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