Friesian

What is a Friesian?

A black horse from Friesland in the northern Netherlands, 150-173cm, with heavy feather, an extravagant mane and tail, an arched neck and a high knee action. Originally a light draught and carriage horse, now used for dressage, driving and display.

They are one of the most recognisable horses in the world and one of the more genetically constrained, which is the substance of the health section below.

History and origins

An old Dutch breed, documented from the 13th century and used as a warhorse carrying armoured knights. Andalusian blood was added in the 16th and 17th centuries, giving the high action and the arched neck.

The breed came close to extinction twice, most recently in 1913 when only three breeding stallions remained. Everything alive today descends from those three, which is why the inbreeding coefficient is high and why the inherited conditions cluster.

The KFPS in the Netherlands is the mother studbook; the FPS covers Britain.

Appearance and size

150-173cm, 550-700kg. Always black - a small star is permitted and nothing else. Long thick mane and tail, traditionally never cut, and silky feather from the knee and hock.

Powerful, compact and upright, with the knees lifted high in trot.

Temperament and personality

Kind, willing and notably people-oriented, often described as the most biddable of the heavy types. They are sensitive for their size and respond to quiet handling.

They can be anxious rather than sharp, and they take real reassurance from a confident handler.

Intelligence and trainability

Very trainable and keen to please, which is why they do so well in harness and in dressage. They learn quickly and hold their work.

They mature slowly and should not be worked hard until five.

Children and other pets

An adult's horse by size, though the temperament is kind. Confident teenagers manage them.

Easy in a herd and straightforward on the ground.

Health problems

The important section, and the reason a buyer should read the papers carefully.

Dwarfism and hydrocephalus, both recessive and both with DNA tests. Affected foals either die or cannot be used. Carrier status should be known for both parents.

Aortic rupture. Friesians have a markedly elevated rate of aortic rupture and aortopulmonary fistula compared with other breeds, often in horses between four and seven, sometimes fatally and without warning.

Megaoesophagus, a dilated oesophagus causing choke and regurgitation, over-represented in the breed.

Retained placenta in mares, very common, and an emergency.

Digital dermatitis and chronic progressive lymphoedema in the feathered legs - persistent skin infection that is difficult to clear once established.

Insect bite hypersensitivity, and a general tendency to skin problems under the feather.

Life expectancy is sixteen to twenty-five years, noticeably shorter than most breeds, and that should be part of the decision.

Daily care routine

Daily checks, feet out daily, and a hands-on check under the feather every day through winter - this is the breed where leg skin disease starts quietly and becomes chronic.

Farrier every five to seven weeks, teeth annually, vaccinations annually, worm counts through the season.

Grooming and coat care

Substantial. The mane and tail are long, thick and traditionally uncut, and they mat. The feather needs washing, drying and inspecting regularly.

Clipped for winter work, with the feather usually left, which is exactly what makes the leg care a year-round job.

Exercise needs

Moderate to high: four to six days a week for a horse in work. They have less stamina than a lighter breed and overheat more readily under the coat and mane, so hot weather needs care.

Feeding and diet

Forage first, and they are good doers - a Friesian out of hard work holds weight on hay alone. Conditioning feed matched to the work. Grow youngstock slowly.

Price

£8,000-£25,000 for a well-bred, registered riding or driving horse; £30,000+ for a graded stallion or a proven performer. Unregistered "Friesian type" horses are cheaper and are a different proposition.

Keeping one costs £5,000-£12,000 a year, with grooming and leg care adding real time as well as money.

Buying advice

Ask for KFPS or FPS papers and the microchip, and check them. Ask for the dwarfism and hydrocephalus DNA results.

Ask the age and cause of death of horses in the line, specifically - with a breed this inbred and with this aortic risk, it is the most informative question available.

Five-stage vetting from your own vet, and discuss whether a cardiac work-up is warranted given the breed.

Look under the feather. Crusting, swelling or a smell means chronic leg skin disease, and it does not clear up easily.