The 3 Types of Friesians

Friesians have undergone some serious changes over the past 50 years but most of them have happened in the last 10 years. The Dutch KFPS inspection committee have been analyzing the master plan for the Friesian breed as well as reviewing results of inspections and having strict stallion selection processes to create such impressive changes in the entire breed over such a short period of time.  

The history of the Friesian included war horse and plow horse as well as cart horse for transportation. In todays time wars are not fought on hoses and tractors now plow the fields. With the power and elasticity that has always been a part of this breed in history they are ideal candidates for todays riding and harness driving show world. They are used for Dressage, Fine Harness, Saddle Seat, Jumping and many other disciplines, even trail and natural horsemanship.

With all the changes in use of the Friesian horse we are now starting to see some physical or "type" changes in the breed.

 There are now 3 very distinctive types of Friesians being breed. The three types are Baroque, Classical and Modern.

The Baroque type is what commonly comes to mind when people think of a Friesian. A strong bone structure through the legs covered in ample body mass to cover those bones. Baroque build usually appears to have shorter leg length to body height ratio and appear to have a longer body length in comparison to height. Almost giving the body the appearance of a rectangle on it’s side.  (Photo of Crüe S.R., Mark Keyser, Crüe S.R. Enterprises, LLC photo by www.lauramcclurephotography.com)

The Classical type, like baroque has curvy lines and ample density to the body but the ration of body to leg seems to be equal or appearing like a square. Their bones are not as thick as a baroque horse but they have ample structural soundness. Stallions will still have a developed crest but the barrel and hip area will be leaner than that of the baroque built horse. (photo Maiko 373 by Ory Photography)

The Modern Friesian is significantly more lean throughout the frame. They have lighter bone and leaner body mass. They tend to appear to be longer in the leg than length of the body giving them an upright rectangle appearance.  The Modern type Friesian is also referred to as the spot type. Please don’t get that confused with the sport title that the horse can earn. For example Maiko 373 Sport was not given the title sport because of his frame but rather his accomplishments as a riding horse (can be earned in driving also). Maiko 373 is the photo example used in this article for the Classical type. Modern built Friesians (Photo Viduna, Sable Ranch)





Modern - Leg Reach + HAIR
(Photo Aphilion/Sable Ranch)

There are many misconceptions associated with Friesian “type”. Notice that there was no reference to hair or movement in the above explanations. There is no correlation. Yes we imagine a Friesian to have ample hair, a Fabio like appearance, but you can have any frame type combined with any length or thickness of hair.  Anton 343 the hair man of the US is classical in build.



Modern - Knee Lift

(Photo Nadeen Davis)

There is also no correlation to movement, suspension, power, knee lift vs. extension to type. You can have any type of movement from any frame type. Knee lift can be in baroque or modern. It’s most common that people assume that Baroque has lots of hair and knee lift but that is not always the case. We had a VERY modern mare with over 4 feet of mane who had knee lift and reach as well as a VERY baroque mare with knee lift and reach and not much hair.

Baroque- Knee Lift



Classical -Knee Lift

There is also no correlation between Type and success as a riding or driving mount. It would just depend on what you prefer to look at. There is a belief that the Modern type will have an advantage in the Dressage arena and that the Baroque type looks better in harness. However Several of the top FEI Friesian stallions are not the Modern build, and all the Approved stallions that go through the testing are presented in harness as well as under saddle. The type of Friesian you want depends on personal preference for what you want your horse to look like. If you breed your dream horse for the judges preferences then please research the judges that you will be presenting infront of, but remember you will be the one living with and loving on your Friesian every day, not the judges, so please make sure you are living your dreams with your horse.



Modern - Knee Lift + HAIR

While you are breeding or buying your dream Friesian enjoy looking at all the types of Friesians so that you know what you would like to have. Also know your goals with that horse so that you can evaluate their movement, not everyone can sit a 9+ trot. Even consider the amount and thickness of hair that you are looking for.

At Sable Ranch Friesians we have a diverse portfolio of Modern, Classical and Baroque mares with various types of movement and hair.  www.Maiko373.com

Photo inclusions from Nadeen Davis Australia and Mark Keyser, Crüe S.R. Enterprises, LLC USA and Sable Ranch