Good manners, level-headed, keen and inquisitive are characteristics that make the Friesian breed the favourite of so many. Yet, we also appreciate sensitive and spirited horses that do well at the highest levels. For breeders and recreational riders reliability is the most important characteristic by far. Calm and relaxed, steady and eager to work are other qualities that describe the ideal horse for non-competitive riders and drivers.
High on the wish list of recreational users are reliable, not overly sensitive (hot) horses with a good work ethos. People in (sub) top sports also value reliability and willingness to work, but also need their horses to be sensitive and responsive. It´s all about differentiation in the degree of sensitivity.
Measuring
A couple of years ago the KFPS set out to contrive a system for measuring characteristics. Since the start of 2013 a linear score form for characteristics is being used for ABFP tests and the Central Examination. These examinations have been singled out because the horses are supervised, trained and monitored for several weeks by a team of people.
The score form comprises eighteen characteristics which are divided into two segments: behaviour when being handled (stable manners) and behaviour during training. The score form does not pretend to give any judgement concerning good or bad in relation to a horse’s character. Comparable to the linear score form for exterior characteristics, the middle (C) represents the average of the population of Friesian horses. Letters B and D indicate a minor deviation and letters A and E indicate a major deviation from the average.
Sensitive ánd reliable
Initial deductions from the first 200 character scores present a fascinating picture. It appears that sensitivity is rather favourably linked to the characteristics trainability, responsiveness to the aids and learning capacity. There also seems to be a slight unfavourable correlation between sensitivity and reliability. This implies that selection on sensitivity (read: selection for sport horses) might lead to slightly less reliable horses in the long run. Which, incidentally, is not equal to every sensitive horse being less reliable as well.
From the results so far we may therefore tentatively conclude that it is of the utmost importance to include reliability in our selection criteria. This way we can ensure that the selection policy for sport horses (more sensitivity) will not have a negative impact on the reliability aspect.
Contact behaviour – Stable manners
Training manners
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