About
About CFHA
Welcome to the Canadian Friesian Horse Association (CFHA), dedicated to advancing the Friesian breed registry in Canada.
Join us in our journey as we cultivate a registry focused on promoting, educating, and celebrating Friesian, Arabo Friesian, and Friesian Sport Horses. Together, let’s shape the future of these magnificent breeds.
Our Registry
The Canadian Friesian Horse Association takes pride in preserving the heritage thru the registry of Friesians, Friesian Sport Horses, and Arabo-Friesians.
Friesian Horses
Discover the captivating legacy of the Friesian horse, which originated centuries ago in Friesland, now part of the Netherlands. Revered for their strength and agility, Friesians served as cherished war horses during medieval times, accompanying knights into battles and crusades. Influenced by Arab and Andalusian bloodlines introduced during the 16th and 17th centuries, Friesians evolved with higher knee action and refined physical features. Despite facing extinction, dedicated breeders in Friesland rescued the breed in 1913, leading to a global revival with over 80 FPS-approved stallions worldwide. From classical riding schools to royal stables and international driving scenes, Friesians have left an indelible mark across history. With their distinctive black coats, luxurious manes, and amiable dispositions, Friesians enchant enthusiasts worldwide, promising continued popularity and admiration for their magnificence.
Discover the captivating legacy of the Friesian horse, which originated centuries ago in Friesland, now part of the Netherlands. Revered for their strength and agility, Friesians served as cherished war horses during medieval times, accompanying knights into battles and crusades. Influenced by Arab and Andalusian bloodlines introduced during the 16th and 17th centuries, Friesians evolved with higher knee action and refined physical features. Despite facing extinction, dedicated breeders in Friesland rescued the breed in 1913, leading to a global revival with over 80 FPS-approved stallions worldwide. From classical riding schools to royal stables and international driving scenes, Friesians have left an indelible mark across history. With their distinctive black coats, luxurious manes, and amiable dispositions, Friesians enchant enthusiasts worldwide, promising continued popularity and admiration for their magnificence.
Arabo-Friesian Horses
Friesian Sport Horses
Arabo-Friesians represent a deliberate effort to preserve the integrity of the Friesian breed while enhancing its athletic capabilities. Originating around 1900, crossbreeding aimed at making Friesians more adept for agricultural work inadvertently compromised their lung and heart volume, causing them to vanish from international equestrian arenas by the 1960s. To restore the breed’s vitality, breeders sought out select desert Arabian bloodlines, notably “Gharib” from the Marbach State Stud, to bolster endurance, toughness, and cardiovascular health. The resulting generations of Arabo-Friesians have excelled in various equestrian disciplines, winning championships and earning accolades in driving and dressage. With around 10% Arabian blood, Arabo-Friesians closely resemble pure Friesians while exhibiting smoother gaits and superior endurance, making them ideal for rigorous sporting competitions. Maintaining the “golden character” of Friesian bloodlines remains paramount, emphasizing the blend’s harmonious balance between Friesian elegance and Arabian resilience. Breeding focuses on achieving a -20% Arabian blood ratio, ensuring Arabo-Friesians embody the best of both breeds.