The Friesian (also anglicized, “Frisian”) horse, native to the Friesland region of Holland, has seen a tremendous increase in popular recognition and interest across the globe since it was featured in the 1980’s cult classic, Ladyhawke. Since then, it has had a starring role in blockbusters such as 300, The Mask of Zorro, both installments of The Chronicles of Narnia, and so on. It is also used frequently in historical reenactments.
But how comes the explosion of popularity for this one particular breed? The answer lies in the characteristics specific to Friesians which makes them so attractive to work with.
First of all, the Friesian is held up to intensely rigorous breeding standards. The ideal specimen has pure sable coat; the only “blemish,” permitted on a registered purebred is a small white star on the forehead. Though rare, there are some chestnut-colored Friesians, though these are not generally permitted to register as purebreds. This high standard ensures that only the ideal horses are recognized as purebreds.
But it is their appearance which makes them particularly appealing. The average Friesian stands at five feet, three inches (15.3 hands) high at the withers, though they can be as tall as five feet, eight inches (17 hands). They are also distinguished by their long manes and tails as well as long hair on the lower half of the legs, referred to as, “feathers,” which are purposefully kept untrimmed. This gives the Friesian a rather elegant look.
The strong muscular structure for which it is known–its body type often called the, “Baroque Type”–its high-step, and its sleek, noble look made its predecessors an ideal warhorse among the Romans and subsequently the Europeans during the medieval period. Its body was strong enough to carry heavily armored knights into battle yet light enough to maneuver in the fray.
Later on, its body was lightened through breeding the early Friesians with Purebred Spanish Horse. This made the Friesian more suitable for an urban career: pulling carriages. Not long after, they began to be adopted into riding schools in both France and Spain because they were known to be docile of temperament despite their proud appearance. They were also suitable draft horses and were often used for agricultural purposes.
The contemporary Friesian has been bred to be even lighter than before due to the demand for the “Modern Style,” body type, which means that the horse must be finer-boned and sprightlier.
However, Friesians are praised for maintaining their eye-catching appearance, their gentle personalities, and their striking high-step despite modifications in breeding. And it is because of those traits that they have been applied to so many diverse fields, even (and perhaps especially) filmmaking.
If you are searching for Friesians for sale, visit Full Spectrum Stables (http://fullspectrumstables.com/) to be matched with the finest of the breed. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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