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Discussion on Questions regarding Friesians
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Member:
Johnsonl
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Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 3:59 pm:
I'm considering saving my money in order to buy a Friesian in a couple of years. I've read quite a lot on this breed, am attracted to them, but have many questions I was hoping other Friesian owners could help me with. I have a TB-cross who foundered a year ago, and though his x-rays are now just about perfect and he's sound at play in the pasture, he's still moving "on egg-shells" at the walk when mounted. I'm despairing over it and beginning to accept that he may be my precious pasture ornament for the rest of his days. He has spoiled me for other horses, I fear. Buckeye's gaits were wonderful, he has tremendous forward energy and heart, but not an ounce of meaness nor any bad habits. Lovely ground manners. I'm hoping to find these traits in a Friesian, too. But, my questions are:
* Because I live in central Florida, could a Friesian handle the hot climate okay?
* I've heard from a dressage trainer that in her experience (3 Friesians only) they don't have good suspension. Any thoughts on this?
* Would they make good trail horses down here in this heat?
* I can't stand riding horses that you have to urge on...is this breed eager and energetic? Not crazy energetic, but just with more GO than WHOA?
I very much appreciate any insights y'all can provide! Thanks! Lori J.
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Member:
Vickiann
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Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 6:18 pm:
Hi, Lori -- You may want to contact Austin Horse Park in Weirsdale, Florida, about keeping this breed in our location. They use Friesians for some of their driving. You can pull up their sites via austinhorsepark.org I think Bonnie Roof who works there bought one of their Friesians to ride, and her work E-mail address is: bonnie@austinhorsepark.org I've ridden on the central Florida trails with a young Friesian that boards near my home's location, but he is kept in Vermont during the summer! (In fact, he is leaving for Vermont tomorrow) For the Florida heat, I prefer my gray Arabian!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 8:42 am:
I cannot improve upon Vicki's sugestion but would like to know what you find out. I would think such a breed would need special care in such a hot humid environment.
DrO
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 3:30 pm:
Lori, TBs and Friesians are very different horses, I dare say exact opposites. If you're in love with the action of a TB it is very unlikely that you'll appreciate a Friesian and vice versa.
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Member:
Paardex
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Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 3:08 pm:
Lori,I totally agree with Christos. Apart from that Friesians do not like high temperatures, or long distances.They do have a lovely character,most are sweet horses who like to please you and most of them like to work.
Jos
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 4:34 pm:
Lori, I did not understand the comment on Friesian suspension.
I am not really into Friesians but I've ridden a couple of purebreds and some halfbreds, and I can ensure you, their suspension was excellent whichever way one may mean it.
Their movement is very round and elastic. Big, powerful movement, but very smooth.
As far as joints, bones and tendons are concerned, I have seen no weakness or sensitivity. They will perform successive levades or courbettes with exceptional ease, which is, I believe, a sign of very strong suspension.
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:54 pm:
Jos, are Friesian mares very untalented for work under saddle or is it just my idea?
I think they're a bit too thick and lazy and very stubborn. I've only ridden 3 of them, but I don't hear of any people anywhere using them successfully as riding horses and this puts me in thoughts.
Any comments from the Netherlands ?
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Member:
Johnsonl
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Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 4:15 pm:
Thanks very much to all who responded to my questions about Friesians! I'm always grateful for how friendly and helpful "horse-folk" are. It sounds like I would be making a possible mistake to consider owning one of these lovely horses in this brutally hot and humid climate, but the feedback on their temperament is so positive. If only I could win the lottery so I could do the snow-bird thing and book north in the hot months, taking my critters with me. It was interesting to read responses about their suspension, too. I know they seem to be used increasingly in dressage, so I gather they have the action/suspension for it. But...I'm sure it must be quite different from that of a TB! I'll continue to gather all the info I can about this breed over the next several months, and welcome continuing input from others on this topic. Please keep them coming, and THANKS again! Lori J.
Vicki - A special thanks to you for the contact! I've sent an email to Bonnie and hope for a response soon.
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Member:
Paardex
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Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 6:33 pm:
Christos I have only ridden a Friesian stallion so i wiil have to go by what I have seen and am told by friends. Most Friesians are very friendly horses and active to, but they were bred to pull a nice show cart[sjees] They are not made for long hours of working just for short spels of showing. Perhaps they seem lazy or unwilling because they don't have enough energy?Most of them do not like heat which could also interfere with their attitude in Greece? Modern bred Friesians however will be better adapted to heat and work under the saddle. There really are two different types at this moment. The beautiful black showhorse with their carts[the heavy type] and the more modern riding type used mostly for dressage.The last type should be an intelligent active though not spooky horse. I always found them to be less stubborn then our warmbloods but perhaps this observation tells more about the warmblood then the Friesian
Jos
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:29 pm:
Thanks a lot for your relpy, Jos.
We have some 5 purebred Friesians in the area, I think all heavy, show type.
The stallions, though restricted by the heat and their own weight are a real pleasure to ride, however green under saddle. A real show horse, as you say. Sweet, willing and impressive.
The mares, however, are a different story. Stubborn, unwilling and a bit ill tempered. They make a face the moment you put a saddle on their back and they maintain it through the ride. It feels like they'd happily buck you off if they could lift their own weight a little bit off the ground...
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Member:
Paardex
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Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 6:44 am:
Christos, although I am not really a fan of Friesians[lots of blood and a bit more electric is my type] your comments on these mares really surprise me. In our neighbourhood is a farm owned by the Dutch government with about 15 Friesian mares they are all bred most of the time and work under the saddle with all different types of riders.For each rider a suitable horse you might say.In addition to this they show a carriage at shows drawn by 10 mares together, not posssible with the horses you describe in my opinion. As for the Friesians in local dressage competition, they almost keep up with the 'normal'dressage horses which shows they have a great willingnes to learn and work because ofcourse their gallop isn't really good[flying changes must be a problem for them] same goes for the lateral movements etc.Compliments from Holland they send you the wrong Friesians!
If someone breeds them the whole of Greece will get a wrong picture of this breed!
Jos
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 8:31 am:
Thank you very much for the info, Jos.
The guy who bought these horses went to Holland and hand picked them himself (as if he'd seen a Friesian before), so the Dutch are not to blame.
Their offspring is still 2yo or younger, so we don't know about their work ethics yet. Character, conformation and movement of these youngsters is very good.
It may be just my idea, after all. I only rode them for a couple of weeks after they arrived, it could well be an acclimatization issue. They're broodmares and have gone unridden since, so I don't have anybody else's take on these. I may go try another go with them when I have the time. If for nothing else, just because they left me with a sour taste for the breed and I don't like this.
Christos
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 11:27 am:
Great discussion!
I went to a local horse show last evening and there were 5 Friesians in the English open class--1 dressage, 2 hunt, 2 pleasure--out of some 25 entrants. The size of the Friesians ranged from very large and heavily muscled to small and lightly built. (The largest was a gelding ridden dressage and he placed 3rd.)
I've never ridden one so I can't comment, but their lively action is beautiful to watch!
jos--very interesting comment re: flying changes. I've heard the same thing.
Lori--like DrO, I'm interested in what you find out about a hot/humid climate and 'cold-weather' breeds. I can understand your attraction to this breed. Every time I see one I'm totally captivated!
dyd
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