Friesian horses are what dreams are made of; damsels in distress and Knights atop their regal mounts coming to the rescue. The Friesian is a native of the Dutch Province of Friesland. Some believe the breed exhibits characteristics of the prehistoric wild horse that populated Europe. It is a warmblood breed used during the Middle Ages as a durable mount for knights in armor.
The modern Friesian was developed in the 1500s when invading Spanish bred their Andalusians to local Frisian mares. The result was a more versatile and a lighter horse. These horses were favored for High School dressage. During this time the Friesian developed its high stepping gait and its crested neck.
Purebred Friesians almost disappeared in the 19th century when, because of their popularity as carriage horses, it was used to develop other breeds like the Morgan, the Hackney breed and the Orlov Trotter. Post WWI Europe almost saw the extinction of the breed, but by the 1960s, with improving economies the breed was rescued.
US Friesians were brought to New Amsterdam (New York) in the 1600s by the Dutch, however they were crossbred out of existence. Post war immigrants reintroduced the Friesian back to the US and thank goodness for that.
Enjoying all breeds, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
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