History of Friesian Horses - 'Belgian Blacks'

The Friesian horse is a truly ancient breed with a long and romantic history. It was developed many centuries ago in a province of the Netherlands known as ‘Friesland’.

By the middle ages the breed was well known for its strength, agility and presence, and used by Knights and Crusaders to carry them into battle.

During the 16th & 17th centuries Andalusian horses were bred into the Friesian blood line giving the breed its high knee action and arching neck.

The breed was especially popular in Britain during the 18th & 19th centuries when the horses were in great demand for agricultural and funeral use. It was estimated that there were over 700 Friesian horses in the London area alone. It was at this time that they acquired their nickname of ‘Belgian Blacks’. Holland at the time did not have a sea faring port so the horses were transported by land to Belgium and to the port of Antwerp. From there they were conveyed on barges to the horse repository at the Elephant and Castle in London, to be sold in the market on a Monday - always to be known as Black Monday because of the colour of the horses and the funeral directors wanting to purchase them.

The popularity of the horse began to decline and by the beginning of World War One the Friesian breed was close to disappearing forever with only three stud book stallions in the world remaining. By the end of World War Two, with vehicles in short supply and with the help of dedicated breeders the horse was brought back from the brink of extinction, to what now can only be described as a very healthy number to secure the breed’s future.

Breed Characteristics

Friesians are probably best known for their black colour and luxurious mane, tail and “feathers” (long untrimmed hair on the lower legs). The official breed rarely has white markings of any kind because registries allow only a small star on the forehead for purebred conformance. The Friesian’s average height is about 15.3 hands (1.60m) although it may vary from 14.2 to 17 hands. They have a spectacular trot, both fast and high-stepping with a temperament that is both energetic and docile. They have long, elegant arched necks and fine extended short-eared heads. Their sloping shoulders are quite powerful and their compact yet muscular bodies have strong sloping hindquarters and low-set tails. The limbs are comparatively short and strong but they have excellent bone structure and impressive hair.