brief history of the friesian

The friesian horse originated in Friesland, one of 12 provinces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Holland), situated in the northwest of Europe. Friesland is an old country dating to 500 B.C, when the Friesians settled along the coast of the North Sea. They were tradesmen, seafarers, farmers
(the friesian cow also originates here) and horse breeders.

The Friesian horse descends from the Equus robustus. During the 16th & 17th centuries, but probably also earlier, Arabian blood was introduced, especially through Andalusian horses from Spain. This has given them the high knee-action, the small head and the craning neck. The Friesian horse has been kept free from the influence of the English Thoroughbred & is noted for its kind temperament and is considered a warm blood. During the last 2 centuries it has been bred pure.

Through the centuries the Friesian government has made many regulations in order to safeguard good breeding. Now all recognized friesians have to be registered with The Friesch Paarden Stamboek (the friesian studbook). Since 1986 it became compulsory for FPS registered horses to have a number tattooed on their tongues as foals. Foals registered since 1997 have been given a unique microchip instead of a tongue tattoo. The tongue tattoo or microchip should always match the data recorded on the FPS registration papers.

Friesian horses are always black. White markings are not allowed.
They have a long, thick, flowing mane & tail and pronounced fetlock hair. Under no circumstances is it permissible to dock the tail of a Friesian and, in fact, trimming of any hair from mane, tail or legs is frowned upon.

The Friesian Horse holds its head high & proud with an arching neck, the body strong & deep with a sloping shoulder. The rear quarters are sloping with a somewhat low set tail. Registered Friesian stallions must be 160cm by age 4 & mares 150cm, although anywhere between 158cm & 165cm is considered ideal. Currently there are less than 300 known registered Friesians in the UK.

EXPLANATION OF THE GRADING PROCESS & TERMINOLOGY

All foals can be presented to the Keurings for grading & up to the age of 3 they are awarded Premies. After the age of three they can still be awarded a premie but can then be entered into the Studbook (STB), or go for Ster status.

Keuring - These are the shows where the judging process takes place. Horses are judged 40% on conformation & 60% on movement. At a Keuring a horses can be awared a premie, ster or now known as star status.

Premie - Only the best quality horses are awarded premies. A 1st Premie is the highest award to the top 5% of horses presented. A 2nd premie will be awarded to the top 15% & a 3rd premie to the top 25%. If a foal/horses fails to be awarded a premie at a grading it will show on their papers as 'niet geprimeerd'.

Ster - Also known as Star is awarded to horses showing a much higher quality & is awarded to around 20% of Friesian horses. This status is awarded to mare, geldings & stallions. The FPS publishes the results of the offspring from the qualified stallions which make Ster status. Some Stallions have a Ster(star) above 50% & that is high, mostly they get a % of 35%. Our partner in Holland who bred Tsjerk 328, this horse is the highest star breeder & almost every year he achieves a 52% Star Status!

Stamboek - Studbook (STB). Both mares & geldings can be entered into the Studbook from the age of 3. To be entered they must meet a certain requirement and be a good representation of the breed with no white markings, although a small white star may be permitted. If they qualify their height will also be registered & shown on the papers.

Veulenboek - Foalbook - Foals are entered into this book & issued with papers. The microchip details & any premies will be shown on their papers.

Stam - Lineage of a horse on the Mothers side.

Model - Awarded to top 1%. Have to be at least 7 years of age. This is based on various factors including, conformation, movement & performance. Only 8 model mares are chosen.

Preferent - Awared to a mare who has 4 or more offspring who have received Ster Status or to a Stallion (approved) who has a high percentage of Ster/Model daughters or Approved Stallion sons.

Prestatie- (Sportmare) - Awarded to mares who has a minimum of 4 offspring (mares,geldings or stallions) which receive a high dressage qualification of Z or higher. Or a qualification before the Coach or show riding before the Friesian Sjees (national championships).

THE HIGHEST qualification a mare can get is Model, Preferent& Prestatiemerrie. The Model mare Wijkje (mother of Tsjerk 328) & also bred by our partner in Friesland received that qualification.

In breeding Co-efficiency - All Friesian horses have a Inbreeding Co - efficiency of which it should be no more than 12% but of course less is better.

for more information about the Friesian horse visit: www.wikipedia.org

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