For the first time they heard about Friesian horses in the 13th century, in those days it was in great demand. These hardy horses carried knights with their armor. The character of the friezes is very calm, friendly, but if we talk about sports riding, then this breed is not very suitable. With these beauties you can endlessly take pictures, walk quietly, but their lynx is weak.
How did the breed appear?
Friesian horses are among the oldest in all of Europe. His homeland is the northern province - Holland - Friesland. Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of ancient horses (ancestors of the Frisians). Initially, the horses were completely different, this happened more than 700 years ago. In those days, the requirements for artiodactyls were somewhat different than now.
When Spain conquered the Netherlands, this happened in 1569-1648, the blood of two types of horses (Andalusian and Barbary) was poured into the friezes. This has led to power, stamina, and fast learner.
Although the Friesian horses were not pure trotters, but among this breed there were individuals that ran trot for a long time. Handsome men and energetic friezes could move not only in harness, but also saddled.
Their beautiful posture, high endurance and strength fell for the ceremonies. This breed of horses and in our time adorn the Queen's golden carriage. When the time came for kings, paraphernalia became superfluous, and from that time on, friezes were needed for riding.
Description of appearance
The most important sign of Friesian horses is an absolutely black suit, without any impurities. There are also additional things by which you can determine that this is a frieze:
- strong and muscular physique with the correct proportions;
- long neck with a bend;
- the height of the animal is about 165 cm;
- legs are beautiful, even and well developed, with a thick coat underneath;
- elongated housing;
- long and soft back;
- Spanish head
- low withers;
- ribs are round;
- long mane and bangs;
- black suit.
You do not need to cut wool with mane, so by the age of five they will grow over it. With a quick run, the wool scatters beautifully against the wind.
Character and Learning
The friezes not only have a beautiful appearance, but also move while running, because the horse raises its legs high. For this reason, the Frisian lynx seems more graceful than other breeds. Grooms this run is called a carriage ride. Horses do not ride very quickly on flat ground, but if they have snow under their feet, running will be quick and easy at the same time.
When a breeding inspection takes place, attention is concentrated on the course and the lynx. In pure breed, the step is fourfold, that is, a horse strikes hooves on the ground 4 times in a row. While walking or jogging, the step is smooth and uniform.
Friesian horses are energetic, but at the same time calm and balanced. They are very hardy, so they are often used to teach beginners in riding. Horses are distinguished by kindness and humility, devoted to the owner.
Types of friezes
Nowadays, there are several suits of friezes, because experts were not going to leave one suit, they left features of friezes, but they changed their appearance. This allowed them to sell a lot of horses to fans of different colors and exterior.
Today dressage is divided into 2 types: sports and calm. Holland breeders have directed all their efforts to breeding horses for the listed trips.
The first type of "old" called Baroque is distinguished by a small step, short, but high neck, short and at the same time wide body and small stature. For example, the baroque breed is the Andalusian horse.
The second sports type is a move with free movements, they also have a light skeleton and high growth. If you compare the two breeds, you can see a big difference:
- baroque lower and shorter than a sports horse;
- the baroque has straight shoulders;
- Baroque growth from 145 to 162 cm, and the growth of a sports horse from 160 to 173 cm;
- on the metacarpals of the first variant there are fewer friezes than the second.
At the Russian stable called "Kartsevo" they breed friezes, previously they bought sports horses, since he is able to perform original riding elements.
Freeze suits
A little earlier, there were a lot of suits of Friesian horses, even the foreskins were present. Today they have become strictly related to suits of friezes: males should only be black without any marks, and a star in the forehead is allowed in females.
They managed to destroy the rest of the stripes, but still, red babies can occasionally be born. Although they are purebred, they are not allowed to breed them all. Black horses are beautiful and look great in carriages, but in the 20th century it became clear that people stopped liking large black males with a long mane.
In the 2000s, a photo of a white Friesian horse appeared in Runet, but it is not completely white, but rather light gray. As it turned out, this is not a thoroughbred horse, but a mixture of Frisian and Arabian breeds.
The manufacturer of Arabian horses is a gray horse, since the gray hair gene is superior to other stripes. When crossing Appaloosa with Frieze, we get a forearm suit. This crossing, produced since the 90s, helps to get colored stallions, the exterior will look like friezes.
