Two Friesians Join My Herd
My Bedford, New York farm is now home to two more equids - two sweet, handsome, young Friesian horses from Holland named Hylke and Geert.
If you follow me on Instagram @MarthaStewart48, you may have already seen them. The 11-year old males arrived less than two weeks ago. Within days, my equine veterinarian gave them both thorough check-ups and my farrier fitted them with new winter shoes. So far, they’re doing great - they're eating well and enjoying the time in their paddock. Everyone here at the farm is thrilled to have them here.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here they are, safe and sound at my farm, Cantitoe Corners. They seem to like their new paddock and their first experience with snow.
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- Hylke and Geert came from Stal Okkema Stables in Britswert, Netherlands. The Friesian Horse originated in Holland, where they were put to work in the fields. Nowadays, Friesians are used in dressage competitions and as carriage horses because they are so handsome and nimble. I love these stately equines and find them to be gentle, responsive, and animated.
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- Before arriving in the United States, Hylke and Geert stayed at Horses2Fly in Holland, a professional horse transport company. The Friesian is most often recognized by its bold black coat color. They have long, arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared, “Spanish-type” heads. They also have powerful, sloping shoulders, compact, muscular bodies with strong hindquarters, and low-set tails.
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- Both horses didn’t seem to mind traveling at all. They flew directly to JFK International Airport here in New York. The two are a bonded pair, so as long as they are near each other, they are happy.
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- The horses arrived at the farm in the evening and were walked right into their stalls. This is Hylke. He was very curious from the beginning, looking over at my donkeys and greeting all who welcomed him at my stable.
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- And here is Geert – also very alert and interested in his new surroundings.
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- After a couple days of rest and visits with my equine veterinarian and farrier, Hylke and Geert were let out into the paddock.
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- A Friesian horse has a long, thick mane and tail, often wavy, and “feather” long, silky hair on the lower legs always left untrimmed. Here, one can see Hylke’s forelock is braided.
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- On this morning, the two seemed very interested in their new stable mates…
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- …Rinze, Banchunch, and Bond. These boys are in the paddock directly across the boxwood allee. Outside, all the horses wear Rambo Supreme Turnout Rugs from Horseware Ireland, a company based in Dundalk that focuses on making breathable equine covers that don’t leak or slip.
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- My stable manager, Helen Peparo, leads the horses back to the stable for lunch and grooming. Here she is with Hylke. A Friesian can weigh anywhere between 1200 and 1500 pounds, but both Hylke and Geert are well-behaved and walk easily by her side.
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- And look who’s watching nearby – three of my beautiful peafowl perched perfectly on the wagon.
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- After several hours outside running and playing, Helen puts on these Airmax Coolers from Rambo and Horseware Ireland. These blankets are made to wick moisture, keep the horses warm in winter and dry in summer. And, I love that the outside color is black to match my handsome Friesians.
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- The Rambo Airmax Cooler rug is also fitted with detachable surcingles, and disc front closures, so they are very easy to put on and take off.
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- The stalls are mucked out every day, cleaned and filled with new shavings. Hylke and Geert always have lots of nutritious hay in their mangers – hay that’s grown right here at my farm.
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- This is Hylke, back in his stall waiting to be groomed.
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- Across the stable are my donkeys. Here are the girls – Billie and Jude “JJ” Junior.
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- Every afternoon, all my horses are groomed. This means their coats are cleaned, brushed, and combed, and their hooves are picked of any mud, stones, and debris. It’s a time-consuming task, but it keeps these stable residents healthy, happy, and handsome.
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- Last week, my farrier, Linda Friedman, came by to fit the new horses with winter shoes. Linda is a regular visitor at the farm. She has been a farrier for more than 30 years and she is a master at trimming and shoeing horses’ hooves. Shoeing is quite a complicated process, as each shoe is custom fitted onto each hoof.
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- All my horses use Rambo halters also from Horseware Ireland. These halters are well fitted with padding to protect sensitive areas of the head. They are designed so they never get in the way of the horse’s view. Here is Helen brushing Geert’s legs – I think Geert is falling asleep. What a good boy.
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- At the end of the day, the stable is quiet once again – the horses are all in their stalls, groomed, fed, and warm. I’ll see you later, my handsome Geert. One of the things I appreciate about working from home is all the extra time I get to spend with my pets – they all give me so much joy.
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