Friesian Horse Work In Progress Cont.
So it’s Saturday morning and I’m looking forward to a full day of working on this painting. Followed by Sunday. I am probably being overly optimistic, but I am hoping to just about finish it off by the end of the weekend.
Tall, Dark and Seriously Handsome
Frieisans are one of my favorite breeds. Yeah, I know I’m totally alone in this.
Any one who likes horses . . . even a little, likes Friesians. Anyone who is a romantic. . . even a little, likes Friesians. But they really do have all the attributes I admire in horses. They have size. In general they have great temperaments. They’re black. (Ever since I read Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion that has been the color of choice for me.) They have unbelievable hair. Seriously what’s not to love?
And the Friesian that sealed the deal for me being a fan was when I met Nero at the MN Horse Expo many years ago. Since then I have come to know many wonderful Friesian horses, but Nero still holds a special place in my heart.
The handlers were so giving of their time with Nero and the public. The thing that instantly impressed me was how calm and dignified he was in the mayhem that is the expo. He was always surrounded by groups of people reaching out and petting him.
People I think forget what an amazing thing that is. Here you are in a foreign place with hundreds of horses and thousands of people. And here is this stallion completely calm, while total strangers are touching him (I’m sure often in places he’d prefer he wasn’t touched) and there’s chaos all around. I mean a stallion for Pete’s sake. Often times someone was on him bareback with only a halter and lead.
To be clear, there are other stallions that do as well, but also plenty who don’t.
Friesians are rather well known here in Germany. People don’t ride them so much, Friesisans are coach horses. Beautiful horses!
I have always loved friesians, especially after seeing the Pecos Bill movie and watching a dressage program on tv. You are not alone there.
Hello Ulla,
I’ve got a few pix of Friesians as coach horses and one with 4 abreast pulling a chariot. But mostly here they are under saddle. Most of our coach horses are draft or draft crosses.
Hello Joan,
I thought I seen you the other day in FD? But you shot past on a mission and I didn’t want to holler out, in case it wasn’t you. Hope all is good on your end.