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Post by lawyerbunny on Jan 19, 2013 19:19:33 GMT 1
Exciting times ahead, with the prospect of another new horse on our yard when a friend and her husband join us...
They are currently horse hunting and have come across a Friesian for sale. They're experienced riders and owners of many years but Friesians are new to all of us. I must confess to having no experience of Friesians and would be very grateful if anyone who does could share their wisdom please. Thanks in advance!
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Post by bertie666 on Jan 19, 2013 19:38:09 GMT 1
I got one back in may  Temperament wise - cant fault her, she's very sane - sensible, if she spooks or looks at something there is an obvious reason sort of thing. Riding wise + groundwork she is very heavy on the forehand, very unaware of her bulk and was very very rude and bargey when I got her (obv previous owners fault ). Im working on getting her off the forehand ridden but its a very slow process as its so unnatural for her breed. The trot is very hard to ride, or I find it hard  , and please dont ask me to sit to it! The canter is like a rocking horse though  They are prone to SI as a breed so something to look out for. Armana's feet are fab, barefoot and backs self trim. They put on weight at the drop of a hat Cant think of anything to add ?! |
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Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
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Post by Amanda Seater on Jan 19, 2013 19:50:08 GMT 1
I am sure others will follow this but here is my experience of my one Freisian.
Fresians can be genetically prone to uveitis and some neurological disorders.
Mine really didn't gain full balance in himself until he was 6.
They are very intelligent on the whole and because of this have a short attention span when younger in other words don't expect to go round and round the school without doing many different things if you don't want an opinion expressed about how boring you are!
Whilst some are good at dressage some are rather cloddy.
They are bred to TROT canter comes but with some effort of schooling.
Mine was gentle and such a confidence giver once he was established. sadly he got Uveitis and now is losing sight in his remaining eye so no longer a confidence giver as he is very spooky now.
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Post by lawyerbunny on Jan 19, 2013 20:14:30 GMT 1
Many thanks both, all v helpful. I've heard they're slow to mature physically. This one is a youngster who will need bringing on, which they are more than happy to do, nice and slowly. Re. the weight, their last horse was a Haffie with a constant need to keep his weight down, that's really useful to know. Armana is a lovely name, bertie! |
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Post by bertie666 on Jan 19, 2013 20:44:00 GMT 1
Its Hermana on her passport but as Im up North most folk dont pronounce the H lol
Also they are incredibly strong - hence why getting the groundwork in place is a must. Troop might see this but I know hers decimates concrete posts.....i think through itching (troop?!)
I have to say contrary to Amanda - mine doest seem that bright, if I compare her to Whin she's very slow to learn what you're asking of her, and normally needs several short lessons at it whereas Whin gets things almost instantly lol
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Post by shan on Jan 19, 2013 21:58:37 GMT 1
I absolutely love Friesians and would really like one (at some point!), though I have no experience of them either so this thread is/will be interesting for me too |
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Post by specialized on Jan 19, 2013 22:18:23 GMT 1
It always surprised me how much people lusted after Friesians until I met a couple. The ones I have met have had adorable personalities, one is a very forward-going mare that was a bit too much for the inexperienced rider to manage so she found a rider for her and then found a lovely quiet gelding for herself and is loving him. They are both tending towards chunky so I would echo the good-doer comments.
Hopefully they will find the experience very rewarding.
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Post by bertie666 on Jan 19, 2013 22:23:05 GMT 1
I love her to bits, and am researching breeding from her with an andalusian to get a Warlander Id get another in a heartbeat - and in many ways she's a lot easier than Whin, straight forward to deal with if that makes sense. Its just the heaviness Im struggling with - but working on with help I know they can be light, it just doesnt come easy to her and when shes only ever been a happy hack and is 10 she's a bit set in her ways lol. Amanda do you LIKE their trot?! find it comfortable?? |
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Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
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Post by Amanda Seater on Jan 19, 2013 23:28:38 GMT 1
Bertie666 His collected trot and working trot are lovely but Fresians are NOT easy to sit to. your back has to give miles to be able to absorb the big trot.
Once they are working uphill and off the forehand they are a bit easier to sit to.
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Post by holi on Jan 20, 2013 10:48:51 GMT 1
my friend had one but had to sell him for several reasons although mainly being too wide and string for her. She had bad hips and as a result was in a lot of pain. I think also she didn't treat him correctly having beenn used to TBx and WB and didn't give him the time he needed to mature but having said that she did well with him.
He could be bargy in hand and she did have one big problem for a while as if he got fed up with something he turned for home and took off and she was not strong enough to stop him. Apparently she read that that can be a trait - don't like it, go!
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orangetails
Intermediate Poster
Jay, Lilly and Tangle
Posts: 219
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Post by orangetails on Jan 20, 2013 12:20:11 GMT 1
They are bred as driving horses, so it often amuses/surprises me when people buy them to do dressage - they are just not built for it?! As Bertie says, very on the forehand.
I have known a couple of lovely ones - echo the comments they are BIG - and often have a high head carriage which makes them seem bigger! So could be intimidating to non-horsey OH's :lol: Not my cup of tea at all, and wouldn't suit what I would want to do with a horse - but obviously some people like them because there are a few people locally who have imported or otherwise bought one in the last few years...
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Post by bertie666 on Jan 20, 2013 12:59:46 GMT 1
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Post by curlytobiano on Jan 20, 2013 14:12:29 GMT 1
oh wow Bertie - I love the feathers poking out under the bandages!! What a beautiful boy :-)
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Post by heather on Jan 20, 2013 15:45:34 GMT 1
I have worked with a lot of Friesians over the years, and the better bred ones with good conformation are absolutely suited to dressage, having fantastic natural rhythm and cadence. The canter sometimes needs to be taught, but once established is massively uphill!
The trot can be HUUUUGE to sit to, and this sometimes is what causes problems for the less experienced rider. Depending on the bloodlines, they can be very calm, or really pretty hot! So again, they are not for everybody, but the best are simply incredible!
Heather
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Post by lawyerbunny on Jan 20, 2013 16:09:40 GMT 1
Very many thanks everyone. Fantastic pictures bertie - I love the bandage/feather combo too! Will pass all of that on. With Twiggles and Ben being chunky cob types and also tending to being on the forehand I suspect we'd make a good group challenge for an instructor!! |
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, and please dont ask me to sit to it! The canter is like a rocking horse though 
