Breeding and training
The breeding and training program of "House of the Friesians" is concentrated on the development of Friesian horses that surpass the strict guidelines presented by The Royal Society "The Friesian Horse-Studbook" (FPS; visit http://www.fhana.com/ and http://www.fps-studbook.com/) and have the ability to exhibit good to excellent results in dressage and driving. As we attach a lot of value to good character trades in our horses, a lot of attention is given to the development of a versatile and pleasant character (friendly, eager to learn and active)Every year "House of the Friesians" selects a specific stallion for each brood mare. This selection is made very thoughtfully. On basis of the kind of foal desired, a stallion is selected for each mare that is being considered for breeding . This decision is based on studies made from both stallion and mare.
Breeding of mares is done strictly by artificial insemination.
The education and training of a foal born at "House of the Friesians" starts the day the foal is born and only concludes the day the foal or horse leaves "House of the Friesians". In the first year of their lives the foals receive, on average, 1.5 hours a day of individual guidance to make them familiar with their surroundings, with people and with the treatment by farrier or veterinarian. The young horses are being taught a few basic commands, like standing still during their daily grooming routine and proper behavior while being led on the halter.
In the second year their education expands, the horses are being taught more commands and are being introduced to light work on the longe line. As the young horses are continuously made more familiar with people, machines and traffic are slowly introduced to them.
In the third year, training of the young horses is progressively intensified and expanded. With the goal that at the end of the summer the three year old horses can be presented under saddle and in harness. In the following years the horses continue their training under saddle and in driving.
From the commence of our training a great deal of care is given to the development of strong expressive movement in the walk, trot and canter, so characteristic of the Friesian Horse.
In the year of their birth the foals are inspected by a jury from The Royal Society "The Friesian Horse-Studbook"(FPS) after which the foals are equipped with a personal micro chip and entered in the foalbook register of the FPS. In their third year the horses are again submitted to an inspection by a jury from the FPS and can be admitted to the studbook register of the FPS.
From the day of birth profound attention is given to the development of a nice and reliable character and this remains a strong focus as long as the horse is in training at "House of the Friesians".
And so it is, that horses trained at "House of the Friesians" are well schooled under saddle and in front of a carriage, have a pleasant character and comply to the regulations of the FPS which makes them very sought after by those devoted to the Friesian Studbook Horse!