Nutrition
Nutrition of horses should occur in accordance with all the rules, since the health and life expectancy of the animal depends on the diet. Feed horses should be thrice a day, and varied, and clean water should be around the clock.
Horses
When compiling a diet, one should take into account the weight, daily load and other features of the horse. If the horse was involved in a run, walk, or she drove a carriage, then more feed will be needed to restore strength. If the horse sat idle all day, then a lot of food is not needed.
The table provides the daily diet for feeding one adult:
Feed | Quantity per head, kg |
Oats | 5 |
Bran | 1,5 |
Hay | 13 |
Carrot | 3 |
Mineral supplements | 0,2 |
Barley | 2 |
Salt | 0,04 |
Mares
During pregnancy, the mare must be properly fed so that she gives birth to a healthy and well-developed foal. In summer, they must graze in the pasture for 6 hours a day. As for the winter months, you need to feed:
- bran;
- barley;
- oats;
- corn
- oilcake;
- hay;
- silo.
To provide the mare with the necessary vitamins, carrots are offered to her about 7 times a day, she is the most valuable lure. Germinated grain is also necessary for a pregnant mare, as her body is replenished with vitamins A, B and E.
In addition, pregnant mares need salts, calcium and phosphorus, which allow all processes to proceed correctly. Males who do not get enough minerals begin to gnaw at the earth, sand, chalk, feces - all this indicates a lack of nutrients.
Horse Care
Friesian horses are unpretentious in grooming and keeping, they can easily tolerate a sharp change in weather conditions and climate. Since lush brushes are present on the legs, the legs are resistant to many diseases of the lower extremities. After each walk you need to clean the hooves.
A layer of litter from sawdust will naturally dry the brushes on the feet, which will prevent the development of infections. Careful care is also required for the mane and tail, they must be washed and combed to make the horse look great.
If there is a desire and opportunity, it will be beautiful if the owner braids the tail and mane in a pigtail, and in the morning he will unravel them and comb them. If there is no free time, then you can braid for a couple of three days and only then they can be braided and combed. This will allow the bangs, mane and tail to be silk, shiny and wavy.
You can wash your tail with air conditioning a couple of times a week. If the coat is black, then it is cleaned every day, and twice a week it is sprayed with air conditioning. Hooves are lubricated and cleared once every 45 days.
If you want the hooves to shine, they need to be lubricated with oil or a special cream. Thanks to this, the hooves will shine, and the hoofed horn will grow back correctly.
Keeping horses
Before buying a horse you need to ask yourself the question: is there any place to put it, is there space for walking, will it be possible to graze it and other important nuances. There are two options for keeping horses: a stable for rent or your own stable in your yard or in the country.
Paid stable for rent
This option has many advantages, firstly there is no need to clean the horse, feed it and generally take care of it, all this is done by an employee. The downside is that it is not known which hands the horse will fall into, there are such workers who need to be monitored and directed in the right direction all the time. Renting a stable costs a lot of money, apart from the fact that you need to regularly get vaccinated, call a veterinarian, etc. (this is paid separately).
Own stable
Thus, keeping a horse is much cheaper and you can create any conditions for your pet. But constant working moments are added: cleaning, grooming, taking a walk, etc. A room for 1 or 2 horses is easy to build with your own hands.
If it was decided to keep the animal in its stable, it is necessary that everything is ready before the purchase. In addition, you need a separate room where all inventory and food will be stored separately. The main condition is a large room for walking with green grass.
There are some recommendations for your own stable:
- the room should be spacious, dry and warm, and drafts are unacceptable;
- lighting will be better natural, but artificial;
- good stable ventilation should be present;
- the stall must be made free with the door to the grate;
- place for drinking bowls, feeders and bedding from hay should be considered.
A feeding trough, a drinking bowl and a "nursery" are set to such a height where the horse’s chest ends. The drinkers and feeders should be fixed well so that they do not fall during eating or drinking. Air temperature should not be below 16 and above 18 degrees, both in winter and in summer.
Fritz breeding
A small number of friezes is determined by the severity of breeding. The stallion can fertilize the female in only 15%, but the reason for this has not yet been found. To completely eliminate this breed, artificial insemination is used. This has its obvious advantages:
- sperm can be frozen at a certain temperature and transported at any distance;
- you can save the sperm of a young elite stallion, while the horse is no longer young;
- the female can be fertilized with fresh sperm, introducing it into the vagina of the mare.
