Which is a better breed of horse, Hanoverian or Friesian?
Feb.16, 2010 in
Hanovarian Horses
I'm doing research for a novel that I'm writing and want to know what kind of horse a young Eastern European royal would be riding, a Hanoverian or a Friesian. If there is, in your opinion a better breed, other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I mean for this horse to be quite robust. . . There's an escape from a castle in the novel on horseback, and it also needs to be quite intelligent, because the rider will be shooting off a bow and arrow and the horse can't be spooked.
elf Bosnia 1 Suverena 1996 Hanoverian Horse
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February 16th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Depends on what you are giong to use the horse for. It’s pretty unfair to stereo-type any breed, but some breeds make better jumpers, some better dressage horses, etc.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
asking which breed is better is one of those things where everyone has their opinion. it really depends on what you need the horse for and why you have the horse. all horses have their stregnths and weaknesses (just like people) so it all depends. i like fresians, but that’s my opinion.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Probley a Fresian.
They are a black horse with beautiful feet,
Your readers will probley enjoy reading about a Beautiful Black Fresian with a long mane and tail.
But personally i think a Lipizzaner stallion would be way better. If you have ever seen there show. Those horses tricks would of mostly of been used for helping in the war. And there usually not a spooky horse.
But i hope this helps with your book.
RidesWithTheWind
xoxo
February 16th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
A fresian because they are so beautiful
February 16th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
When they were shooting bows and arrows I doubt either breed was around!
February 16th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Ok, this is for a book so reality doesn’t matter! Of course either breed could work. Most often, in films, I see the use of the Friesian. Yet, a dark Hannoverian (just one of many German Warmbloods) would look quite cool! If this is a medieval scene, and clearly your character is wealthy (or stole a wealthy individual’s horse!), you could use any breed from around Europe (how about a Russian breed? a Czech breed perhaps??? or maybe a breed from Spain or even from the Near East. A grey Andalusian (Spanish, robust, commonly seen in films)? A Lusitano (Spain)? an Arabian (but they’re not robust, they’re refined)? Color choice? Black and Grey are the usual choices (for whatever mood you want to set).
Sounds like an entertaining read!!!
Friesians (black) are found in a film titled The Musketeer
Andalusians (bay and grey) are found in The Three Musketeers (Disney)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (film) features Andalusian types
Zorro (Antonio Banderas film) – features a Friesian
LadyHawke (film) features a Friesian
Film stunt trainer, Mario Luraschi uses mostly Andalusians/Lusitanos
and you can see his website for pictures:
http://www.luraschi.com/gb/index.php
Just do a google image search with “Mario Luraschi” and you’ll see plenty of gorgeous horses to inspire your ideas.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Neither breed existed as they do today in Eastern Europe. The hanovarian is a recent breed, developed in Hanover, Germany. The horse we see today was refined from being a carriage horse, so it would NOT be an ideal war mount.
The Friesian was developed in Friesland, Netherlands as a war mount. This is what you’d see a knight riding. The Friesians at the time were much heavier than the lighter animal we see today. That’s because after the 15th century, the heavy night was no longer a central figure (gunfire came into play and no armor held up to a gun), so the breed was made lighter with Andalusion blood and eventually made into a carriage horse.
The Lippizaner would be more appropriate as they are strongly linked to Czechoslovakia and Austria. They were trained in the art of Dressage (which is simply a display of skills necessary in battle), and considering that they are the classic fairy tale white, it would sound good.
The Haflinger was developed in then Austria, now Italy, but I don’t know how old the breed is.
There are also several Arabian breeds, like the Polish Arab that would be more common in Europe.
However, a draft of some sort is your most likely mount for the time. It wouldn’t be quite as heavy as some seen today, but a good war horse was big and wide. But to be completely honest, breed wasn’t as important then. A good horse was a good horse, and the average bloke didn’t know what a breed was. Breeds became more prominent in the 17th century and on. So, just create the horse you want, make him either a light arab type, or a heavy draft type and don’t mention breed.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Friesian! Very majestic horses, also plenty expensive. =)
A royal would look perfect sitting atop those coal black beautys.
Unless the rider jumps.. Then a hanovarian is good lol.
=Edit= Of course an Arabian is perfect in every way for anything haha.. But they dont have the presance a Draft type horse would have, they are more fine and beautiful. But, it would be more realistic as they have been around for a long time. They are fast, and very smart. I love my Arabians =)