Friesian - WKTV Journal

By Bill Rinderknecht

WKTV Community Journalist

A Dutch runner leads a Friesian at a Keuring Credit: Cally Matherly

Charlotte and I attended our first Michigan area Keuring event in Ionia in September 2016 based on our desire to “meet” Friesians in person and learn more about those who own them. Like most show horse owners and breeders, the people we met were enthusiastic about their prized animals and were very friendly as they patiently educated us on the breed and the Keuring.

A little Friesian History

The Friesian horse originated in the province of Frieslan in the Netherlands centuries ago, as war horses used by knights and cavalrymen across Europe, even to Rome. Several movies have used Friesians when a big, majestic, proud horse was desired. More recently they were used extensively on European—especially Dutch—farms until tractors effectively took over. The breed went nearly extinct in the 1970s, but due to a concerted effort the breed has made a comeback. Friesians are an exclusive breed, numbering only 45,000 worldwide and 8,000 in North America.

What is a Keuring?

Keuring is a Dutch word meaning inspection. Friesians are inspected annually to determine which ones are worthy of the only certified database of pure bred Friesians in the world. This record is called the KFPS, or Royal Friesian Studbook. Judges are almost always Dutch, certified in the Netherlands to judge the horses against a single standard, a single Friesian ideal. Dutch “Runners” will put the horses through their paces so the judges can evaluate them.

Evaluation Criteria

According to the very thorough Keuring program for the September 2016 event, there are three major areas of Friesian evaluation. They are 1.) Exterior and Movement, 2.) Use—i.e., judged in riding, on a lead, and under harness—and 3.) Vitality and Health (FHANA Royal Friesian, 2016). Today, I’ll address the Breed characteristics that are important to classic Friesians.

What is the Ideal Friesian?

The best Friesians make a luxurious and proud impression. A good-sized stallion will stand 15.5-17.5 hands tall. Evident qualities include a “characteristic front; abundance of hair; black color; and roomy, elevated gaits (knee action)” (FHANA Royal Friesian, 2016, p. 57). The Friesian’s head is “small, noble, expressive” with eyes “placed far apart” (FHANA Royal Friesian, 2016, p. 57). There are several other detailed descriptive traits of the head, which only an experienced Keuring official might notice. The neck is long and elevated and muscular. This combination presents a very distinct appearance. Their hair (mane, tail, feathers) is ABUNDANT! Owners I’ve consulted say they must regularly trim the tail so it won’t drag the ground. Feathers refer to hair that grows on each leg around the fetlock (just below the canon bone), reaching down to the hoof. This hair adds to the regal appearance of Friesians as they prance. And oh, how they prance! Some breeds must be taught how to do it; it comes naturally for Friesians.

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By Bill Rinderknecht

WKTV Community Writer

The Friesian Connection will host its Annual Open House and Ice Cream Social Saturday, May 6 from 1 – 4 p.m. on its beautiful acreage just minutes from downtown Grand Rapids at 2685 144th Ave., Dorr.

Come for an afternoon of fun and fellowship and visit the Friesian Connection Stallion Station. Here, the public will see these majestic creatures up close and personal. The afternoon will include the presentation of stallions under saddle and driving, horses at liberty, a petting barn, and all the ice cream you can eat.

This year the Open House will feature Hessel 480, a majestic stallion direct from the Netherlands, with special guest Petra Zeelen who is a renowned trainer and clinician from the Netherlands. Also, Spring is foaling season for local Friesians, so visitors will be able to witness these beautiful colts, llies, and mares up close.

The Friesian is a horse breed originating in Friesland in the Netherlands. The conformation of the breed resembles that of a light draught house with the animal being graceful and noble for its size. IT is believed that during the Middle Ages, ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horse through continental Europe because their size enabled them to carry a fully dressed knight.

In 1984, Robert and Arlene DeBoer imported three Friesian Star mares from the Netherlands. From there, the Friesian Connection expanded into a well-established breeding program, training, selling and importing horses from the Netherlands. Today, the Friesian Connection has more than 50 Friesian horses on its 400-arce farm with the entire family involved in the business.

The Friesian Connection has a history of hosting Friesians owners to market Friesian horses and services. This tradition began back in the 1980s when the DeBoers and other early Friesian import partners began to market their stock for sale and stud services. It has since grown to be a huge event that attracts enthusiasts from across the Midwest. Remember to bring your horse loving friends and family to this special, free event.