Friesians as Dressage Horses?
admin on August 31st, 2010
I’ve been thinking about going from Hunter/Jumper to Dressage and in looking for a horse, I’ve been considering a Friesian. I’m besotted with Jane Savoie’s Moshi (which is probably why I want a Friesian). I know there’s a big stink over Friesians being used as riding horses instead of cart horses. So, I’m kind of wanting some arguments for and against it.
If you don’t think Friesians should be ridden, please make a valid argument as to why not. Thanks!
Thanks! This is the one I’m looking at. She’s not broke yet.
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1571864&share_this=Y
Or these specially if you are considering dressage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zclp9_LSEX8
If you get a fresian, get one that was bred from Germany. Do NOT under any circumstances get an American fresian. German fresians are bigger and better. American fresians are smaller, clumsier, not as pretty, and mainly for pulling carts. If you want a versatile horse that will do both hunter/jumper and dressage then you should get a hanoverian, or a trekkner. These are both great breeds of horses that will do almost anything. If you want a more beautiful, stockier, better developed dressage horse, then get a fresian. German fresians are usually more expensive, but trust me, they are better than American fresians. American fresians are "cheap" (no offense to anyone who has one!!). I mean all fresians are beautiful but some are better than others. Remember to ask to ride the horse before buying. I hope I helped!!
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I worked, bred, and helped raise/train freisians (German and American) for 2 years.
i have no problem with friesians being ridden, but they are just a lot of horse.
they’d be fine for low level dressage, but you wouldn’t see them in grand prix as they have a large body and stocky legs. they do have great knee action though!
i’ve seen a lot of tb/friesians excel in jumping and dressage, so if you’re really looking for something like a fresian, a cross would be something to look for.
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I think if you want a Friesian you totally should! This lady at my barn has a Friesian Stallion and she uses him for Dressage. It’s so beautiful to watch!
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Or these specially if you are considering dressage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zclp9_LSEX8
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Some Friesians make good dressage horses, others do not. If you choose one you need to make sure they have gaits suitable and more of a sport horse conformation rather than a driving conformation otherwise you’ll have a whole lot of trouble getting them to do dressage correctly. The tricky part is because of their neck set/breeding it is hard to get them to use their back correctly and power off their hind end like they need to be able to do to move up the levels. They must be ridden a bit deeper and long and low more often than other breeds according to some books I’ve read in order to develop their topline muscles. Now if you have a trainer that knows Friesians and their special requirements you might do well getting one. However, if you’re just entering the world of dressage I would probably recommend getting something that won’t be quite so tricky to train/learn on like a warmblood or cross bred until you know the principles and how to fix some of those issues. They are beautiful but the only people I know who do well on them are professionals, not amateurs or young riders with maybe one exception.
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I think Friesians can make great Dressage horses. That being said, you have to take it on a horse by horse basis. Not all fresians will be good at dressage, just like all quarter horses aren’t good at barrels. Its really not fair to lump them all into a category and mark them as good or bad at a certain discipline. I’d say if you have a horse specifically in mind, talk to the current owner about what they think and then bring a dressage trainer or judge with you and see what they say about that horse too.
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I’ve seen several Friesians at my local dressage shows. They’re beautiful horses, and the ones I saw did just as well as any other breed of horse there.
As for the person that mentioned American Friesians are not as good as German ones… well, there are variations in all breeds, and just being born in the U.S. and not Germany doesn’t make the horse any smaller or clumsier. It’s all about the lineage. The breed is originally from the Netherlands, anyway…
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