Friesian horse price ranges are one of the most wide ratios in the equestrian business of selling and buying these animals. The prices for these lovely animals vary somewhere around 3 000 dollars to as much as 50 thousand dollars, even more.
The price of a Friesian horse varies so much because the price itself is determined by several major factors. Purebred Friesian horses, for example, cost somewhere between 20 thousand and 50 thousand dollars, a more realistic price range, determined by the horse‘s age, health and fitness. The lowest price for a weanling (a young horse, just entered adulthood) can cost around 7 thousand US dollars, provided the fact that he has a verified breeding history.
Although Friesian horses are considered rare in the world, their popularity is quite high in the Netherlands where they originated. Approximately 7% of the entire horse population in the country represent Friesian horses. Training a Friesian horse is relatively easy, this type of horse is considered very intelligent and can memorize the necessary commands easily.
The reason why Friesian horses are so expensive is because of their appearance. They have powerful shoulders, a compact muscular body with a strong, sloping hindquarters and low-set tails. Their legs are comparatively short and strong. A Friesian horse also has a long, thick mane and tail, often very wavy, and long, with silky hair on the lower part of the legs—deliberately left untrimmed.
Table Of Contents
- What are Friesian horses good for?
- Are Friesian horses expensive?
- What is the temperament of a Friesian horse?
- Is a Friesian a good first horse?
- Are Friesian horses gentle?
- Are Friesian horses inbred?
- What is the average life expectancy of a Friesian horse?
- Are Friesian horses hard to ride?
- Are Friesian horses good for trail riding?
- Are Friesian horses good for dressage?
What are Friesian horses good for?
Friesian horses have a very wide range of use and are considered one of the most versatile horses that exists. Friesian horses can be used in riding for pleasure, in a competition, for dressage, and even for light farm work.
Although it is not in their nature nor they are usually trained for this kind of activity, Friesian horses jump as well, if taught properly. Friesian horses are considered willing, active, and energetic, but also gentle and attentive as well. A Friesian tends to have great presence and carry itself with elegance.
The main factor where Friesian horses excel is dressage, but they can be used as horses for riding on a trail due to their sensible natures.
Unfortunately, this breed of horses is still recovering from nearly going extinct in the early years of the 20th century. This is one of the reasons they cost so much as well. They are still considered an endangered breed officially.
Due to their elegance, Friesian horses were used mostly to draw carriages and for various horse shows, but their wide spectre of understanding and quick learning allowed them to evolve to satisfy today‘s needs of a potential rider.
Friesian horses can also be good for professional use, but they can be used as a training, first-owned horse for young people due to their famous mild temperament.
Are Friesian horses expensive?
As mentioned before, because of the fact that their species had nearly gone extinct and their versatile qualities, Friesian horses are more expensive than the average horse, their price going as high as fifty thousand dollars.
For purebred horses, the price range can be anywhere between 20 thousand to 50 thousand dollars, sometimes even reaching a higher price.
Friesian horses are widely known as excellent dressage horses, so they are quite sought after. These horses possess the desired temperament and athletic ability to perform well in dressage.
Because of their calm and friendly nature, Friesian horses are quite suited for riding and have been used in Europe in this manner for centuries.
Depending on the purity of their breeding, Friesian horses can cost as low as 3 thousand US dollars, but usually they cost a lot more. Finding a purebred Friesian horse under 20 thousand dollars is extremely rare. It is also considered the most beautiful breed in the world, according to some experts. They have originated from a region in the Netherlands called Frisia, thus the origin of the horse‘s name.
The life span of Friesian horses is shorter too (up to 16 years of age), compared to those of other horse breeds, that is between 25 and 30 years.
Their versatility when it comes to use, the easy and quick way of teaching how to ride them are some of the reasons for such a high price. But, the main one would be the fact that because of their high quality breeding, Friesian horses are the ideal type of horse for dressage and other disciplines and sports related to horses.
What is the temperament of a Friesian horse?
Friesian horses are very well known for their benevolent nature and mild, kind temperament, they also possess a huge talent for learning, so they are easy to train and have a variety of uses.
Primarily, the high-end purebred Friesian horses are used for dressage, having a type of horse that is willing and able to learn quickly is a great asset to this sport.
Friesian horses are known for their adaptability as well, so using them to ride trails or other relaxing, tourist-related activities is thanks to their well adapted temperament and learning capabilities.
However, as with any rule, there are a few exceptions. Friesian horses are on occasion described as being mischievous, loving, and playful. Horse lovers all around the world often describe this type of horse as a majestic animal that possesses a highly commanding presence.
