Distinctive Hooves: Friesian vs. Percheron – Unraveling the Distinctions

I gotta tell ya about the time I tried riding a Friesian for the first time.

This tall, proud steed nearly tossed me right off into the mud! I learned real quick that handling these powerful horses takes some skill.

But that experience got me thinking – how do Friesians compare to those other gentle giants, the Percherons? Both are feast for the eyes, but they’re as different as a filly and a colt.

I’ve been around horses all my life on my family’s farm, so I know a thing or two about equines.

And in my humble opinion, your choice between a Friesian or Percheron depends on what you want from the relationship.

Do you want a flashy show horse or a hardy work companion? Let’s break it down.

Size – Percherons Are Larger

Both breeds stand tall, but Percherons have a heavier build. The average Friesian stallion hits about 15.3 hands and weighs in around 1,400 pounds.

A Percheron stallion averages a full hand taller at 16.2 hands and tips the scales around 2,000 pounds. That’s a lot of horsepower!

To give you a sense of scale, when I went to go see that giant Friesian who dumped me off, he was a stallion named Othello who stood 16.1 hands and weighed in at a muscular 1,500 lbs.

But later I went to a Percheron breeding farm and met Zeus, their champion sire. That fella towered over little ol’ me at a whopping 17.3 hands and 2,300 lbs of thundering muscle. So between the two breeds, Percherons have a clear size advantage.

The breeds also have different builds. Friesians have a more refined skeletal structure with expressive heads, arched necks and compact bodies.

Percherons have thicker bones, larger hooves and broader hindquarters meant for pulling heavy loads. If you want a draft horse but need a lower center of gravity, the shorter Friesian is a better choice.

Temperament – Friesians Are More Spirited

Friesians are known for their energetic spirit. Some say they’re hot-blooded. Percherons have a reputation as gentle giants.

They’re famous for their mild manners and willingness to work. So if you want an animated horse that will keep you on your toes, the Friesian is your huckleberry. But if you prefer a steady Eddy, you can’t beat a Percheron’s even keel.

I definitely experienced that lively Friesian spirit firsthand trying to ride Othello! That smooth-coated black stallion wanted to show off his fancy footwork rather than plod along.

One buck from his powerful hindquarters and I was eating mud pies! But the Percheron mares on our farm are as calm as can be, happy to keep plowing all day long.

Temperament also varies within each breed. Friesian sport horse lines have been bred to be especially intelligent and trainable for competitive dressage and jumping. But the old fashioned baroque Friesian bloodlines retain the hot-headed fire that makes them a handful for novice riders like yours truly.

On the flip side, some Percheron lines have been selectively bred to be more spirited for use in light draft competitions. But most retain their phlegmatic personality that us farm folks know and love. So do your homework to choose the right individual temperament for your needs.

Movement – Friesians Are Flashier

If you’ve ever seen a Friesian perform the airs above ground like the levade or capriole, you know they can really move.

No wonder they star in so many movies! The Percheron has athleticism too, but their forte is pulling heavy loads thanks to their tremendous strength and stamina.

Watching Othello practice those synchronized aerial maneuvers sure took my breath away! His rider guided him into a rear, and then a jump from his hind legs without losing balance.

Meanwhile, our Percheron mare Bessie may not be able to prance on her hindquarters like a ballerina, but she can steadily drag a fully loaded hay wagon all day without breaking a sweat.

Friesians inherit their athletic prowess from ancestors used as light cavalry chargers during the Middle Ages. Their strong, sloping hindquarters allow for impressive impulsion and suspension. Percherons have been bred as heavy draft horses, valued more for their raw power than precision footwork.

But both breeds are intelligent and willing partners. With proper training, either can become more graceful or stronger as needed. The key is choosing a horse whose natural movement suits your goals, whether dazzling dressage or hardworking farm labor.

Coat Color – Friesians Are Usually Black

That beautiful, flowing mane and tail on a Friesian? Always as black as a moonless night. Percherons come in black too, along with gray and bay. So Percherons have more variety if you want something other than black. But nothing beats the dramatic look of an inky black Friesian in full feather.

Purebred Friesians have a version of a gene that restricts their coat color to black. Even their hooves, noses, and eyes are almost devoid of pigment. The effect is absolutely stunning, like a fairytale horse come to life. Now Percherons do have a subset called Manchado that are striking solid black. But most commonly they are seen in black, gray or bay coats.

If you want flash, Friesians deliver with their glossy obsidian coats and wavy manes cascading to their knees. But don’t overlook the appeal of a dappled gray Percheron shining in the sun or a muscular blood bay. Their mane and tail may be more sparse, but are still thick and flowing in their own right.

Uses – Percherons Excel at Farm Work

Friesians still pull carriages thanks to their eye-catching presence. But Percherons were literally bred to be working farm horses. So if you need a strong, steady partner to help plow the fields or pull heavy equipment, hitch up a Percheron. Friesians are better suited for the show ring or trail rides.

