Horse breed

Zwart als de nacht

Friesian horse

Origin: Friesland (NL)
Height: 155–170 cm
Colour: Black only
Studbook: since 1879
Life expectancy: 25–30 years

Twice nearly lost

History

Medieval

Knight's mount

Already mentioned by Roman chroniclers; carried knights in full armour — a sturdy land horse of the Frisian marshes.

16th–17th c.

Baroque horse

Iberian blood introduces the arched neck and knee action — the Friesian becomes the court horse of baroque riding.

1879

Studbook

Foundation of the "Friesch Paarden-Stamboek" to save the pure type from the trotter craze.

1913

The low point

Only three purebred licensed stallions remain. A strict purebred programme saves the breed at the last minute.

Today

Global comeback

Around 80,000 registered Friesians in over 40 countries; the KFPS has held a Royal warrant since 1954.

The breed survived a second crisis in the mid-20th century — tractors displaced the working horse — thanks to leisure riding and spectacular show and film appearances.

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Unmistakable

Appearance

The neck

High-set and strongly arched — the most striking feature. Paired with a wedge-shaped, refined head and small, attentive ears.

The black

Only black horses are registered; the only permitted marking is a small star. In summer sun the coat fades to "summer black".

The hair

Often floor-length mane, dense tail, pronounced feathering — traditionally left uncut.

The body

Compact baroque horse: deep chest, well-placed shoulder, slightly sloping croup. 155–170 cm, 550–700 kg.

Baroque type

More compact, rounder, higher knee action, fuller feathering — the classic look for driving, shows, and baroque riding.

Sport type

Lighter, longer-legged, more ground-covering — bred specifically for modern dressage; today the direction preferred by the KFPS.

Gentle giant

Character

Exceptionally people-oriented, gentle and willing — "lively yet composed". Attentive under saddle, not easily spooked, and calm under pressure: a legacy of centuries as a war, work, and carriage horse.

Many Friesians actively seek closeness to their people and learn quickly — though with inconsistent handling they charmingly develop ideas of their own.

Gaits

"Black as the night, light as a feather in trot."

Trot: The trademark: high, cadenced, with pronounced suspension — often called "floating".
Walk: Industrious and elevated.
Canter: Uphill and powerful; the compact build limits ground cover — collection yes, speed work no.

Everyday life with a Friesian

Care & husbandry

Keeping & feeding

Easy keeper: hay, pasture, and minerals suffice for moderate work; avoid excess weight consistently.
Movement is mandatory: when confined, the breed tends to filled legs.
Cold-hardy, heat-sensitive: shade in summer, cool training times, clipping if needed.
Herd contact: group or open housing with dry footing — constant moisture promotes mud fever in the feathering.

Effort: high

Long-hair grooming

Mane & tail: hand-pick several times a week instead of brushing; often braided for riding.
Feathering: check daily for moisture and scabs — can mask mud fever and CPL.
Coat: groom regularly for the shine; summer sun bleaches — plan turnout times.
Hooves: hard and strong, trimming every 6–8 weeks.

From the arena to Hollywood

Uses

Baroque riding & haute école

Elevation, collection, expression — for centuries the horse for piaffe, passage, and baroque exhibitions.

Dressage

The sport type competes up to medium and advanced levels; some reach Grand Prix.

Driving

Crowd favourite from single to four-in-hand and in front of the traditional Frisian "sjees" carriage.

Show, film & TV

A regular in period and fantasy productions — from "Ladyhawke" to "Zorro" to "Game of Thrones".

Leisure & therapy

Calm and people-oriented — a reliable partner all the way to therapy work.

–

Less suitable

Endurance, long trail rides in heavy terrain, jumping — weight and heat sensitivity set limits.

Stricter than an MOT

Breeding

The mother studbook is the Koninklijk Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS) in Drachten, with branch associations in over 40 countries. Stallions pass a multi-stage licensing with conformation, movement, and veterinary exams plus a performance test — only a fraction of each year is approved.

Because the population traces back to few founders, the KFPS actively manages pairings: published inbreeding and kinship values help keep the genetic base broad.

Ster: Above-average conformation and movement — awarded at shows from age three.
Kroon: Intermediate level for mares: very good scores plus a sport or IBOP performance record.
Model: Highest predicate for mares — conformation, movement, and performance close to the breeding ideal.
Sport: For proven success in dressage or driving competitions.

An honest look

Health

The narrow genetic base has left breed-typical risks. Responsible breeders test and select consistently against them — buyers should know them.

Genetic test ✓

Dwarfism

Recessively inherited; carriers are paired deliberately or excluded.

Genetic test ✓

Hydrocephalus

"Water head", recessively inherited and usually not viable — controllable via testing.

Not testable

Aortic rupture

Elevated risk of ruptures of the main artery — include a cardiovascular check in the pre-purchase exam.

Familial

Megaesophagus

Widening of the oesophagus with swallowing problems and choke.

Manageable

CPL & mud fever

Chronic swelling under the feathering — not curable, but well manageable with consistent care.

Broodmares

Retained placenta

Mares show retentio secundinarum more often than average — veterinary aftercare following birth matters.

With sound breeding and species-appropriate care, Friesians reach 25–30 years. An extended pre-purchase exam is particularly worthwhile with this breed.

What does the black pearl cost?

Buying & costs

The range depends on pedigree, predicates, training, and health status. Running costs match other full-size horses — plus the higher grooming effort.

When buying: verify KFPS papers, ask for the parents' genetic test status, and extend the pre-purchase exam to include cardiovascular diagnostics.

€3,000–7,000: Foal
€8,000–15,000: Leisure horse with basic training
€15,000–40,000+: Ster/Kroon mares & sport horses
Up to six figures: Licensed stallions & top horses

Hall of Fame

Famous Friesians

Goliath

Rutger Hauer's stallion in "Ladyhawke" (1985) — triggered the first international Friesian boom.

Tornado

Zorro's horse in "The Mask of Zorro" (1998), portrayed by Friesian stallions.

Friso

The Dutch royal family's Friesian — a fixture of royal ceremonies.

Uraeus

Friesian stallion alongside Charlize Theron in "The Huntsman".

3 → 80.000: Stallions in 1913 → horses today. One of the most remarkable comeback stories in horse breeding. The central task remains balancing popularity and health — with transparent genetic testing, a controlled inbreeding rate, and a breeding goal that combines expression and rideability.

A breed with genuine celebrity status — on screen and in the show ring.

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Profile: Friesian horse

All figures are editorial reference values.

Origin: Friesland, Netherlands
Height: 155–170 cm
Colour: Always black (rappe)
Weight: 550–700 kg
Studbook: Founded 1879 (KFPS)
Life expectancy: 25–30 years
Types: Baroque & sport type
Trot: High, cadenced, floating
Main uses: Driving, shows, baroque riding
Temperament: People-oriented, willing, calm
Long hair: Abundant mane, tail & feather
Population: ~80,000 in 40+ countries