Ailea's Friesians

12/07/2024

RESEARCH SIMULATES BREEDING STRATEGIES TO REDUCE INBREEDING IN FRIESIAN HORSES

While the current inbreeding rate is below 1%, researchers recommend that the studbook implement additional strategies to further reduce inbreeding rates below 0.5% in the Friesian horse population.

To accomplish this goal, researchers recommend that the KFPS adopt a strategy based on mating quotas for approved stallions tied to their individual average kinship compared to the population's average kinship.

Read the Full Article Here:
https://www.fenwayfoundation.com/post/research-simulates-breeding-strategies-to-reduce-inbreeding-in-friesian-horses

07/07/2024

The 2024 inspections will be here in no time!

📣 The 2024 Inspections will be fast approaching and the excitement is beginning to build!

📌 We are reaching out to all participants with a reminder to register your horses for the Inspections by the deadline date. Registrations received after the designated date will be charged a late fee.

Owners need to be an active member with a full membership for this event. Please refer to the FHANA website under the Inspections page for detailed information.

𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐘 𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐈𝐓
𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐈𝐓 1-𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕 1, 2024: New England, New York, British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario

𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐈𝐓 2-𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕 29: Tennessee, Central California, Pacific Northwest, Kansas, and Iron Springs Farm

𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐈𝐓 3-𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕 29: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas
Circuit 5-October 1: Frankfort Kentucky

Photo Credit - Michelle Franke Photo Design

31/05/2024

Colic is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in horses at any time, including during a mare’s postpartum recovery period. Various factors can increase the likelihood of colic in postpartum mares, such as dietary changes, stress, and limited mobility during the rec...

05/02/2024

The one and only Alwin 469 Sport Pref AAA is coming to the US!!!!

02/02/2024

Teun 505 Sport AAA 😍

30/01/2024

2024 Inspection Schedule for North America

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Inspection schedule is posted on the Inspection tab of the Friesian Horse Association’s website. For background, Inspection applications from potential Site Hosts are due October 15 for the following calendar year. These Site Host Applications can be found on the Inspection page; the website has applications for public venues and for private venues. The following outlines the review and approval process that was conducted following the Site Host application due date.

o Site Host applications were reviewed by the Inspection Committee following October 15. The Inspection Committee reviewed:
 The geographical area of the proposed Inspection site;
 The proximity of other Inspections in that geographical region;
 And the projected number of horses anticipated at the site.
• Note - Up to last year twenty horses were needed to cover the costs of the Inspection logistics including judges’ flights, ground travel, hotels, meals and the like in the past. Now, due to inflation and the high costs of travel, this benchmark had to be increased in 2024 to twenty-four horses in order for a site to be financially feasible.
 If there was an Inspection held in that area in prior years, past entries are also reviewed for trends to determine if there is a pattern of the entry numbers.
o Participants’ feedback if the applicant hosted Inspections in the past;
o Cost (fees) for attending the Inspection;
o And the feedback from the KFPS as it relates to the judges’ availability to travel to and tour across North America.
o The Finance Committee reviewed the anticipated Circuit costs along with the projected Inspection revenue to predict if the Circuits are financially feasible.
o The Board of Director reviewed the proposed Inspection sites and Circuits, made recommendations to the Inspection Committee when adjustments were needed, and approved the final Inspection plan for North America.

This year, sixteen sites were approved based on projections to meet the twenty-four horse threshold, historical entry trends, and members’ feedback. Reducing the number of sites approved in 2024 was a very difficult decision for the Inspection Committee and the Board of Directors. However, we need to be responsible stewards of our association’s finite funds. We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience or frustration these decisions has caused our members affected by this decision.

Moving forward we do encourage members to apply in 2025. For those not meeting the twenty-four horse threshold, having one year off may lead to a larger number of entries in the 2025 Inspection cycle. The Inspection Committee and the Board are also considering other options for hosting and as these are developed, we will provide periodic updates to our membership. This includes but is not limited to consolidation of adjacent sites or approving Inspections at a low volume location every other year. While the Inspection Committee and the Board has historically approved low volume sites on a every other year rotation (or three year), these sites are considered solely on the fact that they are very remotely located from other Inspection sites.

