Many breeders of Friesian horses have questions about our breeders group. Please find a number of frequently asked questions and their answers below.
How did Breeders Group 'Health in Progress' start?
The founders felt the need to exchange information about ways to achieve genetic progress in terms of health and vitality in the breeding of Friesian horses. They approached a number of fellow breeders and enthusiasts and this is how the current Breeders Group started.
Is 'Health in Progress' against a closed studbook?
No! Breeding in a closed population has produced a contemporary Friesian horse, that we can be proud of for good reasons. Breeding in a closed population must continue and the pursuit of genetic progress in health and vitality within that closed population has the full support of Health in Progress. In addition, our Breeders Group wants to look into the open (expanded) breeding of Friesian horses. This open breeding with the same breeding goal, will provide genetic information that can also benefit selection for health and vitality within the closed population.
What is the course of action for expanded breeding suggested by 'Health in Progress'?
Step one is to (re)register outcross offspring with the KFPS. Our group has not been discouraged by the outcome of several regional meetings in The Netherlands and the position of the KFPS Member Council in 2023. Expanded Friesian breeding belongs under the umbrella of the KFPS and 'Health in Progress' will continue to do everything it can to gain support for this. The national and European breeding regulations are not necessarily obstacles in this regard.
Does 'Health in Progress' promote the breeding of full Friesians with outcross horses?
For the time being, we focus on horses with a maximum of 50% Friesian blood. The reason for this is that there are indications that the genetic markers for connective tissue problems in particular are very widely distributed within the closed population. It's the reason we won't be pairing full Friesians with outcross horses, for now. A half Friesian can of course be bred to another half Friesian to further the expanded Friesian breeding programme.
Does expanded Friesian breeding result in useable horses?
In expanded breeding - just like in traditional Friesian breeding - there will be foals born that are less suitable to further breeding. This may be because they are not completely black or because they are otherwise less typical Friesian horses. That's okay. Healthy horses with a good character can be widely used for recreation or sport. Many full Friesian foals are also sold for these purposes. Many hobby riders and drivers are mainly looking for a healthy and hardy horse with a good character. We breed this kind of horses.
