| The Friesian horse is a breed of horse from | | | | have compact, muscular bodies with strong |
| Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. | | | | sloping hindquarters and a low-set tail. |
| Although originally bred as a draft horse, | | | | Their limbs are comparatively short and |
| the breed is graceful and nimble for its size | | | | strong. |
| and later developed into a finer-boned | | | | |
| nobleman's steed. During the Middle Ages, | | | | From the latter part of the 20th century |
| Friesian horses were in great demand as | | | | until the present, demand for purebreds, |
| destriers throughout Europe since their size | | | | particularly the finer-boned, taller, more |
| enabled them to carry a knight in full armor. | | | | agile version of the Friesian increased, so |
| After a few close calls with breed | | | | breeders began to produce both purebreds and |
| extinction, the modern day Friesian horse is | | | | a lighter-weight crossbred horse with valued |
| growing in numbers and popularity, used both | | | | characteristics. |
| in harness and under saddle. Most recently, | | | | |
| the breed is being introduced to the field of | | | | Friesian and Friesian-mixed horses excel in |
| dressage . | | | | dressage competitions due the breed's strong |
| | | | intellect, show-form looks, power, and body |
| The Friesian is probably best known for its | | | | control. Due to its heavy, muscular physique |
| black coat color, a long, thick mane and | | | | the purebred Friesian is not well-suited to |
| tail, and "feathers"--long, silky hair on the | | | | aerobic sports like horse racing or endurance |
| lower legs, deliberately left untrimmed. The | | | | riding, but its status as a student and |
| official breed rarely has white markings of | | | | dressage horse is excellent. |
| any kind, most registries allow only a small | | | | |
| star on the forehead for purebred | | | | The Friesian also remains popular as a |
| registration. Though extremely rare, and not | | | | carriage horse, as its high-stepping action |
| accepted for registration in most cases, | | | | makes it eye-catching and impressive. It is |
| Friesians are occasionally chestnut. The | | | | particularly popular in competitions that |
| Friesian's average height is about 15.3 hands | | | | require the driving of a team, partly because |
| (1.60 m), although it may vary from 14.2 to | | | | of its movement and disposition, and partly |
| 17 hands (between 1.5 m and 1.7 m) tall at | | | | because it is easy to match teams of black |
| the withers, and mares must be at least 15.2 | | | | horses. Friesians are also good all-around |
| hands (1.57 m) tall to qualify for a special | | | | horses, used for showing, driving, and |
| 'star-designation' pedigree. [1] The breed is | | | | general riding, and are also used as circus |
| known for a fast, high-stepping trot. The | | | | horses. |
| Friesian is considered a willing, active, and | | | | |
| energetic horse that is also gentle and | | | | Due to their striking appearance and mild |
| docile. A Friesian tends to have great | | | | temperament, the Friesian has become popular |
| presence and to carry itself very proudly. | | | | in the film industry. The breed owes much of |
| | | | its current popularity to the appearance of a |
| The breed has powerful overall conformation | | | | Friesian stallion in the 1985 film, |
| and good bone structure. Friesians have long, | | | | Ladyhawke, which ignited a worldwide interest |
| elegant, arched necks and well-chiseled, | | | | in these horses. Recent films such as The |
| short-eared, "Spanish type" heads. Their | | | | Mask of Zorro, and Alexander have also |
| sloping shoulders are quite powerful. They | | | | featured Friesian horses. |