Ebony Park Stud

With such a great response from last weeks blog, we thought this week would be a fantastic opportunity to continue on with the theme of how to train a Friesian…

So many people ask me – how is a Friesian different to train as compared to a normal horse? So I thought I would outline the five things I think about and have learned with working with the breed. 

1. Size

When you train a Friesian, you need to know that they are heavier than a normal horse, and get tired more quickly. 

So to trot and canter them for 20 minutes just to warm up might not be what they need. It’s actually hard to paint all Friesians with the same brush. Certainly Abe doesn’t work long, but on some mares I have worked them for an hour and they have handled it fine. These have generally been a hotter type of mare and also not as heavy. But for your typical Friesian, short and intense work is better than long and drawn out.

So people laugh at me when I say I train Abe for 35 minutes - 

• 5 mins walk on a loose rein to warm-up, 
• 5 mins round, long and low trot and canter warm up, 
• 15 mins work on exercises, 
• 5 mins long and low to cool down,
• 5 min walk cool down on loose rein.

I have found over all the years that suits him the best. 

Sometimes we work longer, sometimes we work even shorter, but that is the average.

You need to remember the horse must be kept fresh. The biggest thing with a Friesian is they tend to become lazy and behind the leg, so you must keep them fresh and active.

Also they are very intelligent – you must always be doing different exercises, different school figures to keep their brain interested.

2. Using Their Back

The Friesian can come out with a very high neck and not using their back at all. This can confuse some people into thinking their horse is ‘on the bit’ – however, the horse is not through to the contact at all, and not using his back. 

They need to be trained to lift the back, and use their bodies correctly. Remember they came from being cart horses and pulling things, and now we are asking them to be dressage horses and carry instead. So they need to be taught how to do this and their muscles slowly developed.

3. Forward is so important.

Friesians can become lazy and behind the leg if you let them. You need to make sure you are training a quick response from the leg, and that they are reactive and energetic to it. Like I said – don’t overwork the Friesian as they will get tired, and lose their quick and light response. 

4. Friesians have big hearts – they need attention. 

One of the most important things I have noticed is that you can’t treat them as another horse, another number. 

They have immense pride and love and want to be treated as special, and to bond with you. I ride up to 5 horses a day and I need to make sure each one gets some love

5. Reward. 

I have found the Friesians are like the labradors of the horse world, and love to be told they are doing the right thing. Some love praise in the form of pats or scratches, and others will do anything for you for food.  

They will try their heart out for you if they know you will love and respect them for it. Reward your Friesian often and he will try harder and do even more for you.

To Your Success,

Natasha Althoff

p.s. I would love to help you out, wherever you are in your riding journey!!  So for this weekend, from Friday 24th Feb 5pm until Sunday 26th Feb 10pm, I will be available, right here online, to answer ANY questions you post on my Your Riding Success facebook page! So if you have any riding or Friesian questions, or if you just want to know what I eat for breakfast, I will be totally open and giving of all secrets, knowledge and experience to help you get what you need – click here to go to the facebook page now, and click on ‘like’ so that you don’t miss out!

{ 0 comments }