The Inspection Committee and the Board of Directors would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of our hardworking Inspection site hosts and volunteers, our generous sponsors and donors, all of our Inspection participants and attendees, and we would like to extend our gratitude to the KFPS Judges and Jury who make these events possible.

Inspection Committee Members: Marq Laude, Chair, Tiffany van der Kooi, Rick Butts, Annie Muilwijk, Carrie Blair, Julie Karpus, Annette Carpenter, Jason Tice, Executive Director, and Jo Clough, Board Liaison.

22/01/2024

When to blanket!

20/01/2024

Did you know?

FUN FACT FRIDAY! Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice, good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
•
Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

19/01/2024

Active members don’t forget to go vote for the 2024 FHANA Board of Directors! Voting ends January 31st!

Have you voted for the 2024 FHANA Board of Directors? If not, what are you waiting for? There is still time to vote as voting will end Jan. 31, 2024. Ballots were emailed out to all active members on Jan. 1 and should be in your inbox waiting to be cast. If you haven't received your ballot, please contact the office and we would be happy to send out another ballot to your email address that is on file.

Meet the candidates here: https://fhana.com/news/meet-the-2024-board-of-director-candidates/

17/12/2023

Brookside Friesians is thrilled to announce that SIPKE 450 SPORT AA will be joining our family and returning to the UNITED STATES! He will be joining our stallion roster for the 2024 breeding season!!

02/11/2023

Join us on Tuesday, November 14th at 1 PM EDT USA and 7 PM Netherlands for a free educational webinar on Aortic Rupture in Friesian horses, presented by Dr. Veronique Saey and Dr. Gunther van Loon from Ghent University!

Aortic rupture is a presumed genetic disease that occurs in Friesian horses at higher rates than in other breeds and is fatal. This webinar will cover aortic pathology, characterization and symptoms of aortic rupture, diagnostic methods for identifying aortic rupture, and aortic rupture research efforts.

📝 REGISTRATION: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ps_DyCXhSH6AWZdH77sofQ

➡️ This webinar will be recorded and posted to our website once the webinar is concluded. Everyone who registers will receive a link to watch the webinar. Even if you cannot attend live, be sure to sign up!

21/08/2023

Having fun with the ponies and recreating my favorite scene from pirates of the Caribbean 🤣

90 likes, 4 comments. Check out Ailea's video.

15/08/2023

Happy Monday!

Alexis Reyenga and Omer 493 Sport AAA

02/08/2023

How terrible!

BRATTLEBORO — The owner of Friesians of Majesty horse farm said in court on Tuesday that he would fight the forfeiture of 13 of his horses which were taken from

12/07/2023

21/04/2023

Despite our best efforts, every Friesian owner will eventually bid farewell to a beloved Friesian horse. Many times, their departure will be after a long and rewarding life. Unfortunately, there will be times when a horse’s departure is totally unexpected and completely premature; in those occurrences, the Fenway Foundation, in cooperation with the KFPS and researchers from around the world, hope to learn from those events. To accomplish this, we need your help!!

Your Friesian’s necropsy may be the key to unlocking the answers researchers are desperately searching for. The Fenway Foundation will reimburse you (up to $400 USD) for your Friesian's necropsy and histopathology reports.

To learn more about our Necropsy Assistance Program, please go to https://www.fenwayfoundation.com/research

To view our memorial page, honoring many of the nearly 200 Friesians to date whose necropsies have been donated in support of our research efforts, please go to: https://www.fenwayfoundation.com/in-memoriam

07/03/2023

Which body type is your favorite?

Friesians come in different shapes and sizes. This graphic has been shared on the internet countless times. However, it is a great visual for folks who are new to our beloved breed!

