The history of the Friesian horse

In the Netherlands one was breeding initially three breeds of horses:

• the Friesian horse; dark brown or black and relatively heavy

• the Gelderlander horse; light brown

• the Zealandian horse; heavy;

The Friesian horse is the only breed that managed to maintain, though in small numbers. Both the other breeds made place, during the years, for the Oldenburger as a ploughing horse. And the Belgian horse as a draught horse.

Because the Friesian horse not only did very well pulling carriages and wagons but also as a dressage horse, the breed was used to breed closely allied horse breeds.

The Friesian horse is a breed that, like the name says, originates from the Dutch province Friesland. In the Middle Ages the knights of Northern Europe, wanted the Friesian horse as a riding horse. At the beginning of the nineteenth century there were only a few Friesian horses left and in the year 1913 there were only three stallions. The cause of the revival of the Friesian horse around 1970, after it had a deep depression, could be found in the typical racial characteristics. The people liked an authentic Friesian horse with the typical exterior and disposition that made it well known. The other qualities are the black color, the long manes and tail, the hair on the fetlocks, the small, noble head, the arched and rised neck, the typical form in the group and the specially action in the trot.

The Friesian Horses have mandatory inspections, at "keurings" as weanlings, (for inclusion in the foalbook) and at three, (for inclusion in the studbook). Mares and geldings of exceptional conformation and movement are sometimes awarded entrance in the star registry. The horses are usually to be reshown to the judges in years following, as few horses are mature enough at three to pass. Stallions have such a difficult trial to become breeding stallions that less then 1% of the horses that are tried get their permanent breeding license approval by the FPS. It is not allowed to crossbreed with other breeds of horses.

My Friesian stallion who's name is Rindert, is the son of Diedert (198202881) x Hotske Ut 'e Mieden (198482740) and was born on April 11, 1989.