Hitching up our Percheron team to the hay wagon or manure spreader sure makes those chores go smoother. They work hard all day without complaint. Friesians may lack some of the raw power for tough farm labor. But they certainly garner attention giving carriage rides to the public. And their smooth gaits and surefootedness make them ideal for recreational trail riding in the mountains.

The Percheron’s farm heritage goes back to their origins pulling mail coaches in rural France. The Friesian’s history as a flashy knight’s horse makes them well-suited for demonstrations and parades. So consider what job you need your horse to perform before deciding between these breeds.

Maintenance – Friesians Require More Grooming

That long, silky mane and tail on a Friesian comes at a cost – they require extensive grooming to keep all that hair tangle-free and shining! Percherons have sparser manes and tails that need little upkeep. Both breeds shed their winter coats in spring, but the Friesian loses huge chunks of hair that can felt into mats if not removed daily.

I’ll never forget the massive clumps of fuzzy undercoat Zeus blew out in the springtime. The hair would collect in drifts along the fence lines like little black tumbleweeds. But Othello looked like he was molting a yak’s coat, with piles of long wavy hair around his feet. To keep him looking slick, we had to brush and bathe him daily until his sleek summer coat came in.

The Percheron’s shorter hair is less prone to tangles and mats. A quick curry combing and mane/tail brushing keeps them tidy. But maintaining a Friesian’s lustrous coat and waves is a labor of love. You’ll need grooming tools like a shedding blade, detangler spray, mane/tail comb and boar bristle brushes. Daily care prevents problems, along with keeping their long hair trimmed and banged.

Of course, good nutrition and health impacts any horse’s coat quality. But when it comes to beauty maintenance, there’s no question the Friesian’s flowing locks require more work. For some equestrians, all that grooming is part of the pleasure of owning this eye-catching breed.

Hooves – Friesians Are Prone to Brittle Hooves

Due to their heavier bulk, Percherons tend to have large, dense hooves that hold up well. Friesians have more delicate pasterns and lighter bone structure, making their hooves more prone to chipping and cracking.

Those dainty Friesian hooves sure kept our farrier busy patching cracks and replacing lost shoes. Some folks say it’s the price they pay for having such a refined leg and ankle. The heavier bone and broader hooves of our Percherons could take plenty of wear and tear before needing a trim or new shoes.

Proper trimming and shoeing helps support the Friesian’s fragile hooves. A diet with supplements like biotin can maximize hoof health too. But their hooves will likely need more frequent care than a Percheron’s sturdier feet. Discuss options like gel pads and composite shoes with your farrier to prevent excess cracking.

Environmental conditions affect hooves too. Dry, rocky terrain or nutrition deficiencies exacerbate cracks and chips. Muddy pasture provides cushioning but can lead to thrush. Work with your farrier to develop the best hoof care plan for your individual horse and conditions.

History – Both Breeds Originated as War Horses

Friesians and Percherons share origins as horses bred for warfare, though their battlefield roles differed. The agile Friesian was a knight’s mount, while the powerful Percheron pulled armored wagons.

Looking at a burly Percheron, it’s hard to imagine them charging into battle! But centuries ago, their ancestors were lighter and faster war horses pulling supply wagons and artillery through muddy fields. Their substance and soundness kept the cavalry marching. Meanwhile, the early medieval Friesian was renowned as a charger able to carry armored knights into the fray with speed and agility.

Once gunpowder changed the nature of warfare, both breeds transitioned to agricultural work. The Friesian lightened draft loads and continued as a riding horse. And the Percheron became the quintessential heavy draft breed. But echoes of their martial history remain, from the Friesian’s arched neck to carry a knight’s helmet to the Percheron’s steady temperament amid chaos.

So despite their different build, both breeds share a proud history of equine service during wartime. That courage and loyalty under pressure carry forward in their temperaments today.

Training – Percherons Are Easier to Train

The Percheron’s calm demeanor and eager-to-please personality generally make them easier to train than the spirited Friesian. But both breeds are intelligent and can excel with consistent training.

Those high-stepping Friesian stallions sure kept their trainers on their toes! It took firm but gentle guidance to channel all that energy into graceful movements. Meanwhile, our Percheron geldings seemed naturally attuned to their handlers’ requests, happily following each new command.

Positive reinforcement and clear communication are key with any horse. But Friesians may test boundaries more than the acquiescent Percheron.

Using lunging and round pen work to establish leadership and rhythm before under-saddle training can help Focusing training in short, engaging sessions suits the Friesian’s active mind too. The Percheron will plod along steadily even in lengthy workouts.

With time and trust, both breeds blossom under training. But the Percheron’s inherent composure gives them an early edge.

Don’t let the Friesian’s dramatic presence fool you into thinking they’re born ready for the spotlight! Proper training is essential regardless of breed.

Grace & Power: Comparing Friesian and Percheron Breeds for Your Stable