Choosing the right Friesian stallion to breed with your mare can be intimidating. If you’re thinking about breeding your mare, there’s a good chance you’ve already put a lot of thought into it. After all, the stallion’s genes will make up half of your mare’s future foal! But what exactly should you be looking for? Are some attributes of the horse more important than others? Keep reading to find out!

Factors to Consider

When deciding which stallion to breed for your mare, there’s a lot to think about. You should look for a stallion whose conformation, movement, performance, and pedigree will best suit your mare for the particular purpose for which the mare is being bred. 

On a large scale, there is a broad goal in breeding Friesian horses according to the KFPS:
“A functionally-built utility horse possessing the Friesian breed characteristics, that is healthy and vital, has the aptitude to perform in the sport, has a reliable character and good trainability.”

1. Intended Discipline

When choosing a stallion, you need to consider what you have in mind for the foal’s future. Do you want to breed a foal for competing in dressage? Or are you hoping to have a horse for driving? No matter the discipline, consider it when deciding which stallion to breed for your Friesian mare. Be sure that his performance and pedigree align with what you want to do with your foal.

2. Conformation

The conformation of the chosen Friesian stallion will have a significant impact on the foal. What is the stallion’s physical type? Are there any major conformation flaws you need to be aware of? Those flaws could be passed down to your mare’s baby.

3. Temperament

A stallion’s temperament is an attribute that can be passed down to his foal. How does he behave while being handled? How is he around other horses? If you can visit the stallion to see what he’s like to be around. If that’s not possible, talk to people who have spent time with him.

4. Complement Your Mare

The first step is finding a well-bred stallion. Then, you need to consider how the pedigree, conformation, and temperament will compliment your mare. For example, if your mare doesn’t have a great trot, you’ll want to pick a Friesian stallion that has a great trot.

In the end, you’re looking for a correct, well-balanced combination.  That way, the chosen stallion’s strengths can enhance any of your mare’s shortcomings and vice versa. The easiest way to identify the stallion’s characteristics is to use the linear score sheet.

5. Linear Score Sheet

A linear score sheet is the judging results of a Friesian stallion at a Keuring. Judges use the sheet to compare your horse to the breed standard. The score sheet uses 25 criteria and five characteristics to judge the horse: racial type, frame, feet and legs, walk, and trot gaits. Each of these elements is evaluated on a scale between 5-45. An average Friesian stallion will score a 25 on any given trait. 

The results of the linear score sheet will be put on the stallion’s registration papers. These scores are a great way to determine if the stallion is a good fit for your mare. 

Learn how to read and interpret a Linear score sheet in our Linear Score Sheet Explained article.