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