Friesian Horses for Sale

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By EasyLearn

Why to Reconsider Your Friesian Horse Choice

The first reason I would say no to any draft horse is the cost of them.  I can keep a nice saddle horse of any breed cheaper than any draft or light draft breed can be kept for.  The vet charges more for their care, the feed is colossal, also I can do a full shoe in my area for $125.00, it costs $80.00 just to trim a draft and many farriers won’t even consider trimming one no matter how nicely they stand for service.  Then, there is just getting saddles and bridles for the monstrous things, they are uncomfortable to ride due to their size, so many tack shops don’t carry gear that will fit them.  Anything you must special order will cost extra as well.  Too many of these beautiful animals end up in rescue because of the reasons listed here.

Horses to Consider Instead

Half draft is at least a small portion better, I especially love the Friesian Arabian cross, the Arabian makes them so much thriftier and easier to shoe.  They lend a lovely eye, and many retain the gorgeous feathers so many fanciers enjoy.  Those enjoying the fluid movement of the Friesian may also love the exceptional beauty the Andalusian breed has to offer, in fact many of the Spanish bred horses are lovely to behold, with many of the same qualities possessed by the Friesian breed.  They also come in black, as well as the more common grey, and have a fiery presence that the movie industry has come to rely upon in many of their most famous blockbuster hits. 

Things to Know if you Must Have One

I would say to someone who absolutely had to have a draft horse of any breed as their fine horse gift that firstly you must have a job for it. Also, I would care lease one for at least a six month period of time, preferably a year. This will ensure you do not waste a ton of money with a horse that works out for far too few individuals. When you go to buy one, buy a weanling and raise it when it is a manageable size. Teach it to pull a small sack with weight at a very young age, and break it to drive as soon as it is able. This can make it easier to work its entire life. You will have better luck keeping a quality farrier if you are extremely firm about it holding still as a baby, and I among others offer a significant price break to those with well behaved draft animals.

Paula 2 years ago

I have to disagree with you about this! I have owned 3 friesians and they are very easy keepers! I don' t spend "collosal" on their feed any more than my much smaller Missouri Fox Trotters. My horses are big and healthy and probably too big! The farriers I use charge me $40 for a trim! True, there are some draft breeds (as in ANY breed) that are hard keepers. My farrier charges more for horses that don't stand for him. He deserves it as he has to work longer and harder. But on the whole, I think you are misleading people about the light draft and draft breeds. On my brothers ranch, he has a 19hh Belgian weighing 2300#. He eats the same amount as the 16.2 hh Tennessee walker. Again, no more in cost to feed, but with feet the size of dinner plates, he would cost a lot to be shod. Fortunately, he doesn't have to be and a trim for him is $65 in California. So this is not outrageous. These draft breeds deserve a chance as many are being used for cross breeding. Why in the world would you discourage from these AWESOME and worthy animals?

EasyLearn profile image

EasyLearn Hub Author 2 years ago

Hello Paula,

Thank you for bringing some debate, it keeps the hubs interesting. Please put up a counter hub and we could certainly cross reference each other and let the rest of the hubbers chime in.

Kimberly Bunch profile image

Kimberly Bunch 2 years ago

Cool Hub! Here's one of mine: http://hubpages.com/hub/horsesfacts

Susan Ballard 2 years ago

I agree, the larger horses are not really any harder or more costly to feed than many average size horses. And for you horse hubber lovers check out my hubs too listed under OneGypsyTraveler

Paul 2 years ago

With Christmas coming up and money tight, it’s a bit of a nightmare that my girlfriend loves horses as they are so expensive! Can anyone recommend a place that has horses for sale

quarter horses for sale 24 months ago

half Friesians, and Adalusians then to the large European breeds, which can have too many fetlock and hock problems, especially as they approach their teens.

Neil Ashworth profile image

Neil Ashworth 23 months ago

Nice article.

EasyLearn profile image

EasyLearn Hub Author 21 months ago

For sure, Ferisians and Gypsy Vanners are not the worse drafts to keep, but any qualified farrier is going to charge you more, no question. if you can hobo some backyard boob into doing your horses for whatever, do so at your own risk but lets not pretend it's either ideal or even the norm. Also, there is no way a horse that size eats the same or less feed than an animal half or two thirds it's size, so you guys are either woefully ignorant or out right dishonest.

caoshub profile image

caoshub 20 months ago

Hey, great hub.

I am more a Lusitano horse girl, but they have Freisian blood in theire ancestry, giving them size a strength.

Check here my post on Horse quotes :D It's fun: http://hubpages.com/hub/Horse-Quotes

JAMES JAWORSKI 18 months ago

Come on now! We keep a number of baroque horses, pay no more to trim or shoe and feed, well 15 horses eat 5 bales a day and 50 lbs of grain. They have a slower metabolism and require fewer calories per lb. Anyone who says baroque horses are uncomfortable to ride obviously has never ridden one. Draft breeds make the best mounts for amateur adults and rescues are full of over bred throughbreds and quarter horses, not baroque mounts. Tack is readily available and we in sensation treeless saddles and can use the same saddle on all our horses.

EasyLearn profile image

EasyLearn Hub Author 17 months ago

In response to Mr. Jaworski,

I have in fact ridden a few draft horses. I dispise thier gait and way of going overall with no notable exception. If you are feeding your horses that amount, it would kill a smaller sized horse, or else have it so fat within months that it's health was at risk. And as a proffesional farrier having serviced in multiple areas and been in practice for many years, I will be the athourity on how much most farriers will charge you for one of those monsterous beasts. Far too many ignorant people keep these creatures as little more than a backyard pet, one with minimal care, no job, and substandard living conditions.

Your bias to the reality of owning animals of that size does no service to the breed you so claim to love.

DragonflyQueen 10 months ago

Suffice it to say, Easylearn just doesn't like purebred Friesians or any type of purebred draft horse. Nothing any of us say will change his mind...we're all entitled to our own opinionl.

FireWalker 10 months ago

I have to say that yes the draft does cost alittle more to feed than a regular size horse would,but that is not to say that it is going to break you either. As we have had all kinds of horses in the past and had both at the same time. Normal size horse we would give one large flake of hay in the morning and the drafts got two large flakes of hay twice a day,and we did have to pay alittle bit more to have them trimmed. But if you love the draft hores as I do you dont mind the little bit extra it takes to give them a good home and life. I myself would love to own a friesan or a gypsy vanner but cant right now. Someday IM hoping. I would love to ride a fresian just one time before i cant ride anymore,which dont think will be for much longer. I think it would be a honor to ride such an awsome animal. Just had to put in my input,thanks

ponygirl64 profile image

ponygirl64 7 months ago

For anyone who likes the Draft Breed but not the cost should consider a Haflinger. Their origin is from the Tyrol mountains in Austria. They range in height from 13-15 hands. Most, however are in the range of 14-14.2 hands. They are a great all round breed. They are calm and sweet by nature and are not to large and imposing for a child but are sturdy enough for an adult.

freesia 41 hours ago

Fyi. .... friesians are warmbloods not drafts. There are two types, the baroque and modern sporthorse.

Next there is no breed that ends up more uncared for, just that we hear more about the save the sweet drafts as they are easily identified.

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