24/02/2023

Research Demonstrates Friesian Horses have Different Cardiac Measurements

The equine heart is an impressive organ. The heart is composed of four chambers that provide the pumping function needed to supply blood to the body. The upper chambers are called the left and right atria. The lower chambers are called the left and right ventricle. There are also various in and out flow vessels in the heart to support blood flow. In simple terms, the function of the right side of the heart (right atrium, right ventricle) is to pump blood to the lungs, where oxygen is added and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood. The function of the left side of the heart (left atrium, left ventricle) is to pump blood to the rest of the body, where oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues, and waste products (such as carbon dioxide) are removed. Together, the four chambers of the heart perform an impressive and complicated symphony, pumping and supplying blood to the body, every moment of every day throughout the horse’s life.

A recent study conducted by Ghent University in Belgium compared the cardiac measurements of 100 Friesians and 100 Warmbloods and found that in general, the left and right ventricle internal diameter measurements of Friesian horses were significantly smaller than those of Warmbloods. Additionally, the measurement of the heart's muscular output contractions (Fractional Shortening and Ejection Fraction) in Friesian horses was higher, indicating the heart of a Friesian horse contracts harder than a Warmblood’s heart to achieve sufficient blood output.

Research has demonstrated an “athletic heart” is linked to positive endurance related performance in horses. One study in particular found cardiac measurements, specifically left ventricle measurements, correlated with performance and showed strong heritability levels. Another study, which specifically studied fitness levels of Friesian horses, confirmed for the first time that genetics do indeed influence fitness in horses- something proven long ago in humans.

Research has confirmed Friesians have a different response to training and reach their anaerobic threshold at a lower workload than other breeds. It is possible there is a correlation between the smaller cardiac measurements of Friesian’s and aerobic endurance. Riders and trainers of Friesian horses should understand continuous exercise, particularly at the canter, might initially exceed the aerobic threshold of some Friesian horses early in their athletic conditioning. Some Friesian horses may require shorter periods of more intense aerobic exercise until they can work up to longer periods.

The Gent University study led to the publication of echocardiographic (heart ultrasound) reference intervals specific to Friesian horses. These reference intervals may be shared with your veterinarian for use when conducting clinical diagnostics of the heart.

Link to study, including echocardiographic reference intervals: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.15938

References

Vernemmen, Ingrid & Lisse, Vera & van steenkiste, Glenn & van Loon, Gunther & Decloedt, Annelies. (2020). Reference values for 2‐dimensional and M‐mode echocardiography in Friesian and Warmblood horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 34.

M., Younes & Robert, Celine & Barrey, Eric. (2014). Genetic Component of Endurance Ability. Equine Veterinary Journal. 46.

Munsters CCBM, van den Broek J, van Weeren R, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM. Young Friesian horses show familial aggregation in fitness response to a 7-week performance test. Vet J. 2013;198(1):193-199.

19/01/2023

An 8-year-old pony gelding in Dakota County was diagnosed with Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) on January 13. The horse is hospitalized and is showing signs of recovery. The site where the horse was boarded is under a mandatory quarantine until 21 days from the last exposure to the infected horse.

EHM is a highly contagious horse disease, and biosecurity is the best way to protect your horses and stop the spread of disease. Winter is a prime time to stay on top of barn biosecurity. While horses are warm and snug inside the barn, illness may also be lingering. It's important to keep biosecurity at the forefront of barn care to prevent spread of infection. Here are a few important steps you can take to keep your horses healthy:

• Stalls should be cleaned regularly, and waste stored in an area away from horses. Do not reuse cleaning equipment for other purposes like feed.
• Prevent horse-to-horse contact between stalls.
• Clean and disinfect stalls between horses.
• Wash your hands between handling horses. Hand sanitizer may be used if water is unavailable, however, you need to remove all organic debris from hands for the sanitizer to be effective.
• Feed equipment like water buckets and feed tubs should not be shared between horses.

For more information on EHM, please visit our website: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/1d505ee

NOTE: Stock photo.

12/01/2023

🖤🖤🖤

On Tuesday, January 10, Jasper 366, the ‘King of the stallions’ fell asleep at the age of 28. Jasper 366 was the crowd favorite of the Stallion Inspection and in breeding he was groundbreaking with his swinging movement.

We are Fortunate at FSR to Have Jasper 366 Offsprings in our Stalls. RIP Jasper 366

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas 🎄 & Happy holidays to all ❤️

18/12/2022

Freyja in a blizzard