Things of Beauty Trivia Quiz

Answer: Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred originated in 18th century Great Britain, with all horses of the breed tracing at least some lineage to just three stallions: the Byerley Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Arabian. These were bred to British mares of various breeds and the offspring crossbred and interbred for many generations. To be recognized and registered as a Thoroughbred today, a horse must be naturally conceived and all its ancestors to the ninth generation must be registered in an official stud book.

Answer: Arabian

The Arabian or Arab horse is among the most recognizable breeds and most modern riding breeds have at least some Arabian lineage. The lowest commonly encountered height of an Arabian, 14.1 hands, is actually a full inch below the cutoff line between horse and pony, but all Arabians are considered true horses. Arabian bloodlines are susceptible to several severe recessive genetic disorders including lavender foal syndrome, an inevitably lethal condition.

Answer: Trakehner

The town of Trakehnen from where this breed originated is actually in East Prussia, belonging to Russia today, however since the horse's aptitude for the Olympic equestrian disciplines was recognized in the 1920s, it was bred throughout Germany. Trakehner horses are also sought after by breeders looking to increase their gene pools by outcrossing since they have a very low risk of introducing genetic disorders into a line.

Answer: Lipizzan

While many would associate Lipizzan horses with the color white, they are actually gray. The difference is not the hair color - which is white in both cases - but gray horses have black skin. Lipizzans are usually born with a dark coat color and become lighter as time goes. General Patton's famous 1945 rescue of the breed has become a legend of its own.

Answer: Shire Horse

Shire horses are among the strongest, largest and heaviest breeds. Mammoth, a Shire stallion was measured in 1848 as 21 and a half hands high (219 cm) and weighed at over one and a half metric tons. While most of these gentle horses with beautiful feathers are used for show and riding today, a small number are still used in their original capacity of draught horse, especially where high strength is required on uneven terrain, such as in forestry.

Answer: Lusitano

This Lusitano is a closely related sister breed to the Andalusian horse, bred in Portugal. It makes for excellent riding horses noted for their composure and grace, making them suitable for such different purposes as dressage, war and bullfighting. Unlike in the Spanish tradition, bullfights in which Lusitano horses are used are nonlethal and having his horse injured ranks among the greatest disgraces for a Portuguese fighter.

The Alter Real line, all bay-colored, was the royal line. In the 1910 revolution, the Republicans attempted to destroy the line by gelding the stallions, but two stallions and a number of mares were rescued in time and their descendants returned to the Portuguese state in 1942.

Answer: Peruvian Paso

The special ambling gait of the Peruvian Paso is inborn and foals can perform it within hours of being born. Unlike a trot, this gait is very steady and thus ideal for riders with back problems or unable to post. The stability of the horse's footfall gives it additional security in uneven terrain while covering daily distances similar to a normal trotting horse. Like many horses noted for their endurance, the Peruvian Paso is not particularly large, rarely standing above 15 hands.

Answer: Akhal-Teke

Akhal-Teke horses originate from Turkmenistan and have been bred for endurance. Sizes vary considerably, with a span from 14.2 to 16 hands accepted in the breed standard. Apart from the golden appearance of buckskin or palomino colored individuals, the metallic coat texture can also result in silver, deep bronze and pearl-colored appearances. Unlike for most other races, the stud book for Akhal-Tekes not only registers horses as members of the breed but also differentiates them by quality grade - Elite, Class I or Class II.

Answer: Andalusian

Andalusian horses and related bloodlines have been prized by cavalry and mounted fighters of many different centuries until the early 19th century when the heavy losses from the Napoleonic wars brought the breed into danger of extinction. Today, Andalusians or, in Spanish "pura raza espaņola" (meaning "Spanish pure breed) can be found in all equestrian sports.

The breed is also the favored choice of many movie directors who need horses in historic and fantasy productions.

Answer: Tennessee Walking Horse

With its running walk, the Tennessee Walker is well suited for trail riding and endurance riding. Top horses of the breed can reach 32 kilometers per hour (20 mph) with the running walk. If the rider wishes to go faster, the only option is the canter as very few Tennessee Walkers can trot at all and even those who can will not reach a high speed.

Many Tennessee walkers are also proud show horses.