| The Typical Friesian Characteristics may be found in a | | | | for the heart and lungs, without being rotund. The belly |
| horse that is harmoniously built and properly | | | | maintains sufficient depth towards the rear. |
| proportioned. The noble head has clear, intelligent eyes | | | | The legs - The forelegs are properly positioned and |
| and small, alert ears with the tips pointing slightly | | | | when viewed from the front, are set parallel with a |
| toward each other. The neck is of adequate length | | | | hoofwidth of space at the ground. Viewed from the |
| and is lightly arched. A strong back joins a croup of | | | | side, they are perpendicular down through the fetlock |
| good length which doesn't slope too steeply. The | | | | joint. The cannon bone is not too long; the forearm, |
| shoulder is strong, long and sloping and the body has | | | | however, has good length. The pastern is resilient, of |
| good depth and well sprung ribs. The feet and legs are | | | | good length and is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. |
| strong with a well developed forearm and proper | | | | The hoofs are wide and sound. |
| stance. A height of 1.60 meters (15.3 hands) is | | | | The hind legs, viewed from the rear, are straight. |
| considered ideal. | | | | Viewed from the side, the legs are set directly under |
| The horse has fluid, elegant and suspended gaits | | | | the hind quarters and are strong with good, sound |
| which are emphasized by feathering on the lower legs, | | | | hoofs. The hind cannon is a little longer than in front; the |
| a fine mane and beautiful, long tail. Jet black is the | | | | gaskin is long, with well developed muscle. The angle at |
| preferred color. This is a horse of luxurious and proud | | | | the hock is approximately 150 degrees; the rear |
| appearance, full of personality, honest and eager to | | | | pasterns are at a 55 degree angle to the ground. |
| work. | | | | The joints in the legs are dry, well-developed, and |
| Conformation - At a time when many breed registries | | | | provide a good foundation for the tendons and |
| have experienced a decline in registrations and | | | | ligaments. |
| memberships, the FPS has continued to grow. This is | | | | The overall appearance of the horse's body is more |
| due, in part, to the appearance and charisma of the | | | | nearly a rectangle than a square. When the shoulder is |
| Friesian horse. The attraction exerted on devotees by | | | | long and sloping, the back is not too long, and the croup |
| the appearance of the Friesian horse cannot be | | | | is of adequate length, the ratio of fore-, middle- and |
| jeopardized when breeding for specific performance | | | | hind quarters can be an ideal 1:1:1. The horse is neither |
| qualities. A description of ideal Friesian conformation | | | | too massive nor too light. |
| follows: | | | | The walk is straight, vigorous and springy. There is |
| The head is relatively short and the width is | | | | good length of stride and the hind quarters swing |
| proportional to the length. The ears are small and alert | | | | forward with power. |
| with the tips pointing slightly toward each other. The | | | | The trot is a reaching and forward movement with |
| eyes are large and shining. The nasal bone is slightly | | | | power from the hind quarters. It is elevated and |
| hollow or straight; nostrils are wide. The lips are closed | | | | light-footed with a moment of suspension. The hock |
| and the teeth meet properly. The jaw bones are not | | | | flexes as the horse moves forward and the inside |
| heavy and are spread wide apart to allow the horse | | | | angle of the hind leg closes during each stride. |
| to breathe easily while at work. The head is set | | | | The canter is well supported and lively with sufficient |
| gracefully on the neck with adequate space for the | | | | power from the hind quarters and flexion in the hock. |
| throat. Overall, the head is dry and expressive and | | | | Breeding for Performance - The Friesian horse is used |
| blends smoothly into the neck. | | | | in various equestrian sports: show driving, combined |
| The neck is lightly arched at the crest. It is long enough | | | | driving, dressage under saddle and recreation. As |
| for the horse to bend properly and is adequately | | | | driving horses, Friesians perform well, but to become |
| muscled. The neck is set on high and the lower | | | | more competitive in all sports, attention should be given |
| neckline does not bulge between the throat and the | | | | to the following points: |
| chest. | | | | strong, powerful hind quarters |
| The withers are well developed, prominent and, in | | | | a luxurious horse that is not too heavy, but has ample |
| particular, blend gradually into the back. | | | | power |
| The back is not too long and is well muscled. A slightly | | | | a long, sloping shoulder |
| low back is allowed. | | | | hard, dry legs |
| The loin is wide, strong and well muscled and makes a | | | | light-footed movements with a moment of suspension |
| smooth transition into the croup. | | | | size neither too small nor too large; the ideal range of |
| The croup is of good length and slopes slightly | | | | height is 1.59 - 1.63 meters (15.21 to 16.0 hands) |
| downward; it is wide and muscular. It neither forms a | | | | sufficiently long and well muscled forearm and gaskin |
| point nor is overly rounded. The tail is not set on too | | | | strong, smooth transition from loin to croup; long and |
| low. The gluteal muscle is long and well developed. | | | | well developed gluteal muscle |
| The shoulders are long and sloping and are set widely | | | | good, wide hoofs with proper heels |
| enough apart to form a good chest, which is neither | | | | good head/neck connection |
| too wide nor too narrow. | | | | an honest character, eager to work |
| The ribs are long and curved, supplying ample space | | | | stamina |