friesian horses

After having had a murgese stallion for over 20 years and given up riding after his death, I overcome my doubts and fears and got myself a nice baroque style friesian gelding. He is not yet 6, and very "unexercized", never having had a properly caring owner.
But he seems very gentle, willing, and quite "unhorsy" in some attitudes.
I would welcome any tips or suggestion if someone knows the breed.
I ride english and used a 4 reins byte on my old horse, but this one seemed to find it a bit too much for his mouth and I got a portuguese byte, which has still 4 reins but only one piece for him to manage.
I got the impression he needs very gentle touch and listen to voice.
He startles a bit. I live in the country and would like to do just a bit of working in the rectangle and riding outside with me.
We have no equine company, apart from my horse's son, which has never been ridden because of wobbler, and is a bit jealous now.
Welcome any advice! Thank you.

Hi,
I don't have anything to offer by way of help, but just want to say your horse is beautiful. Friesians are one of my favorite breeds and from what little I know about them, they are willing, intelligent and people oriented, as a whole.

Thank you lockwood!

Welcome to the forum! I have a Georgian Grande (Friesian x Saddlebred) and absolutely love her smooth ride. As for tack, I ride with a French link eggbutt. I prefer to start any horse with the most gentle and simple of bits possible.

Good luck with your boy! He's gorgeous! There are quite a few people here on this forum that have pure Friesians and Friesian crosses.

Cinder eve. I agree with you on being gentle. I'd love to see your horse.
I saw there are a lot of friesian crosses on the forum, they are not so common here in italy.
I'll let you know how I progress.

Your horse is very handsome
Welcome to the forums

Thankk you country woman. I enjoy the forum very much.

Your horse is beautiful! Good luck with him

Good luck with your Friesian

Hello! I worked at Full Spectrum Friesians of Lima, Ohio for almost two years. I have noticed that many of the friesians are laid back and very trusting, but there is the occasional weirdy that spooks more, and is a little more high strung. However they are often the ones that make the best dressage horses, and do the best at Keuring. It is not acceptable for the breed to be agressive, extremely hot, or hard to gain trust. That's not in a rule book of course, but it is an overall agreement. I don't know how he goes when you ride, but the less intense the bit is, the better. These horses naturally carry a beautiful frame, they may only need some fine tuning. The only rude friesian I have ever met was a young stallion that was way too smart for his own good and wasn't worked/exercised enough! Good luck with your handsome horse! P.S. - the feathers like to get all sorts of gross. MTG really helps sort this out if they begin to get skin issues under all that feather! Make sure your farrier leaves his upright hoof angle alone and doesn't bring it down too far!