| They are well known for their grace and agility even | | | | heads with short ears, they have an extended, curved |
| though they are the size of small shire horse. It has | | | | neckline and carry great definition. Body wise they are |
| been said that they were highly regarded war horses | | | | a powerful looking breed, with defined, toned bodies |
| used in Europe from the Middle Ages onwards, as | | | | and relatively stunted legs with a low tail. |
| their strength and agility could seat an armour-clad | | | | Friesian horses are known not only for their agility, |
| knight whilst still remaining agile. More recently, Friesians | | | | energy and high-stepping trot, but also for being a |
| are being used as harness horses, and often appear in | | | | docile, affectionate breed. |
| the Dressage circle. | | | | Friesian Uses Today |
| Characteristics of Friesians | | | | Increasingly nowadays, Friesian horses are crossbred |
| Characteristically, Friesians are black, though there are | | | | to create Friesian Sporthorses, which are less heavy, |
| other distinguishing features. They can be recognised | | | | though there is still huge demand for purebred Friesian |
| by their long, thick-haired, almost crimped mane with a | | | | horses. |
| similarly long and dense tail, and also distinctive long hair | | | | They remain a popular choice for any harness or |
| on their lower legs (also know as feathers). Height | | | | carriage work, utilising their high-stepping action, agility, |
| wise, geldings and mares have to be over 15.2hh to be | | | | pace and strength, though you're just as likely to find |
| considered pedigree, whilst Stallions come in at 17hh at | | | | Friesians in the Dresage circle due to their |
| the withers. | | | | temperament, trainability and distinctive look. It is this |
| Many people have heard of the term 'Baroque' when it | | | | temperament which also leads to many to becoming a |
| comes to the Friesian horses, this refers to the more | | | | popular choice for pleasure (bomb-proof) horses. |
| classical, stocky Friesian build. Typically Spanish looking | | | | |