Friesian
Known for their elegant black coats and flowing hair, it’s no wonder that Friesians are popular horses in film and television programs.
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Perissodactyla
Family - Equidae
Genus - Equus
Species & Subspecies – E. ferus caballus
Common Names – Friesian, Belgian Black
Friesians are enthusiastic and full of energy, but known for their calm and gentle demeanor. They carry themselves very gracefully.
Friesians strike an elegant figure, with long arched necks, well-muscled bodies, and feathering on the lower legs.
They are most often black in coat coloration, though sometimes they are a deep chestnut brown. White markings are rare, and to register a horse as a “purebred” Friesian, only a white mark on the forehead is typically allowed.
The Friesian is named for Friesland, in the Netherlands, where the breed originated. The ancestors of today’s Friesians horses were used by knights in medieval times.
In more modern times, Friesians have gained popularity in films and television, due to their striking black coats, elegant appearance, and thick, flowing manes and tails.
Friesians are often used for the role of Toronado, the steed of Zorro, in films about the legendary outlaw. Friesians have also appeared in films such as Clash of the Titans, The Chronicles of Narnia film series, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Sense & Sensibility, just to name a few.
Friesians today are most often used as recreational horses, for riding, carriage pulling, and dressage competitions.