] and [[Fell pony]], however, this is speculation.

It was not until the 11th century, that there were illustrations of what appeared to be Friesians. Many of the illustrations found depict knights riding horses which resemble the breed, with one of the most famous examples being [[William the Conqueror]].<ref>Friese stamhengsten deel I, E. Dijkstra (citation from Dr. Geurts)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.kfps.nl/TheFriesianHorse/TheFriesianHorse/HistoryoftheFriesianHorse.aspx |title=The Friesian Horse, a time-honoured utility breed |publisher=KFPS - Royal Friesian |access-date=November 28, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040448/http://english.kfps.nl/TheFriesianHorse/TheFriesianHorse/HistoryoftheFriesianHorse.aspx |archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>

These ancestors of the modern Friesians were used in medieval times to carry knights to battle. In the 12th and 13th centuries, some eastern horses of crusaders were mated with Friesian stock. During the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Netherlands were briefly linked with Spain, there was less demand for heavy war horses, as battle arms changed and became lighter. [[Andalusian horse]]s were bred with Friesians, producing a lighter horse more suitable for work as an urban carriage horse.

Historian [[Ann Hyland]] wrote of the Friesian breed:
{{Blockquote |text=The [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles]] (reigned 1516–56) continued Spanish expansion into the Netherlands, which had its Frisian warhorse, noted by [[Vegetius]] and used on the continent and in Britain in Roman times. Like the Andalusian, the Frisian bred true to type. Even with infusions of Spanish blood during the sixteenth century, it retained its indigenous characteristics, taking the best from both breeds. The Frisian is mentioned in 16th and 17th century works as a courageous horse eminently suitable for war, lacking the volatility of some breeds or the phlegm of very heavy ones. Generally black, the Frisian was around 15hh with strong, [[Cob (horse)|cobby conformation]], but with a deal more elegance and quality. The noted gait was a smooth trot coming from powerful quarters. Nowadays, though breed definition is retained, the size has markedly increased, as has that of most breeds due to improved rearing and dietary methods.<ref>{{Cite book |author-link=Ann Hyland |last=Hyland |first=Ann |title=The Warhorse 1250–1600 |location=UK |publisher=Sutton Publishing |year=1998 |pages=2–3 |ol=483512M |isbn=0750907460}}</ref>}}

The breed was especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they were in demand not only as harness horses and for agricultural work, but also for the trotting races so popular then. In the 1800s, the Friesian was bred to be lighter and faster for trotting, but this led to what some owners and breeders regarded as inferior stock, so a movement to return to pureblood stock took place at the end of the 19th century. 

[[File:20190227 Het Friese Paard door Auke Hettema Leeuwarden.jpg|thumb|Statue in [[Leeuwarden]] honouring the 100th anniversary of the modern Friesian studbook]]
A studbook society was founded in 1879 by [[Frisians|Frisian]] farmers and landowners who had gathered to found the {{lang|nl|Fries Rundvee Stamboek}} (FRS){{r|bouma|page=25}} The {{lang|nl|Paardenstamboek}} (horse stud book) was published in 1880 and initially registered both Friesian horses and a group of [[heavy warmblood]] breeds, including [[Ostfriesen and Alt-Oldenburger]]s, collectively known as "''Bovenlanders''".<ref name=fhs>{{Cite web |url=http://www.friesianhorsesociety.citymaker.com/page/page/4642169.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907103932/http://www.friesianhorsesociety.citymaker.com/page/page/4642169.htm |archive-date=2008-09-07 |title=History of the Friesian Horse |website=The Friesian Horse Society}}</ref>  At the time, the Friesian horse was declining in numbers, and was being replaced by the more fashionable Bovenlanders, both directly, and by [[crossbreeding]] ''Bovenlander'' stallions on Friesian mares. This had already virtually exterminated the pure Friesian in significant parts of the province in 1879, which made the inclusion of Bovenlanders necessary. While the work of the society led to a revival of the breed in the late 19th century, it also resulted in the sale and disappearance of many of the best stallions from the breeding area, and Friesian horse populations dwindled. By the early 20th century, the number of available breeding stallions was down to three.<ref>{{cite book |first1=P. |last1=de Boer |first2=S. |last2=Minkema |first3=A.M. |last3=Teekens |title=Judging the Friesian Horse |publisher=Koninklijk Friese Paardenstamboek}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2023|reason=What is this? Book, pamphlet, webpage? Not in Worldcat, so probably not a book.}} Therefore, in 1906, the two parts of the registry were joined, and the studbook was renamed the {{lang|nl|Friesch Paarden Stamboek}} (FPS) in 1907."<ref name=fhs/>

In 1913 a society, {{lang|nl|Het Friesch Paard}}, was founded to protect and promote the breed. By 1915 it had convinced FPS to split registration into two groups. By 1943, the breeders of non-Friesian horses left the FPS completely to form a separate association, which later became the [[Dutch Warmblood|''Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland'']] (Royal Warmblood Studbook of the Netherlands (KWPN).<ref name=fhs/>

