Friesian horse: description and characteristics of the breed, rules of care and how much it costs

Friesian horses are called black pearls or black gold due to their silky coat and smooth neck curve. The Dutch breeding species was on the verge of extinction, but now the number of Frisians in the world has increased. The noble exterior aroused the interest of breeders in the breed. The developing mane and shaggy hooves turn the galloping Friesian horse into the personification of unstoppable power.

How the breed was born

The birthplace of Friesian horses is Friesland, a region in the Netherlands. The breed was bred in the 16th and 17th centuries by crossing local cold-resistant heavy trucks and heat-loving Spanish Andalusians.The ancestors of modern Frisians were not graceful. They were used as draft animals and for riding. Warriors went into battle on Friesian horses. Powerful horses withstood the weight of a knight in armor.

Medieval Holland depended on the economy, trade and martial law in Europe. The appearance and strength of the Frisians changed in accordance with the political situation. Breeders improved the quality of horses with European and Oriental breeds.

During the period of Spanish domination, the Dutch army did not need heavy war horses. The Frisians were facilitated by crossing with Berber and Andalusian breeds. The result was a mobile universal horse suitable for war, sports and parades. In the 18th century, the Frisians were gradually replaced by riding breeds. By the 20th century, their numbers had dwindled. But even royal immunity and keeping a stud book did not save the Dutch horses from degeneration.

To prevent the Friesians from completely disappearing, and also due to the lack of purebred individuals, they were crossed with other breeds.

As a result, the original medieval elegance of the Dutch horses suffered. The legs became shorter, and the body more massive. At the end of the 20th century, noble breeds were again interested in Europe. Friesian horses are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Pros and cons

Friesian horse - hardy, graceful, medium height, harmoniously built. The animal walks in a soft gait, comfortable for the rider.

Positive qualities of friezes:

• dress appearance;
• comfortable curve of the back for sitting;
• compliance.

The negative aspects of the Friesian breed relate to content and application:

• complex diet;
• labor-intensive daily care;
• sensitivity to suboptimal living conditions and malnutrition;
• external data prevail over physical and intellectual abilities.

Friesian horses are beautiful, obedient, but not brilliant. For team competitions and races, jockeys prefer more maneuverable, unpretentious breeds. Due to the laborious care of the Friesian horses, they are also not suitable for cross-country tour groups. Lush mane, tail and lower legs are difficult to clean from small forest and field debris.

Full description and exterior

External characteristics of the breed:

• height at the withers - 150-162 cm;
• black suit;
• heavy body;
• wide back;
• deep loin;
• elongated croup;
• curved high neck;
• large elongated head;
• straight profile;
• elongated sharp straight ears;
• powerful legs;
• hind hooves are narrower than front hooves;
• legs below the knee joint are covered with long hair.

The sporty Friesian horse adopted the high growth and lightness of the Andalusians. A thick mane, tail and long hair falling on the hooves are the hallmarks of the Frisians.

Besides the exterior, the quality of the gait is included in the breed standard:

• step - four-stroke, uniform;
• lynx - two-stroke, with a long flight phase.

Friesian horses run smoothly, like a carriage, raising their legs high. Speed on flat ground is slower than on thin snow.

Varieties and colors of friezes

Dutch horses are divided into three types of exterior:

• baroque - individuals with a pedigree stretching from the first representatives of the breed look noble, have a thick mane, high gait;
• sporty - characterized by a short back, dense body, but a small volume of lungs does not allow participation in races;
• modern - an intermediate type between light sporty and powerful baroque.

The standard color of Frisians is black. Sometimes females have a white mark on their forehead - an “asterisk”, not exceeding 3 centimeters in diameter. Inclusions are not allowed for males.

White or red foals are born by mixing the Friesian breed with the Eastern or American. A light shade with a gray tint is obtained by crossing with an Arabian horse. Appaloosa mestizo foals look like friezes of a chubar suit.

Temper and learning ability of the animal

Friesian horses are intelligent and adapt to the rider. The breed is best suited for learning to ride from scratch. Friezes are energetic and balanced, they are not afraid of loud sounds and crowds. They can be trained in different types of gait. The phlegm of the Dutch and the expressiveness of the Spanish ancestors combined in the sanguine temperament of the Frisians.

Where are horses used?

The road to sports is not closed to the Frisians, although more often handsome men are in demand in the entertainment field. Applications:

• urban tourism;
• driving;
• circus art;
• event industry.

Friesian horses are bought for private stables and riding. Majestic handsome men are harnessed to pleasure carriages, carriages for special occasions.

Content Features

For good he alth, Friesian horses need a balanced diet, a clean and warm stall.