In order to successfully and properly train a Friesian horse and prevent any unpleasant behaviour in the future, Friesian horses must be trained with care and a proper approach.This is why a professional handler with a certain amount of experience with Friesian horses is the best candidate for the job. Training a Friesian horse requires calm nerves and a lot of patience, since some of them have a tendency to be stubborn and have difficulties following the given instructions.
Because of their impressive intelligence, beginners in the business of training horses may find themselves over their heads, as the animal seems too much to handle, in terms of energy and quick thinking.
However, when properly trained and provided the necessary guidance by a professional trainer who has worked with Friesian horses before, they quickly flourish. Not only does the Friesian horse learn how to follow more complex directives, but they can be applied in a wide scope of activities. Their versatile temperament is the reason for this, of course.
Is a Friesian a good first horse?
A Friesian breed of horse is an excellent choice for a first-time owner or future rider who plan to keep and use the Friesian horse for a longer period of time.
Frisian horses are known for their benevolent and playful character, so any future owner (or rider) will benefit from choosing this horse as his first ride and spend it with joy in the saddle. Provided that Friesian horses fall within the predetermined budget for a first time, all future owners should be rest assured. Even though Friesian horses are on the expensive side of the market, this kind of investment is certainly worth it. In fact, the species itself is considered the most beautiful in the world, according to some horse aesthetics experts across the world.
The best way to approach the issue of training a Friesian horse is to hire an expert regarding this type of horses, preferably one who has already worked with the Friesians horses before. This will ensure that the trainer is well acquainted with the way Friesian horses need to be treated and use their natural intelligence as a great asset.
If not approached properly, the high intelligence possessed by the Friesian breed of horses may be a source of friction and can significantly slow down the training or even stop it in it‘s tracks for a while altogether. But, if the natural instincts possessed by this great, fun-loving animal are pointed and maintained in the correct direction, they can speed up the process significantly.
To conclude, a Friesian horse is a great horse for first-time owners, but requires a certain investment of time and money, in order to fully grasp the unique sensation of riding this majestic and historically well-known horse.
Are Friesian horses gentle?
Friesian horses are actually known throughout the world for their mild temperament and gentle nature. After being trained, each ride provides a rider a fresh batch of lasting bliss, thanks to their specifically benevolent and gentle temperament.
Over the centuries of use, Friesian horses have been used for various tasks,from taking men into combat, to being used as horse-drawn carriage horses and many more. Such versatility in use would not be even remotely possible without the calm manner of behaviour and gentle nature. The Friesian type of a horse is also considered quite joyful and kind in nature, something that has proven to be a very crucial factor when riding into battle or exploring uncharted pieces of territory (something that used to be considered as much as important, as well as a dangerous task). In such cases, where the horse was the main (and also only) way of transportation, the nature of the horse being used may be the ultimate factor that decided if the rider stood any chance of survival.
Although times have drastically changed since the horse was the main means of transportation, horses still play a part in various sporting disciplines and games, tourism and recreational purposes, even work in the field (in some remote areas). The Friesian horse still possesses the same qualities as it did all those centuries ago, it remains the top choice for trail riding, tourist expeditions portraying the past and riding for one‘s satisfaction and enjoyment.
Sometimes, Friesian horses that are very intelligent can be rather willful, if they are not working with an individual who is already acquainted with them. Having previous experience with Friesian horses is the main factor of picking the right trainer.
With all this being said, it is important to remember that Friesian horses are quite gentle and seem to have a certain amount of understanding of their large size and hefty weight.
Although properly training them may seem like a daunting task, the very nature of Friesian horses makes them playful, kind and gentle creatures.
Are Friesian horses inbred?
Although records regarding the ancestry of this specific breed has been recorded in the last one hundred years, Friesian horses are purebred and have been tightly inbred.
Friesian horses are bred specifically among each other to provide the perfect, pure-blooded heritage. Because of this fact, many genetic disorders have been linked to and affected this particular breed of gorse,
Even though the Friesian horse breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion, the modern day Friesian horse is growing in numbers and popularity, used both in harness and under saddle.
Due to inbreeding, several mutations and illnesses may develop over time. The relatively small gene pool and inbreeding are thought to be factors behind most of these unfortunate issues, with the most common being dwarfism. Dwarfism with a stunted leg growth and laxity of connective tissue are usually associated with inbreeding.
When buying a Friesian horse, future owners will almost certainly check their ancestry, in order to determine if a horse is purebred. This has led to the rise of inbreeding among this species of horses, gradually causing genetic mutations that are sometimes visible, but often not. Some other commonly reported conditions related to inbreeding are hydrocephalus (excess of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull) and megaesophagus (chronically dilated esophagus).
Despite the issues caused by interbreeding, Friesian horses remain a very desirable and popular horse on the market with a price tag not many can afford.