Displacement by mechanical farm equipment on dairy farms also was a threat to the survival of Friesian horse. The last draught function performed by Friesians on a significant scale was on farms that raised [[dairy cattle]]. [[World War II]] slowed the process of displacement, allowing the population and popularity of the breed to rebound. Important in the initial stage of the recovery of the breed was due to the family owned [[:nl:Circus Strassburger|Circus Strassburger]], who, having fled [[Nazi Germany]] for the Low Countries, discovered the show qualities of the breed and demonstrated its abilities outside of its local breeding area during and after the Nazi occupation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fhana.com/the-fresian-horse/friesian-history |title=Friesian History |publisher=Friesian Horse Association of North America |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040638/http://www.fhana.com/the-fresian-horse/friesian-history |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Uses ==

As use in agricultural pursuits declined, the Friesian became popular for recreational uses.<ref name=FHANAhistory>{{cite web|title=Friesian History|url=http://www.fhana.com/history/index.php#sjee|website=Friesian Horse Association of North America|access-date=29 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919010731/http://www.fhana.com/history/index.php#sjee|archive-date=September 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Today, about seven percent of the horses in the Netherlands are Friesians.<ref name=Marcella>{{cite web|last1=Marcella|first1=Kenneth|title=The trouble with Friesians|url=https://www.dvm360.com/view/trouble-with-friesians |website=DVM 360 Magazine|access-date=29 August 2015|date=June 1, 2013}}</ref>

The Friesian horse today is used both [[driving (horse)|in harness]] and [[equestrianism|under saddle]], particularly in the discipline of [[dressage]]. In harness, they are used for competitive and recreational driving. A traditional carriage seen in some events designed for Friesian horses is a high-wheeled cart called a [[Sjees]].<ref name=FHAHAabout>{{cite web|title=Overview|url=http://www.fhana.com/overview/?section=fans|website=Friesian Horse Association of North America|access-date=29 August 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012205/http://www.fhana.com/overview/?section=fans|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{r|smith|page=82}} Friesians are also used to pull vintage carriages at ceremonial events and parades.<ref name=Klimek/>

Because of their color and striking appearance, Friesian horses are a popular breed in movies and television, particularly in historic and fantasy dramas. They are viewed as calm in the face of the activity associated with filmmaking, but also elegant on-camera.<ref name=Klimek>{{cite web|last1=Klimek|first1=Kim Abbott|title=Friesians in Film|url=http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-breeds/friesians-in-film.aspx|website=Horsechannel.com|date=May 30, 2014|access-date=29 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511041409/http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-breeds/friesians-in-film.aspx |archive-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref>

<gallery heights="170" mode="packed" caption="Friesian usage">
File:Friesian Sjees.jpg|Friesian [[Sjees]]
File:Natasha Althoff 01.jpg|Competing in [[Grand Prix dressage]]
File:Friesengespann.JPG|Pair of Friesians in harness
File:Bibi Pferdemarkt Friese nach links.jpg|Pagentry
</gallery>

== Registration of breeding ==

{{Quotebox |width=30% |align=right |text=A Friesian horse is defined as a horse that meets the breed description as described in the breeding goal and of which both parents are registered in one of the classes (of the main section) of the KFPS. —KFPS{{r|kfps-regs}} }}
{{lang|nl|Koninklijke Vereniging 'Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek'}} (KFPS), which means "Royal Association, The Friesian Horse Studbook",  is the original Friesian studbook founded in 1879 in the Netherlands and is the world-recognized official studbook for the Friesian horse breed.{{r|fhana-about|fhana-regs}} KFPS has licensed about 30 organizations around the world as authorized representatives to uphold its breeding program standards, record registrations and arrange horse evaluations.{{r|fhana-about}} Most KFPS-registered horses are in the Netherlands, Germany and North America.{{r|fhana-about}} 

KFPS studbook breeding is strictly controlled, and breeding a KFPS-registered and approved stallion to any non-KFPS mares or to any other breed of horse is strongly discouraged.{{r|fhana-about|fhana-regs}} Other registries exist for Friesians and Friesian crossbreeds, but KFPS does not permit dual registration.{{r|fhana-about}}

For a stallion to be approved as breeding stock it must pass a rigorous approval process. Horses are judged at an inspection, or {{lang|nl|keuring}}, by Dutch judges, who decide whether the horse is worthy of breeding.{{r|kfps-inspectregs}}

There are multiple registries within KFPS. The two main registries are the ''studbook'' for approved stallions, and the ''foalbook'' for horses from the mating of an approved stallion and a mare in the foalbook.{{r|fhana-about}} There are two auxiliary registries:{{r|fhana-about}}
* ''B-Book I'' is for horses from a mating with a limited-approved stallion. In countries where approved-stallion stock is low, some stallions are given limited breeding rights, and their offspring can be registered in B-Book I with the possibility of upgrading to a higher studbook grade after three successive generations of breeding by KFPS approved studbook stallions.{{r|kfps-regs}} North America is one of the regions outside Netherlands with a sufficient number of approved stallions available such that there has been no B-Book I registering since 1992.
* ''B-Book II'' is for horses from the mating of two purebred Friesians, but the stallion is not approved. Such offspring must be registered directly with KFPS in Netherlands.

