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Member Info
Friesian Info
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Friesian
Horse
1) Where did Friesians come from?
Friesian horses originated in Friesland-a province of The Netherlands
(Holland). The Friesian horse, one of Europe's oldest breeds, was originally
imported to North America in the seventeenth century but the breed was totally
lost in North America due to crossbreeding. The Friesian was not reintroduced
to North America until 1974.
2) How do I know I am getting a quality registered Friesian
horse?
The Friesch Paarden Stamboek (FPS) in the Netherlands as the parent studbook
for the Friesian horse and is the registry for Friesian horses worldwide. The
registry, FPS, was founded in 1879 and today's Dutch registered horses are the
result of over a century of rigorous evaluation and selection of breeding
stock. The Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA) works very
closely with the FPS in order to maintain the purity and quality of the breed.
Other organizations may also register Friesian horses, but horses registered
with those organizations may not have met the standards of the FPS and
therefore the horses cannot be recognized by the Dutch Friesian registry. A
horse whose papers are not issued by the Friesch Paarden Stamboek cannot be
recognized by the Friesian Horse Association of North America.
3) What can I use a Friesian for?
Friesian horses are very versatile and can be used in riding for pleasure and
in competition, for dressage, driving for pleasure and in competition and even
for light farm work. Unlike some other European warmbloods, Friesians have not
been bred as jumpers, although some owners enjoy jumping their horses.
For more information see our Friesian Characteristics and Use page.
4) How tall are Friesian horses?
Friesian stallions must be at least 1.60 M (15.3 hands) by the age of four and
mares and geldings must be at least 1.50 M (14.3 hands) to enter the adult
studbooks. The height of 15.2 to 16.0 hands is average, although many horses
are taller or shorter. Average weight is 1300 + pounds.
5) How many Friesians are there?
There are currently more than 30,000 Friesians registered worldwide in the
Dutch Friesch Paarden Stamboek. Approximately 2,000 of those horses are in
North America.
6) What colors do Friesians come in?
The only color a studbook-registered Friesian comes in is black, however this
may range from very dark brown or black-bay to true black. Many Friesians
appear black bay when their coats are shedding or when they have become sun or
sweat bleached. Selective breeding minimizes white markings and the only white
marking allowed on a studbook-registered horse is a small star.
7) Is cross breeding allowed?
No. The rules of FHANA strictly forbid the breeding of FPS registered Friesian
horses with other breeds.
8) What is a judging?
A judging (keuring, in Dutch) is an evaluation of horses here in North America,
by officials from the Netherlands. Once a year, teams of officials qualified by
the Friesch Paarden Stamboek are sent to North America to inspect or "judge"
our horses. This is a thorough evaluation process that helps us to upgrade our
breeding programs. The horses are judged in-hand and 60% of the evaluation is
based on the quality of movement and 40% is based on conformation.
Most Friesians are judged twice in their life: once when they are foals-for
entry in the Foal Book-and again when they are three years or older and
eligible to enter the adult studbooks. When a foal or horse is judged, it may
be awarded a premie, or "premium". This is an award used to designate the
horses with the most desirable characteristics. A first premium is best, second
is very good, third is most common and some horses will not receive a premium.
The premiums awarded to each horse appear on his or her registration
certificate.
In addition to the premium, as each mare or gelding is judged for admission to
the adult studbooks, it is ranked using a "linear score" sheet. This linear
score assigns positive or negative point scores to many individual aspects of
conformation, breed characteristics and movement as exhibited by the horse. The
score sheet for each individual horse is given to the owner. In addition, the
linear scores for all the offspring of each stallion are combined and
published. This composite score provides a way of evaluating the strengths and
weaknesses that each stallion passes on to his offspring. By matching the
strengths and weaknesses of the mare and stallion, we can use the linear scores
to choose the best match between sire and dam in order to continually improve
the breed. (The linear score sheets issued by the FPS are, of course, in
Dutch. For an English version of a linear scoring form, check here.)
10) What is a "star"?
When a mare or gelding enters the adult studbook, the best 25 to 30% are
awarded "Star" status. This designation appears on the horse's registration
certificate. The very, very best of the Star Mares can be awarded the
designation of "Model". Mares can receive the designation preferent
("Preferred"), if four of their offspring achieve star status or better. And
mares with three offspring performing at the top levels in competitive sport
can receive the designation of prestatie, or "Performance Mother".
11) How does a stallion get breeding approval?
In the registry of the Friesch Paarden Stamboek, only Approved Studbook
Stallions can sire horses that are eligible for entry in the main studbook
registers. There are approximately 75 Approved Stallions in the world today and
about a quarter of those are in North America. The selection and testing
requirements for a stallion to gain breeding approval are so rigorous that only
a handful of young stallions are approved each year. And four years after
approval, the stallion's offspring must demonstrate to the studbook inspectors
that the stallion makes a positive impact on the breed or his approval will be
withdrawn. It is a merciless selection process that insures that only the very
best stallions will influence the future of the Friesian horse.
12) Where can I get a Friesian and how much will it cost?
Friesian horses are still something of a rarity in North America and there is a
big demand. While Friesians usually cost more than an average saddle horse,
prices vary widely depending on age, gender, quality, training and seller. The
Association cannot refer you to specific farms, but many breeders and sellers
with horses for sale advertise in the on-line Breeder's List, or in a printed
version which is available from FHANA for free.
13) Are there any books about Friesians available?
Unfortunately there are not many books on the Friesian horse and the books
which are available tend to be written in Dutch.
14) Who do I contact if I require more information?
Much information about the Friesian horse can be found at FHANA's web site at
www.fhana.com. FHANA has a color brochure and printed List of Breeders
that can be obtained fee of charge by writing or emailing FHANA and
specifically requesting those items. In addition most of the information on
FHANA's web site is also available in printed form. If you would like a copy,
send $5 (US funds) to the address below with a note requesting the Information
Packet.
You can contact FHANA by mail at:Friesian Horse Association of North America
P. O. Box 11217
Lexington, KY 40574-1217
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