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Starting Member
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Last Login: 4/25/2010 6:58:12 PM
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I'm in the process of buying my first horse (although I've been riding for 15 years now) and I'm closing in on this friesian. I checked him out yesterday and he has the sweeeeetest personality and I've always ADORED that breed, but the owner was at a show so I will be riding him on Monday. I plan on asking her this question, but thought I'd give it a go here first.
He is 4 years old and has been in professional training for 6 months. I'm fairly certain that he's what's considered the "modern" type, not the baroque type.
Now, to my question: I do not compete in jumping (though I once did) but are friesians sound for light, occasional, casual jumping? I know that physically they CAN, but there just is a problem with their tendons, because they weren't BRED for it, but the problem is that I'm really looking for versatility in terms of, a horse that I can do all aspects of English with, without competing. There wouldn't be any heavy show jumping, just casual occasional jumping. I know that many people say it also depends on the individual horse, and he looks like one of the slimmer/sleeker/less drafty friesians. He is definitely pure-bred though, he has FHANA papers.
Here's the kicker: I actually don't like dressage very much..I actually PREFER jumping; I just think dressage gets so boring and jumping has more excitement. But I think it would be good for me to have a horse that is naturally good at dressage (where I need work) but that I can casually jump as well.
He is pure-bred though he looks like a sport horse to me. I know that this breed is technically in the "draft" category, but I realllllly don't see that, sorry. I've seen youtube videos of friesians jumping and it really actually looks like they handle the landing better than warmbloods, so I'm just a little confused.
Oh and I'm not concerned about his age/green-ness. I've ridden just about everything. Practically every breed, every problem, every disposition, every size, every discipline.
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Advanced Member
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| If you do not currently recieve Equus magazine, you should get the January 2010 edition and check out the article "A question of proportion." It has all the info in there on why drafts generally go lame if jumped. It has something to do with their bone-density in proportion to their body weight or something like that. She can explain it WAY better than me!! -Please don't attack me draft jumpers!!! I only know what the article said, and I'm sure I didn't understand it quite all the way, so sorry if I offended anyone, I didn't mean to!
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Starting Member
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| yeah i mean it makes sense for drafts to have a harder time jumping, i just don't see friesians as full-drafts...i know they technically are, it just doesn't LOOK that way...they're so much slimmer..the modern type anyway...it just doesn't look like they would have a hard time because so many of them are sleeker/slimmer than most warmbloods...or at least appear that way..and by that i mean, agility to maneuver a course aside, with just regular casual jumps, it shouldn't be as hard as with belgians (for example) because they have allllllll that torso weight to carry and heave into the air and friesians seem so much slimmer. i know that their legs are less proportionate and so in general jumping is harder on their bodies, but it just doesn't seem like it would be much more than a LITTLE rougher on some of the slimmer ones..which i mean, obviously just that little bit is reason to be careful.
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Average Member
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| Hey, first of all I want to tell you CONGRATS on getting a horse soon!!! That's like everybody's dream! Whichever horse you get, I know that you'll choose a great friend that'll stick around with you for a looong time. As for your question, I just want to tell you that friesns are not the best horses to have if its your first one. They're more of a difficult breed at first. I understand they're really good rides and versatile, but are mostly for showing in dressage, and since dressage isn't your forte, I wouldn't recommend it. HOWEVER, horses all have different personalities and if you truly believe that this one is right for you, then don't let anyone talk you out of it! You never know until you try him out, but go for it :) Chances are, he could be a great jumper!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Starting Member
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thanks! i know it feels like i've been waiting forever (15 years..) but i'm pretty sure they're known for their amazing temperament..and if they're not, this one sure is a rogue sweetheart...and in any case, just because it's my first horse, that i OWN, doesn't mean i'm a beginner by any means..in fact this summer i'll be working as a riding instructor in upstate ny..i've done just about everything one can do in the horse world without having your own horse..i've broken in mustangs, taught 4 year olds to jump, survived/stayed on more than a few crazies (jumping arena dividers and whatnot) my parents just never got me one that was MINE is the only difference..so at first i actually wanted a frisky challenge like an OTTB or something (of which i have ridden and handled many) but then i decided i was tired of all that drama and instead of only looking for green horses i would just look at the overall package...although the irony i see now is that he IS pretty green ha..but he's a very calm sweet boy that i think could even have beginners on him..
and i am trained in dressage, (as well as hunter/jumper) but what i meant was that it would be easier for me to find interest in it if i had a horse that was naturally talented at it..
idk see my problem is that there's so many different views on the subject i just wanted to hear from a variety of people before making my own judgment
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I think it really depends on the horse and a careful coordination with your vet. there was a fresian at my barn, sporty, but all fresian. he competed in jumpers, but i know they checked with their vet to make sure it was ok for him. congrats on your new horse!
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Starting Member
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| you've all be really helpful and i talked more to the seller and it turns out he is a LOTTTT more green than the ad made him sound and so I decided to go with 4 year old TB..he's started training in dressage and jumping and is an excellent prospect, and i think that makes more sense for me to have something more versatile. it's a shame though, i really really adore the friesian breed. oh well. maybe if i have a ton of money one day and can afford to have a hunter jumper AND a dressage horse! :)
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Junior Member
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^ EXCELLENT decision on your part.
Not only are friesians very difficult to keep up with (night turnout to maintain the coat, bagging and braiding to maintain the hair) they are CARRIAGE HORSES. Bred for such. They do have high knee action, etc, but they are rarely successful in dressage after third level--they can't get their hocks under them enough to really do the movements necessary. And jumping...forget it. Might as well buy a percheron :P
Good for you for thinking it through and making the smart decision. I'm sure your TB will be a versatile mount for years to come.
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Average Member
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On Par's post was very good. Heavy breeds can jump and love doing it, but to make them do it as a career is somewhat questionable. The article On Par mentioned will explain in detail how a heavy horse's weight ratios affect their bodies.
Landing all that weight off a jump puts a LOT of strain on a horse's legs - not just joints, either, but every part of his limbs - and, while they can certainly enjoy jumping as a "hobby," I don't recommend making a strenuous career out of it.
Hope this helps!
Thankful for all my blessings...      
     Little He and Little Haw, Blondie, Clyde, Phantom, Zoe, Lexi, Choctaw, Pixie, Amber He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life -John 3:36
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