There are a few special status awards that can be obtained during evaluation events, such as a ''star predicate'' which is awarded to a mare, gelding, or unapproved stallion that meets minimum standards of conformation, movement, and minimum height; and a ''sport predicate'' is awarded to horses that have achieved certain performance goals in dressage or driving competitions.{{r|fhana-predicates}}

KFPS-registered horses born prior to 1997 had tongue tattoos; horses born after have a [[Microchip implant (animal)|microchip implant]] in the upper left neck. The tattoo or chip numbers are recorded on the registration papers.{{r|fhana-about}} Names given to foals born in a certain year must begin with a fixed letter as determined by KFPS. Parentage is verified with DNA testing, and mares are DNA tested for hydrocephalus and dwarfism unless their sire and dam had both tested as non-carriers.{{r|kfps-regs}}

== See also ==
* [[Arabo-Friesian]]
* [[Baroque Pinto]]
* [[Friesian Sporthorse]]
* [[Vlaamperd]]

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="ausnz">{{cite web |title=Breed description |website=The Australian & New Zealand Friesian Horse Society Inc. |url=https://anzfhs.org.au/the-friesian/description/ |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309231721/https://anzfhs.org.au/the-friesian/description/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="bouma">{{Cite book |title=Het Friese Paard [The Friesian Horse] |publisher=Friese Pers Boekerij [Friesian Press Library] |location=Drachten |orig-year=1979 |year=1988 |last1=Bouma |first1=G.J.A. |first2=E |last2=Dijkstra |first3=A. |last3=Osinga |language=nl |oclc=7794705 |isbn=9789033000010}}</ref><!--I think this is a KFPS publication because WorldCat's entry translates to "The Frisian horse: Published to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Association "The Frisian Horse Studbook" in 1979".-->

<ref name="edwards">{{Cite book |first=Elwyn Hartley |last=Edwards |author-link=Elwyn Hartley Edwards |year=2008 |orig-year=1994 |title=The Encyclopedia of the Horse |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |isbn=9780756628949 |ol=21938319M |page=56}}</ref>

<ref name="fhana-about">{{Cite web |title=The Friesian Registry : Understanding the Different Elements of the KFPS Registry |work=Fhana |access-date=2023-12-04 |url=https://fhana.com/about/the-friesian-registry/}}</ref>

<ref name="fhana-predicates">{{Cite web |title=Predicates Explained |work=Fhana |access-date=2023-12-04 |url=https://fhana.com/inspections/predicates-explained/}}</ref>

<ref name="fhana-regs">{{Cite web |title=Rules and Regs |work=Fhana |access-date=2023-12-04 |url=https://fhana.com/about/rules-and-regs/}}</ref>

<ref name="hendricks">{{cite book |year=1995 |title=International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds |last=Hendricks |first=Bonnie |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=0806127538 |ol=1279627M |pages=195-199}}</ref>

<ref name="kfps-inspectregs">{{Cite web |title=Keuringsreglement |language=nl |trans-title=Inspection regulations |work=KFPS |access-date=2023-12-04 |url=https://kfps.nl/reglementen-voorwaarden/keuringsreglement/ |quote=(English option available on website)}}</ref>

<ref name="kfps-regs">{{Cite web |title=Registratiereglement [Registration regulations] |work=KFPS |access-date=2023-12-04 |url=https://kfps.nl/reglementen-voorwaarden/registratiereglement/}}</ref>

<ref name="porter2016">{{Cite book |first1=Valerie |last1=Porter |first2=Lawrence |last2=Alderson |first3=Stephen J.G. |last3=Hall |first4=D. Phillip |last4=Sponenberg |year=2016 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mason_s_World_Encyclopedia_of_Livestock/2UEJDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA467 |page=467 |title=Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding |edition=Sixth |publisher=[[CAB International]] |isbn=9781780647944 |quote=}} </ref>

<ref name="smith">{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Horse Drawn Vehicles |first=D.J.M. |last=Smith |year=1988 |publisher=J. A. Allen & Co. Ltd. |isbn=0851314686 |ol=11597864M}}</ref>
</references>

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://kfps.nl/ Koninklijke Vereniging "Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek" (KFPS)] Royal Friesian studbook association
* [https://fhana.com/ Friesian Horse Association of North America] (FHANA) KFPS representative in USA
* [https://kfps.nl/buitenlandse-fokverenigingen/ Other KFPS-official foreign breeding associations] (about 30)
* [https://friesianhorsesociety.com/ The Friesian Horse Society], a North American registry for Friesians, crosses, and Arabo-Friesians

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Friesian Horse}}
[[Category:Horse breeds]]
[[Category:Horse breeds originating in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Culture of Friesland]]