Friesians are an excellent all-around horse, used for showing, driving, and general riding.

A consistent breeding policy has produced the Friesian horse we are familiar with today, exhibiting the unique characteristics of the breed and continuing to bear close resemblance to its ancestors.

From the latter part of the 20th century until the present, demand for purebred Friesians, particularly the modern sport horse style, has increased steadily. Breeders have bred both purebreds and a lighter-weight crossbred horse with valued characteristics, resulting in the Frieisan crosses and Friesian Sporthorse.

Friesian horses are popular in both Europe and North America, and are often used today for Dressage competition, pleasure riding, and driving. Friesian horses are ideal for dressage due to the breed's movement, trainability, appearance, power, and body control. Friesians are also popular as carriage horses, as they are powerful horses and their high-stepping action is particularly eye-catching.

Due to their majestic appearance, Friesian horses have become increasingly popular in the film industry. The breed owes much of its current popularity to the appearance of the Friesian stallion Goliath in the 1985 film Ladyhawke, which ignited a worldwide interest in these horses. Films such as Eragon, The Mask of Zorro, Alexander, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, 300, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and many others, have featured Friesian horses.