Sperm gets directly into the vagina, mainly through a special tube. It is metal, and is lined with rubber inside. In order that the horse does not kick, he is offered Buserelin - a substance that contains an analogue of gonadotropinol that enhances sexual desire.
The greatest activity occurs from March to June, especially in the daytime, and in winter the sex drive is slowed down. To determine readiness for a mare, ponies are allowed in, he does not reach the mare in growth, but it will be clear whether she lets the stallion in or not.
A mare has a foal for more than a year (about 340 days), two days before the upcoming birth colostrum begins to stand out from their nipples, and a cork leaves the swollen vulva. Not all Friesians themselves can be born; many of them need help. When the muscles contract, stimulants are administered to her, and during the effort the fetus is pulled. Sometimes a mare has to do a cesarean section.
From the newborn, it is necessary to immediately remove the mucus, and the mother is wiped with a dry clean rag. If necessary, an indirect heart massage should be given, after which life can last up to 50 years. For so many years the horse lived in England and died in 2013.
Breeding prospects
Today, Friesian horses are used as a decorative breed. Since they have a beautiful appearance, they are used as a team for smart carriages. No worse they manifest themselves in the park for quiet walks, because even a beginner feels excellent in the saddle.
Although horses are technically suitable for horseback riding in villages, this is rarely practiced. This happens because the magnificent tail and friezes get dirty very quickly and burdocks stick to them. Because of this, the appearance loses all its beauty.
Today, friezes in Russian latitudes have a narrow niche of application, so they are not very popular.
Advantages and disadvantages
Nowadays, there are approximately 60,000 Friesian horses, half of them live in the Netherlands. According to statistics, this breed is considered to be in demand and this is due to the following advantages:
- Beautiful appearance. Throughout the land, Frisians are greatly appreciated for their elegant exterior. Horses are ideal for exhibitions, celebrations, tourist purposes. The standard color is black, but sometimes white stallions are born, but this is considered a marriage and they are not allowed to breed.
- The rider is comfortable. In the description of the breed this criterion is not mentioned, but as for the reviews of the riders, this is a very noticeable plus.
- Calm disposition. Friezes are easy to learn, obedient and loyal to their master.
In addition to the positive aspects, there are also negative ones:
- Compliance with the regime. Although the horse is not very demanding, nevertheless, for proper development, good health and beautiful appearance, she needs to be given proper care and proper feeding.
- Not suitable for sports walks. The horse is not intended for sports walks. This breed is often used in a single sports direction called driving.
- Long hair on the lower extremities. Since the damp climate in Russian latitudes is a direct reason for the development of fungus on the hooves.
Scope of application
This breed of horses is more suitable for a photo shoot, because it lacks the quality of movements for modern dressage. They are also not suitable for jumping - the horse is heavy and will quickly tear off its legs.
They are not afraid of the public, a large crowd of spectators and loud music. For this reason, friezes often perform at events and celebrations.
Friesian horse price and where to buy / sell?
You can buy this breed of horses in any city, but most of all they are bred in the Netherlands, from where they can deliver the animal to anywhere in the world. Horses are not cheap, one person should pay at least 10,000 euros or more. The price depends on the pedigree of the horse.
These horses are sold in large cities, the breed is considered to be elite, so they are not cheap.
Reviews
Below are reviews of real people in relation to Friesian horses.
Karpenko Vitaly, 32 years old. In our stable there is a Friesian horse purchased in Kartsevo. Her character is very good, kind, but I do not really like the quality of the ride. They can be ridden by those who don’t fall off their horses, but don’t have a serious ride level, for beginners this breed will not work.
Svetlana Zarubezhna, Voronezh. I bought a Friesian horse in 2001, at that time equestrian sport was just beginning, but I had not heard about Dutch horses. At a young age, having a frieze was cool. As the horse did not try, still he was far from our Ukrainian riding horses. Sitting on it was not very comfortable, because the neck interfered. Frieze is more suitable for photo shoots, because the appearance is very beautiful.Soon I sold my horse and bought a sports horse, and the new mistress rides a horse through the fields and she really likes it.
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The Friesian horses are popularly called black pearls and for good reason, because the animal has an elegant beautiful suit with beautiful movements. Thanks to this, horses have gained popularity all over the planet. To date, friezes are actively bred in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Netherlands. As for horse racing, these horses are not used in this direction.
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