Friesian

The Friesian originates from the province of Friesland in the northern Netherlands. This region, bordered by the North Sea, shaped a rustic, enduring, and powerful breed.

Used as a warhorse since the Middle Ages, the Friesian has endured through the centuries, retaining its identity thanks in particular to the Frisians’ attachment to their horse. The establishment of the stud book in 1879 made it possible to preserve this emblematic bloodline.

The Friesian is a breed with a unique genetic value, maintained with extreme rigor by the Dutch stud book (KFPS). Thanks to strict selection and full traceability of lineages, the Friesian is one of the few European breeds to have preserved such a marked morphological and behavioral homogeneity. Its genetic heritage has also been used to improve other draft or sport breeds. However, this purity makes the breed vulnerable to inbreeding, which explains the attention paid to the diversity of lineages and the hereditary health of the breeding stock.

The Friesian is overall a robust breed, but it presents certain genetic predispositions that require monitoring. Among the most frequent are :

-Tendon fragility, notably in horses subjected to intensive dressage or driving

-Sensitivity to mud fever and recurrent summer dermatitis (DER)

-Documented cases of hydrocephalus or dwarfism, rare but considered in selection

-Heightened vigilance on certain bloodlines at risk of megaesophagus syndrome or myopathies



Breeders affiliated with the KFPS perform genetic tests and enforce rigorous veterinary checks to limit the transmission of these conditions. Careful management, an adapted environment and a balanced diet generally enable the Friesian to remain healthy throughout its life.

The Friesian is one of Western Europe’s oldest equine breeds, with origins dating back to the Roman era. Used as a warhorse in the Middle Ages for its power and presence, it later became highly prized in European royal courts for dressage and parade driving. In the 19th century, mechanization and crossbreeding with heavier breeds nearly led to its disappearance. In 1879, the founding of the Koninklijk Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS) ensured the breed’s preservation and the revival of rigorous selection.

The Friesian is known for its gentle and steady temperament. Intelligent, it enjoys learning and easily cooperates with its rider. Its sensitivity makes it attentive to the slightest cues, while preserving a calm and balanced nature. It suits both patient beginners and experienced riders seeking a reliable partner.

You don’t own a Friesian; you accompany it. It moves with heart, stops with you, and follows without question — as long as you treat it with respect.

Historically raised in Friesland, in the northern Netherlands, the Friesian remains highly prevalent there today. The breed has been widely exported around the world, notably to Western Europe, North America, and Australia. In France, several high-quality studs are established in regions such as Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire, and the South-West. These breeders maintain close ties with the Dutch stud book (KFPS), ensuring selection in accordance with the original standards. The Friesian is often reared in structures focused on show performance, leisure or competition driving, and, more recently, amateur dressage.

The Friesian breed continues to generate international enthusiasm, prized for its aesthetic qualities and versatility. The KFPS upholds selection goals focusing on health, longevity, and gait improvement, while preserving the breed’s traditional traits. There is a growing demand for Friesians capable of performing in amateur dressage, yet retaining their baroque charisma for shows. The primary challenge for the future remains maintaining genetic diversity to prevent inbreeding, as well as adapting the breed to modern sporting demands without betraying its identity.