What is the average life expectancy of a Friesian horse?
Purebred Friesian horses have a life expectancy of just 16 years, which is significantly lower than the usual lifespan of a horse (25 years to 30 years).
The short life span in purebred Friesian horses may be a consequence of a generational inbreeding. Friesian horses die young because breeders decreased bloodlines through selective breeding, according to some studies.
There are exceptions, of course, and some horses that do not fit in this range. The oldest known Friesian horse is actually 34 years old.
The short life span of a Friesian horse has been an issue for horse breeders for a long time. This means that the training process must be completed as soon as possible, with constant monitoring of the horse, checking if the knees have fused, after which it is safe to ride the horse without permanently harming him.
A shorter life span brings another set of issues. Around the age of 14, Friesian horses tend to have a swayed back and a small bounce when they walk around. Horses are not likely to become senile or as physically frail as elderly humans, but their bodies do go through physical changes as they grow old. Their muscles become smaller, more relaxed and weaker, just like an older human adult.
Finally, the life span of up to 16 implies time limitations for activities this species excels at, such as dressage and others. Because of their wonderful color and striking appearance, Friesian horses are a popular breed in movies and television, particularly in historic and fantasy dramas. They are viewed as calm in the face of the activity associated with film-making, but also look quite imposing and elegant on-camera.
Are Friesian horses hard to ride?
Friesian horses are not difficult to ride at all, even though the sensation while riding this horse is different from riding a regular horse.
In order ride a Friesian horse that also tend to be leaned more forward, and that upright neck is new to a lot of used to lower-headed horses.as with all breeds, it is a matter of learning how to ride this particular horse.Friesian horses are particular endurable during the longer trail rides. Friesian horses are known for their friendly, calm, and even temperament. They are also intelligent and eager to please their rider.
From a dressage perspective, some riders may find Friesian horses more difficult to train due to their high set neck. This often means a different approach to developing muscle on the top line that can be used with other warmblooded horses as well. Secondly, their movements can be more difficult to sit. Some Friesian horses can be stubborn, but most likely this has become a stigma and is on an individual basis, more or less.
Friesian horses are rather unique because they do not quite fit the typical profile or the typical riding horse, yet excel at both riding and driving.
Also, they are portrayed in movies as the horses of warriors and Knights. They are big, tall and flashy which appeals to some and terrifies others.
Are Friesian horses good for trail riding?
Friesian horses are excellent for trail riding, because of their strong, muscular body and the ability to carry their weight without any issues. They also possess a combination of a mild and gentle temperament, so the rider will have no issues while trail riding.
Friesian horses are also well known for their friendly, calm, and even temperament. They are intelligent and eager to please their rider, making them ideal for such an outdoor activity. Trail riding is an exciting and adventurous activity that requires taking precautionary measures and the best equipment (including the riding horse) available. Although it seems odd, due to its robust build and height, Friesian horses are actually a great choice for trail hiking and one of the safest ones.
The Friesian horse is actually very intelligent and a kind animal that learns very quickly and can excel in any discipline at a rapid rate of speed. Trainers who are not familiar with the Friesian horse can often accidentally, due to their calm acceptance of new items, advance the training too quickly. However, when properly and professionally trained, they are suitable for a whole variety of outdoor activities, with trail riding being only one of them.
One of the more interesting things regarding Friesian horses is the fact that they are very intelligent and able to recognize the trail, provided they have been there already. The ride will be very smooth and a pleasant experience for the rider because the horse will not be intimidated at all and will remain perfectly calm.
Are Friesian horses good for dressage?
Friesian horses are actually an excellent choice for those who are enthusiastic about dressage and the majority of Friesian horses are bred specifically for this reason.
The major issue Friesian horses face regarding their participation in dressage is their short life span, which provides a small window of time for them to compete. Friesian horses should not begin training until they are at least 3 years old and need to be gradually eased into their future activities. They should also not be ridden before the age of , when their knees or not yet joint together.
Because of their elegant looks and even temperament, they are very frequently used in dressage. The natural intelligence and instinct they possess is a big asset to this type of activity as well.
Warmbloods are considered the best horses for dressage and some Friesian horses are not even trained to jump, they can still participate both in dressage and jump, perhaps not as much as trained horses. The term “warmblood” marks the types of horses that are free from outside blood, but only breed among themselves. A Friesian horse falls under this category, since a lot of inbreeding has been present in the lineage over the past century or two.
Friesian horses are generally strong, healthy horses, but they are prone to a few genetic issues, related to inbreeding or the Friesian horse’s anatomical structure: dwarfism with stunted leg growth and laxity of connective tissue are the most common issues.
However, Friesian horses are perfectly capable of carrying out all what is required of them during dressage.