Stable

Favourable conditions for Frisians:

• temperature - 16-20 degrees all year round;
• ventilation, fresh air;
• no drafts.

The size of the stall depends on how much time the horse spends in it. Breeders sometimes equip two places - winter, 3x4 meters, and summer, 3x2.5 meters.

Feeding and watering

The menu of Friesian horses consists of grass, grain, vegetables and minerals. An elite breed cannot be fed with compound feed for large livestock. The finished mixture contains substances that cause indigestion. The daily intake is calculated individually according to the weight of the horse and physical activity.

Seasonal Frisian feeding schedule:

• 3 times a day in winter;
• 2 times a day in summer.

Food is given at the same time of day and evening. Feeders and drinkers are installed at the level of the horse's chest. Dishes are washed daily and disinfected once a month. Stationary automatic drinking bowls will provide animals with round-the-clock access to clean water.

Horses

Feed composition for Friesian stallions and mares of all ages:

• bran;
• wheat;
• corn;
• whole oats;
• crushed barley;
• carrot;
• potato;
• raw or boiled beets;
• table s alt.

Feeding order:

• roughage - hay, grass;
• juicy vegetables;
• cereals.

Perennial grasses are added to the hay. A he althy food for Frisians is muesli. If there are not enough vitamins and minerals in the diet, animals eat earth, sand, lick whitewash.

Pregnant mares

Pregnant Friesian mares need vitamins A, B, E, as well as calcium and phosphorus. Add to diet:

• corn;
• silo;
• cake;
• sprouted grain.

Mares are let out to pasture for 6 hours a day in summer. At any time of the year, they should be given more carrots.

Body and mane care

The mane, tail and woolen brushes on the hooves are the pride of the Frisians, so the appearance of the animals is carefully looked after. Dutch horses are never sheared, otherwise their appearance loses its greatness. Daily care includes:

• combing the mane and tail with a comb;
• wool scraping

In the hot summer, warm showers are given to horses. Cold water is contraindicated for friezes, as well as drafts. With the first cold weather, water procedures are canceled. The mane and tail are washed with shampoo once a week. Coarse horsehair is easier to comb with conditioner. The product is applied to the mane and tail every 2-3 days.

Disease prevention measures

Freezes are sensitive to changes in temperature, diet, toxins.

How to keep animals he althy:

• take veterinary check-ups every six months;
• comply with the vaccination schedule;
• monitor behavior;
• self-examine teeth, hooves, eyes and ears;
• remove worms once every six months;
• treat wool with insect repellent in summer;
• keep the stalls clean.

Freezes are vaccinated against the following diseases:

• rabies;
• tetanus;
• flu;
• herpes;
• encephalomyelitis.

Symptoms of problems with the oral cavity: drooling, the horse chews on one side of the jaw, refuses solid food. Frisian teeth grow throughout life. Difficulty chewing solid foods is due to malocclusion or gum disease.

During the walk, you need to make sure that the Friesian horse does not eat unknown berries and plants. Signs of poisoning - refusal of food, diarrhea and lethargy.

Features of breed breeding

Friesian mares have a 15% chance of getting pregnant naturally.For breeding use artificial insemination. The mating season of the Frisians lasts from March to June. The gestation period is 11 months. Childbirth is difficult, often with a caesarean section.

Interesting facts about Friesian horses

The majestic Dutch horses left their mark on the history of horse breeding and the world:

• by order of the German Emperor Wilhelm I in the 18th century, the Frisian running competitions were held - “Day of the Royal Whip”;
• since 1985, Dutch horses have been harnessed to Queen Elizabeth's carriage at the annual opening of the British Parliament;
• in Britain, a long-lived horse became famous, who lived for 50 years. On average, Friesians live 25 years;
• Friezes are fabulous horses. They are harnessed to the princess carriages at Disneyland;
• Friesian horses have doubles - Fell ponies. They have the same hoof brushes and long manes.

Owners can release friezes on overgrown lawn. Animals will cope with green shoots better than a lawn mower. For good work and obedience, Dutch beauties spoil them with their favorite treat - sugar.

Cost

The price depends on the availability of the pedigree and the country of the seller. The main supplier of the Friesian breed is the Netherlands. The minimum price for a horse from a Dutch kennel is 10 thousand euros, excluding delivery.

In Russia, there are few equestrian organizations specializing in breeding Frisians. In the Moscow region, KSK "Svetozar" and "Kartsevo" are known. You can see the applicants on the websites of the complexes. How much is the stallion or mare you like, you need to specify separately when buying.

Frieze can be bought from a private seller through online message boards. Prices for titled horses with a pedigree on sale and purchase sites range from 350 thousand to 1.5 million rubles. The owners highly appreciate the sporting achievements and abilities of their pets.

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