Horse Breeds from Around the World (2) Trivia Game | Animals

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. We begin with a rare breed of draft horse which dates back only to the early 20th century. This breed comes in only two colors, either gold-champagne or chestnut. The breed was threatened by the advent of farming mechanisation in the middle of the century but population numbers have been growing steadily since the 1980s. Which breed is this?

Answer: American Cream

The American Cream is a breed of draft horse developed in Iowa in the early 20th century, and is the only surviving breed of American draft horse. The breed has a chestnut base and the champagne gene produces the characteristic cream color to accompany amber or hazel eyes.

Other characteristics of the breed include a flat face, wide chest and short, strong back. Their calm temperament makes them ideal for owners inexperienced with draft horses.

2. Although this breed dates back to the 14th century, there are now less than 600 known individuals and the breed is endangered. Typically chestnut, bay, roan or occasionally black, they are native to the forested region of Kirov Oblast in western-central Russia. Which breed is this?

Answer: Vyatka

The Vyatka is named for the river that runs through the city of Kirov, the administrative centre of the Kirov Oblast region. Known particularly for its endurance and speed, in the 19th century the Vyatka was considered the best horse for pulling troikas.

By the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Vyatka was virtually extinct. By 1980 the breed had recovered to almost 2000 individual animals.

3. The breed pictured here is named after the river than runs through the region of central Portugal where it is indigenous. Lean and leggy, this breed is particularly noted for its convex profile and its distinctive dun colouring. Which breed is this?

Answer: Sorraia

Sorraia have lived wild in central and southern Portugal for hundreds of years, although a few individuals were domesticated, mostly for use of farms. Indeed, conquistadors took members of the breed with them to the New World in the 16th century and the result is DNA that very closely relates to that of the wild Mustangs found there today.

Sorraia became lost as a specific breed for many years and was only rediscovered in the 1920s. Most of the individuals surviving today can be traced back to a small breeding herd of just five stallions and seven mares in the late 1930s.

4. Known for their ambling gait and distinct inward-turning ear tips, this hardy breed that can be found in just about every equine colour is native to the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. They were originally bred as cavalry horses in the 12th century. Which breed is this?

Answer: Marwari

The Marwari is indigenous specifically to the Thar Desert in the Marwar or Jodhpur region of Rajasthan. Bred as cavalry horses, Malwari are particularly known for their hardiness, loyalty and bravery in battle. Used on farms earlier in the 20th century, today they are most used as pack horses and for casual riding. They are also well-suited to dressage.

The exportation of Marwaris (and many other native breeds) has been banned since India gained independence, but this restriction was lifted at the end of the 20th century.

5. Usually less than eight hands (32 inches) tall at the withers, these are not ponies but the world's smallest horse breed. Developed in Argentina, its bloodlines come from Spain, Portugal and other European stock. Intelligent and easily trained, they are ideal for teaching small children to ride and they are also used for pulling small carts. Which breed is this?

Answer: Falabella

Falabella are usually bay or black, although various spotted patterns are also fairly common. With identical proportions to other horse breeds, these are definitely not ponies, but miniature horses.

Essentially used for showing and companionship, Falabellas are often used as guide animals.

6. This breed was developed in the 16th century in Austrian Empire, although their ancestors can be traced back more than 900 years before that. More recently, the breed has been closely associated with the famous Spanish Riding School. This breed is ideally suited to the disciplines of dressage. Which breed is this?

Answer: Lipizzan

Lipizzan (or Lipizzaner) are named for the small (modern-day Slovenian) village of Lipica ("Lipizza" in Italian), the location of one of the earliest stud farms. In addition to their performance in major dressage events, Lipizzan have also appeared in numerous films, many of them made by the 'Disney' studio.

Usually grey (although bay and black are not unknown), Lipizzans have long necks, small ears, large eyes and characteristic flared nostrils. They are one of the most long-lived horse breeds, with many individuals performing in dressage events well into their twenties, and many living into their thirties.

7. Developed in the late 19th century in Austria and northern Italy, this small breed of chestnut horses is known for its unusual gait. Known for their hardiness, they are at home in challenging, mountainous terrain and the Austrian Army still uses them as pack animals today. Which breed is this?

Answer: Haflinger

The Haflinger (or Avelignese) is named for the small commune of Hafling in South Tyrol in northern Italy. Between 13 and 15 hands tall, Halfingers have rhythmic, ground-covering gaits, with an energetic walk and an elastic and athletic trot and canter.

Today, Halfingers are popular as dressage horses for children. They also produce most of Germany's horse milk.

8. One of the first developed in the U.S., the pictured breed has been used for pulling coaches, for harness racing, and as cavalry horses on both sides during the American Civil War. Usually bay, black or chestnut, this is the state horse of Massachusetts and the state animal of Vermont. Which breed is this?

Answer: Morgan

The breed was named after Massachusetts-born composer and horse breeder Justin Morgan, the owner of "Figure", from whom all subsequent Morgan horses have reputedly been bred. A versatile breed, Morgans have successfully competed in dressage, show-jumping and endurance events. The breed even has its own show, first held in Detroit in 1971 and annually in Oklahoma City since 1975.

Marguerite Henry's 1945 children's book "Justin Morgan Had a Horse" popularised the breed, as did the 1972 Disney film adaptation.

9. These heavy chestnut-coloured draft horses bred in England date back to the 16th century. Originally used exclusively for farm work, as mechanization took over farms so they were used for pulling coaches and artillery. Today their main jobs are in forestry work. Which breed is this?

Answer: Suffolk Punch

The Suffolk Punch (also called Suffolk Sorrel) takes its name partly from the English east-coast county and partly from the breed's inherent strength. One of the oldest of all English breeds, they are the oldest still surviving in their original form.

Used to long days in the East Anglian fields, Suffolk Punches were ideal for pulling heavy artillery in times of war. The breed appears on the team crest of Ipswich Town Football Club.

10. This breed began life in the 1730s in Germany at the instruction of King George II of England. One of the oldest European 'warmblood' breeds, they were originally used as carriage horses. Today, they are much in demand by Olympic equestrians, having won gold medals at all three Olympic disciplines. Which breed is this?

Answer: Hanoverian

George II not only inherited the English throne on the death of his father in 1727, but also became Elector of Hanover in his native Germany. It was there that he founded a stud and purchased stallions for breeding horses suitable for both cavalry use and agricultural work. Elegant, strong and robust, standing between 15 and 17 hands tall, they are specifically bred to be willing and trainable.

Hanoverians are the most successful breed of all in Olympic dressage events, claiming numerous medals in the individual events. In 2008, Hanoverians were members of the winning dressage team for the seventh time in the post-War era. At the 2000 Olympics, Hanoverians were members of the winning show-jumping team for the sixth time since 1960.

Source: Author EnglishJedi

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Horse Breeds from Around the World (2) Quiz

Although 'horse' is a single species, there are more than 300 breeds of domesticated horse. Here are ten more of those breeds, with some lovely photos to help you to identify them.

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