Friesians: Can Someone Clear This Up For Me?

Question

I've recently taken a liking to the Friesian horse breed, and everywhere I go, there's this argument about whether Friesians should be jumped or not.
Some say they should never be jumped, and yet I've seen video footage of Friesians jumping like naturals. What's the truth about this breed? Can they be jumped for recreational reasons or should they be put to show work instead?

Answer 1

In general, I don't like to jump heavier/draftier horses. Crosses are okay as long as they look atheltic enough, but otherwise, drafts were really never meant to jump, therefor they don't have the body structure which could leave them with unhealthy joints since they have to carry all their own weight.

Answer 2

The Friesian Horse, one of Europe’s oldest domesticated breeds, originated in Friesland, a province of The Netherlands. It is considered to be a Warmblood because of its easy going temperament with a companionable nature. The Friesian horse is also a talented show horse when it comes to dressage. This is due to its intelligence, willingness to learn and to please, and readiness to perform.



It is difficult to date the precise origin of the Friesian but it is believed to be descended from the ancient Equus robustus (big horse). Frisian horsemen served in the Roman Legions, e.g. the Equites Singulares of Emperor Nero (54 68), and in Great Britain near Hadrian’s Wall which was built in 120 AD. There is certainty that the horse was well known in the Middle Ages since it is found in art work of that era. Breeding horses was very important for the Frisians and before the reformation, the monks in Friesland monasteries did a lot of horse breeding.



About Friesians - http://www.horse-stall.net/horse-breeds/friesian-horse.htm

Answer 3

Every horse has the ability to jump,however, that does not mean that they are well suited for jumping at competition level. A Friesian is not considered to be a horse that would excel at jumping. It would be fine to have them jump on occasion, like on a pleasure ride, but they should not be taken through a jumping course, in my opinion. It is just not their calling. If you were out on a ride and blocked by a fallen tree, it would be fine if you thought your Friesian horse could jump the tree so you could complete the ride, but jumping should be kept to a minimum for such a horse.

Answer 4

They should not be jumped. This does not mean they can't jump. It means that jumping heavily as in competition level jumping is very hard on the legs and joints of the horse. This is due to two things. One they are heavier and the added weight coming down puts tremendous pressure on the legs...causing conditions like premature arthritis, torn ligaments, tendons, etc. The other cause is that the bones of the heavier breeds tend to be far less dense than the bones of the lighter saddle horses. Such bone damages easier.



So to reiterate...shouldn't does not mean can't. It merely means if you do then there is a far higher risk of injury to the horse.

Answer 5

I agree with most people, they can jump but shouldn't be jumped

too high. They are stockier and it makes jumping different for

them, but heck, I've seen drafts doing the 3ft without a problem.

They can jump if they want to... most of the ones I see stay under

2'6" which is fine. I don't see them in the jumping ring much, mainly

Dressage but it is really whatever they were made to do. Each horse

is different.

Answer 6

They CAN be jumped, but in my opinion just look off. They were originally bred to be carriage horses, not do things like jumping or western pleasure (which, hey i've seen friesians do both). My boy is a little bit clumsy, but i've never consider jumping him. We have started him in a little bit of basic dressage, and he's going to be trained to the cart eventually.

Answer 7

They're never going to be fabulous jumpers, they're too heavy, but it doesn't mean they can't jump by any means.



Just like any other breed so long as you don't jump them too much or out of the individual's comfort zone there's no reason at all why they can't do some jumping.

Answer 8

I agree with the above answer, they can do it, just like any breed can do it. But im not a fan of jumping heavy breeds, or super lightly boned individuals or any breed either for that matter. I would want good solid bone structure, but not fence posts or toothpicks.