Friesian in NZ

NZ POPULATION - GROWING

Facts about Friesian Horses in NZ to be added here.

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WHERE TO BUY?

They do sometimes come up on TradeMe, but it is best to approach a breeder directly. Due to their rarity you will likely need to be prepared to purchase a weanling or unbroken youngster, but we promise it will be worth the wait as they grow!

Post World War 2

After the Second World War many of the remaining horses were exported to the USA and Japan and the UK population dwindled to only 4 pure bred stallions remaining.

PRICE TBD

STUDS

11 Listed

Check out nzfhs.co.nz/breeding/breeders for information about the current listed studs in NZ.

CLEVELAND BAY IS BORN

The early type of Cleveland Bay horse was developed in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1600's-1700's by crossing Barb horses into horses known as the 'Chapman Horses' which were used as pack horses. These same Barb horses were used in the creation of the Thoroughbred. They were bred for speed, stamina, strength and soundness for use in transport, farm work and navigating tough terrain - the same qualities NZ horse people seek when looking for a Stationbred type horse.

The Cleveland Bay is the oldest of the British breeds and is technically the last remaining purebred Warmblood horse.

1600s-1700

A royal intervention

It was Queen Elizabeth II who greatly assisted in the saving of the breed when she purchased the stallion Mulgrave Supreme which increased their popularity. She was appointed the Patron of the Cleveland Bay.

Through careful matchmaking and by breeding every available horse the breed has managed to recover while mitigating the inbreeding coefficient of the tight gene pool that remained. II 11IIII

Global History

USES FOR FRIESIAN HORSES

Section to be updated

5000

1945

Today's global population

1950s

HELP THE NZ FRIESIAN POPULATION

If you are keen to help this wonderful breed grow... here is what they are in need of in NZ.

Cleveland Bay stallion hunting in the UK

Sourced from Thorpeley Irish Draught and Rare Breed stud. (Focusing on Irish Draught horse, Suffolk Punch and Cleveland Bays.)

Arab and Andalusian was added to the Cleveland Bay and we land on the breed as we know it today. By the 19th century it was an admirable cavalry mount and became one of the most common draft and coach horses in Britain and the U.S.A.

1700s - 1800s

Refining the breed