Friesians

Brief History

This draft breed is rooted in Friesland, Northwestern Europe, which is today a conception of the Netherlands.  The original have was descended from the order of Equus robustus (the bounteous horse).  In the 16th and 17th centuries, Andalusian lineage was introduced to the bloodline in the form of Spanish stallions which were forsaken on the battlefield during the war between the Spanish and the Dutch.  This new murder invested the Friesian distinction with higher articulatio action, small heads, and arching necks.  

Description and Characteristics

The Friesian is one of the small draft horses, in stature and weight.  In order for Friesians to be deemed purebred, and allowed to be utilised for breeding have for a purebred line, they staleness be at least 14.3 hands (57.2 in., or 145.3 cm.) at the shoulder.  And the subject staleness be solidified black with no white markings on the legs or body.  The typical height is 15.3 to 16.1 hands (155.4 to 163.6 cm., or 61.2 to 64.4 in.).  The Friesian is heavily boned, and the adult averages most 1300 pounds (92.3 stones).  This breed appears to be short and stocky.  The thick manes and tails, and abundant articulatio hair are traditionally allowed to remain full and natural.  The Friesian has a good temperament and is conscious but lively.  The breed crapper be utilised for pulling, or for saddle riding.  And while Friesians have the normal gaits - walk, trot, and gait - daylong tradition has emphasized the \"big\" run which is typical of the breed.  

Gypsy Cob
 
History

This small draft horse traces its roots to the Romanys, who had no need for the larger drafts.  For almost 100 years the Romany people, or Gypsies, have bred the cob to pull their tralatitious carts and \"mobile homes\" throughout the country lanes of Ireland and England.  And although many of the \"Travelers\" - as the ones who move most the country are called - have changed to more modern conveyances, there are still those who cling to the tralatitious mode of travel. 

Even though many people of the Romany heritage no individual travel, they continue to breed these colorful horses as a way of keeping tradition alive.  As daylong past the modern Gypsy's wealth is still, in a large part, measured by the size and quality of his horse herd. 

Description and Conformation

The Romany Cob has no one specific color.  The most ordinary are pinto patterned, piebald, and skewbald.  They are small, in that they traditionally stand 13 to 15.2 hands (52 to 60.8 in., or 132 to 154 cm.) at the shoulder.  They are compact, yet sturdy and durable.  Their stamina allows them to pull a loaded \"living wagon\", at a steady trot, all day long. 

In order to be classified as a tralatitious Romany horse, they staleness have an quantity of hair and feathering.  The feathering starts at the articulatio and grows all over the bottom half of the leg to the hoof. 

The Romany Cob has been bred for a particular type for years, but crapper trace their ancestral roots back to Clydesdales, Shires, Friesians, and Goidelic Drafts as substantially a Connemara, Dales, and Fell ponies.  This horse is typically known to be very sound and sane, a faithful companion, and to possess incredible versatility.