The Friesian Advocate

In this episode, we explore what research can tell us about longevity in the Friesian breed, including patterns in age at death, the influence of disease and genetics, and why lifespan is more complicated than a simple average. We also discuss how this information can help guide future efforts to improve the health and longevity of Friesian horses.

In this episode, we provide an update on the Fenway Foundation’s research into megaesophagus in Friesian horses. We discuss what we have learned so far, how our understanding of this complex disease has evolved, the challenges we currently face, and how Friesian horse owners can help move the research forward.

Learn about the creation of the Kelnhofer Friesian Genomics Lab and Fenway’s newest major health initiative, the Friesian DNA bank. We discuss what a DNA bank is, why the Friesian breed needs a dedicated long-term research resource, how this connects to megaesophagus and gastroparesis research, and what we hope the lab will make possible for the future of Friesian health.

PPID, often still called “Cushing’s” in horses, is one of the most common diagnoses in older horses, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Andy Durham to break down what PPID actually is, why testing can be so confusing, and what owners can realistically expect when it comes to diagnosis and management.

What does it really mean for a mare to be “high-risk” during pregnancy and foaling? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ahmed Tibary to break down the most common risk factors, warning signs owners should never ignore, and the decisions that can make the biggest difference for both mare and foal.

Dr. Rebecca Bellone joins us to discuss distichiasis in Friesian horses — the science behind the associated genetic variant, what incomplete penetrance means, and how testing results can be thoughtfully integrated into breeding programs while preserving genetic diversity.

Part II of Ask Us Anything is here! In this episode, we answer questions from Friesian owners about topics they care about, including general health issues, feed and nutrition, grooming, supplements, and more!

You asked, and we answered! In this episode, we answer questions from Friesian owners about topics they care about, including genetic health issues, research, breed politics, and more!

In this episode, we discuss gastroparesis in Friesian horses—a condition that is challenging to recognize and can cause potentially life-threatening gastric impaction or fatal gastric rupture. We explore why Friesians may be uniquely predisposed, the early signs owners shouldn’t ignore, how gastroparesis is diagnosed, and diet and management strategies.

On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sabrina Brounts from the University of Wisconsin to talk about Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis, or DSLD—a challenging and often misunderstood condition affecting horses. Dr. Brounts shares her expertise on what we know about the disease, how it develops, and what current research is revealing about diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management.