Last Updated on April 24, 2022
Have you ever wondered if it is possible to get a beautiful white Friesian horse? This magnificent horse breed is one of the finest in the world, and renowned for its jet black coloring. But imagine if you could get one with a white coat – that would be a horse fit for a prince or princess!
Let’s find out all about Friesian horses, and see if it is possible to get a beautiful white Friesian horse!
What Is A Friesian Horse?
The Friesian horse is one of the most famous and oldest horse breeds in the world. Originating from the Netherlands, this breed of horse was strong, with high levels of endurance. This made it a useful farm horse and all-around riding and driving horse.
It was also fast and high spirited and was highly coveted as a warhorse. It is believed that William the Conqueror may have ridden Friesian horses!
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Spanish Andalusian bloodlines were introduced to Friesian breeding stock, giving the characteristic arched neck and high-stepping action they are famous for to this day.
Following this, the bloodlines remained relatively pure, and the breed registry operates as a closed studbook. This means that only Friesian horses with pure bloodlines are accepted. Horses must also pass a rigorous inspection, to ensure the high standards of the breed are maintained.
Due to these stringent rules, pure-bred Friesian horses are always in demand and fetch high prices. However, you can find part-bred Friesians crossed with other breeds, and these are becoming increasingly popular.
Different Types Of Friesian Horses – Beautiful White Friesian Horse
The classic and pure-bred Friesian horse has a distinctive and unmistakable appearance. They are 15 to 16 hands high, with a strong, muscular body and long legs. The Friesian has relatively wide hooves, giving a hint of its draft horse origins.
The head and neck of the Friesian horse breed are what most people remember. They have an elegant face, with small ears and large eyes. The neck is arched and well muscled, and they carry themselves proudly when they move.
This elegance is increased by the long, flowing mane and tail, which is often wavy. The movement of the Friesian horse is very refined, with a high-stepping action which makes them appear to almost float above the ground.
It is these characteristics that make the Friesian horse so popular in horse displays, as well as in movies and TV series. They are also very talented in equestrian competitions, particularly dressage and driving.
This breed of horse is split into two main types:
- Horses with a larger, more muscular build are called baroque Friesians.
- Horses with a more lean, fine-boded build are referred to as the Friesian sports horse.
Can You Get A Beautiful White Friesian Horse?
Friesian horses are nearly always black and are one of the most famous black horse breeds in the world. They may occasionally have a small amount of white on the face, but a pure-bred Friesian cannot be registered if it has any white on the body or legs.
The reason for this purity in color is that the breed registry for the Friesian horse has been tightly controlled for many centuries. This means that other bloodlines have not diluted the purity of the Friesian genes, and they have retained their characteristic color.
However, there is one slight anomaly that can occur. Due to a recessive gene, it is possible to occasionally get a chestnut Friesian. If this occurs in a stallion, it will not normally be permitted entry to the studbook. Mares and geldings that are chestnut may be allowed registration, as long as certain other criteria are met.
So, unfortunately, this means that it is impossible to get a beautiful white Friesian horse unless it is a cross-breed with another type of horse. Friesians do not carry the gene that gives a horse a white or grey coat, and a pure-bred Friesian will almost always be black in color.
If you wanted a horse with the build and characteristics of a Friesian horse, but with a white coat, you would need to breed with a horse with grey color genes. This famously happened when the Queen of the Netherlands gave permission for pure-bred Friesian mares to be bred with a grey Arabian stallion. The result was a horse with the appearance of a Friesian, with a beautiful white coat.
Summary – Beautiful White Friesian Horse
So, as we have learned, it is not possible to get a pure-bred beautiful white Friesian horse. This ancient breed has pure bloodlines, and nearly all Friesian horses are black. The only way to get a Friesian-type horse is to cross a Friesian horse with another similar breed of horse that carries the grey color gene.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on whether you can get a beautiful white Friesian horse! Do you think it would be a good idea to breed Friesian horses in different colors? Or are you a fan of the classic beautiful black Friesian horse? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
FAQ’s
Where Do Friesians Come From?
This distinctive breed originates from the province of Friesland, in the North of the Netherlands. The bloodlines of this breed date back to the 13th century, although they may have been around long before this.
What Is The White Version Of A Friesian Horse?
The horse breed that is closest in appearance to a white Friesian horse is the Spanish Andalusian horse. Many centuries ago, Andalusian bloodlines were used to give Friesian horse their characteristic arched neck and high-stepping movement. A grey Andalusian horse will resemble a white Friesian, but will be less muscled and have fewer feathers on the legs.
How Do You Take Care Of A Friesian Horse?
One of the biggest problems when caring for a Friesian horse is keeping the long, flowing mane and tail in good condition. For this reason, it is advisable to braid them to keep tangles to a minimum.
The black coat of a Friesian also means they will struggle to stay cool in direct sunlight. Avoid exercising them in the heat of the day, and make sure they are provided with a shaded rest area at all times.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE
