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The Friesian (or Frisian) horse breed are a relatively rare, black colored breed that originated in Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. Breeding Friesian Horses and dealing in them was very important for the Friesians. The monks in the many monasteries in Friesland before the reformation did a lot of horse breeding. Formerly used as warhorses, the black pearls of the north have come a long way.

Friesian horses are dramatic, graceful, and very fairytale-like with long, wavy manes and tails. They are unusually friendly, well mannered and gentle by nature. Friesian horses are really peaceful and sweet, so much so that in Holland, they often carry stallions round with just a halter on. Friesian horses are popular in both Europe and the United States, and are often used today for Dressage competition and pleasure riding. Friesian and Friesian-mixed horses can do well in dressage competition due the breed’s strong intellect, appearance, power, and body control. They also have an intelligent, willing spirit.

There is truly no other breed similar to the Friesian. Graceful enough for riding and powerful enough for farming, the breed has been used by medieval knights, 17th-century cavalry and World War II soldiers. Friesian horses are always black dressed up with the important characteristics of the breed; the luxuriance of the mane, forelock, tail and the fetlocks.

Today, there are two distinct conformation types of the Friesian horse. The baroque type has the more robust build. The modern, sport horse type is finer-boned.

Due to the strict breeding regulations of this breed there are less then 100 approved breeding stallions in the world and approximately 20 here in North America. Therefore purebred Friesians are considered somewhat of a rarity here. Due to a strict process of selection over the centuries, these are also the movement characteristics that are deeply embedded in the genetics of the Friesian breed. This also applies to the unique character of the Friesian horse: lively, intelligent, honest and reliable, always willing to work, but as proud as the Frisians themselves.

As hard as it might be to believe, the breed nearly became extinct on several occasions over time. Due to fuel rationing during World War II the Freisian’s farm and carriage use was revived, saving the breed long enough for both its population and popularity to rebound. Due to the fuel shortages, Dutch farmers turned to horses for transportation and fieldwork. The Friesian is one of the best carriage horses in the world. Due to its flashy appearance, the Friesian has become popular in the film industry. The breed owes much of its current popularity to the appearance of the Friesian stallion Othello in the 1985 film, Ladyhawke, which ignited a worldwide interest in these horses.

The modern day Friesian horse is as popular today as it has ever been, used both in harness and under saddle. With that type of versatility, they will be around for a long time.

Do you want more information on Friesians? Then visit http://www.ElegantHorsePictures.com/friesian-horse-pictures.html where you can view prints by artists Lesley Harrison and Janet Griffin-Scott

Author: Patrick Mooney
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Merriam Webster online defines dressage as “the execution by a trained horse of precision movements in response to barely perceptible signals from its rider.”

In the days of Xenophon 2,500 years ago, dressage was more than a sport and a hobby. At that time the skill of horses in battle and hunting were a determining influence in the outcome of a conflict and the survival of a society.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, horses were a major factor in many crucial battles that shaped the course of history. Just a couple of examples are the battle of Poitiers where Charles Martel finally broke the force of the Moslem invasion of Europe in 732 and the lifting of the Siege of Vienna by the cavalry of Jan Sobieski in 1683 when the Turks had nearly taken the city.

Xenophon, known as a lover of horses and credited with founding the discipline, expressed the guiding principle of dressage in these words: “What the horse does under compulsion…is done without understanding…and there is no beauty in it.”

Maneuvers like the levade and piaffe, when properly performed, enabled riders to create havoc among enemy troops. This teamwork between horse and rider could only be achieved by long and rigorous training. For the best results, the horses had to be trained in such a way that they were not machines dominated by their riders, but proud, courageous animals anxious to perform for love of their riders. A well trained horse could prove more strategic than a dozen foot soldiers in a battle. The sheer psychological impact of these powerful animals was helpful in turning the course of battle. They certainly were a huge help to Cortez in conquering the Aztecs who were so awed by these creatures.

Today, dressage is a refined sport pursued by hundreds of thousands. Its ideal practice is one in which both horse and rider benefit mentally and physically. Consideration of the whole horse greatly enhances dressage training. No amount of long drills and hard training can produce what the combination of technical skill and understanding yield. Fortunate is the horse whose rider pursues technical mastery as well as deep consideration of the horse as a whole.

Bayard Fox has been riding for 70 years on six continents and has ridden enough miles to circle the globe several times. He is owner and founder of Equitours Worldwide Horseback Riding Vacations. He and his wife also own the Bitterroot Dude Ranch where they raise and train Arabian horses.

Author: Bayard R Fox
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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