I was thinking about this today, when a friend posted about the very sudden loss of her much loved, and very talented Friesian She hasn’t shared what happened, just that it was very sudden, and sounds like it wasn’t trauma related. He was 9.
Her previous Friesian, who she sold to a dressage rider, to be her Para Olympic partner, died within 2 years of the sale, at the grand old age of 15.
Even if I win the lottery, I would not buy a big black heart breaker 
The 25 yr. old Friesian I mentioned in an earlier post was euthanized this year. He was doing well but got mechanical founder from a bad shoeing; that’s what they think caused it. He was improving, then suddenly wasn’t. We have two more Friesians on the farm—one is pretty small, and so sweet and friendly. The other is very large and drop dead gorgeous. Such wonderful personalities to leave us too soon.
Agreed
I’ve been around a few Friesians, and they are lovely but just don’t seem that sturdy.
Since I’m a Morgan person, I’m seeing more Moresians, and they mostly just seem hardier, with better feet. The cross hasn’t been around that long, so they’re mostly fairly young, but from the Morgan side they should get better longevity. Like any F1 cross, though, the “wrong” parent could dominate any given trait.
Id be interested to see a Morgan/Friesian cross. Both breeds can be upheaded and the hind end can be weak on the Friesian side. Encouraging a good connection over the back might be problematic. I would like to see some examples.
https://rafterbardmorgans.com/
They’ve been breeding Morgans and Morgan/Friesian crosses. Look like gorgeous horses.
There’s one at the barn I work at and he’s an absolutely lovely dressage horse, as well as a pretty chill guy who doesn’t carry his head super high!
I hope my FriesianX does not have the short life expectancy. She is 3/4 Friesian, 1/4 Standardbred, and the most loveable of horses. The only issue I’ve found so far (4 years of ownership, she’s 8) is a spot of hyperkeratosis on the back of her knees which isn’t a big deal but is a Friesian thing. Other than that she has been very hardy.
A new ‘breed’ is being created called the Georgian Grande that are Friesians crossed with ASB’s. Anyone know much about them?
Technically I think a Georgia Grande is a saddlebred crossed with a Friesian or draft. I know of some locally that are Percheron/saddlebred and are actually pretty nice AA mounts. They use them for foxhunting and dressage.
Do you know if they are getting to 2nd, 3rd, 4th generations from registered stock? Curious if they are inheriting Friesian fragility. And how they are jumping. No doubt they will do well at dressage. 
ASB’s sometimes look a bit fragile, but the few I’ve know have had great temperaments and were very handy. And they jump at least low heights fairly well.
Georgian grandes have been around for a while. Personally, breeding two harness type structures with longer loins and flatter croups and high sets necks to produce a sort horse has never made sense to me. Lordosis and DSLD seems to be more prevalent than average with ASBs plus the Friesian health issues, I see more risk than benefit. I’m sure there are lovely examples that defy their genetics.
I wonder if the Georgian Grande project is to try to re-create the spectacular Friesian type horse with a sounder body. Perhaps they want the flat croup, high set neck, fancy gaits, etc., and that is why they are choosing the ASB.
The problem with trying to sort out the weaker specimens and only go forward with the strongest is that it produces a lot of culls. Culls are also known as “horses”, and they need a life and good care, too. That’s been a tough road for certain breeds (looking at you, AQHA).
Here’s an example. They use Foundation Morgan stock, which aren’t as high headed and have better toplines.
The ones I’ve seen/known have been lovely sport horse all rounders. They typically don’t have the high motion and have a good amount of bone.
My friend does hunter paces, dressage, lower level eventing, and some endurance rides with hers.
The GG’s have been around a long time. I think they originally were a draft /ASB cross. Then Friesians became popular and they were added to the mix. I don’t think they were trying to recreate anything, just cashing in on the “warmblood” craze and then the Friesian craze.
I really like the idea of the Morgan/Friesian cross. My beloved Friesian, Antal Von Jorrit, died at around 20. He had anhydrosis and survived both a colic surgery and a hernia surgery, and then a trip up to Colorado to live with my friend to get out of the Florida heat. He coliced up there, finally and they lost him. I would give almost anything to have them live longer, healthier lives, because he was the most personable horse I ever met. They remind me of Bernese Mountain Dogs; hereditary issues but the sweetest animals.
The friend’s Friesian that I knew was one of the most amazing horses that I have ever known. Riding him was like every fantasy ride. Energetic but biddable. Big impressive gaits that were easy to sit. Every movement was dramatic. A presence everywhere, people couldn’t take their eyes off this big horse with the big aura.
But – he had one medical crisis after another for the 4 years that I knew him. His owner monitored his temperature, his consumables including water, his feathers that always had a skin issue under them, the rest of his skin, and the dozen or so tiny indicators she had of his health. Vets were out at least two or three times a year for him, sometimes more. They really didn’t have many answers.
He was close to euthanasia more than once while I knew him. He finally went over the bridge at age 15.
My friend had told me of the Friesian breed health issues. Friesian fanciers are super-dedicated to keeping the breed going, because otherwise I don’t think the breed would still be with us.
I will never forget that incredible Friesian. I get the fascination with Friesians.
Not exactly “new”, the breed registry has been around for over 30 years. And they are ASBs crossed with a variety of other breeds, including Friesian, Clydesdale, Shire, Percheron, Belgian, Brabant, American Cream Draft, Drum Horse or Gypsy Vanner.
I didn’t, and then I met Braam, THEN I got it, they are special indeed, but I just couldn’t love one again, because they are heartbreakers.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
