From the Horse's Mouth Online Quiz | Thematic Animals

From the Horse's Mouth Trivia Quiz

Ten multiple choice questions themed around horses. But horse enthusiasts beware - not all the "horses" in this quiz are truly equine.

A multiple-choice quiz by jamesf. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the name of the famous American horse that was "Horse of the Year" in 1938 - and the subject of an Academy Award nominated movie in 2003?

Answer: Seabiscuit

The film, "Seabiscuit" was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards of 2003. It is based on the true story of a racehorse in the 1930s that captured the public's imagination by its exciting race wins. War Admiral was another famous horse of that time, and lost to Seabiscuit in a match race in 1938. Native Dancer and Red Rum came much later.

2. This horse was a 100-1 outsider who won the British Grand National in 1967. In that year, a problem at one of the fences caused most of the horses to fall or stumble - but this horse was so far behind the main field that it was unaffected - and went on to win the race. What was the horse's name?

Answer: Foinavon

The fence (at Aintree racecourse) that caused all the problems is now named Foinavon, in honour of that year's unexpected winner. Honey End (the favorite) and Red Alligator were in the same race. Arkle won the Irish Grand National (in 1964) and three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups (1964-1966).

3. The "seahorse" is not really a horse at all. What kind of creature is it?

Answer: fish

As well as looking a bit like horses, these fish are also unusual in the way that they look after their young. The female inserts her eggs into the male's body, where they develop. So, you could say that it is the male who becomes pregnant - or at least, is left holding the baby.

4. According to legend, Lady Godiva rode naked on a horse through the streets of Coventry, to persuade her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to reduce his taxes. What was her husband's name?

Answer: Leofric

Leofric (968-1057 AD) and his wife Godiva are historical figures, but the Lady Godiva story is at best apocryphal: I wonder if it would work in my local tax office? Leofric is a rare example from history of a man who is mainly famous for the woman that he married.

5. Anna Sewell wrote a famous novel in which the main character was a horse. What was the horse's name?

Answer: Black Beauty

Anna Sewell's novel was first published in 1877, and remains a popular children's classic. Red Rum was a racehorse - he was the only horse to win the British Grand National three times. Silver Blaze is a fictional racehorse in a Sherlock Holmes story. Blue Velvet is a movie - I don't think it involves horses.

6. In Greek mythology, what was the name of the winged horse captured by, and ridden by, Bellerophon?

Answer: Pegasus

Some versions of the myth say that it was Perseus who rode Pegasus, but it is Bellerophon in the original version. The Chimera was the many-headed fire-breathing monster that Bellerophon killed while mounted on Pegasus, his flying horse. Poseidon was Pegasus's father.

7. At the battle of Waterloo, the famous horse that the Duke of Wellington rode was called Copenhagen. But what was the name of Napoleon's horse?

Answer: Marengo

Marengo was also Napoleon's horse at the battle of Marengo, and he was given his name as a commemoration of that victory. But the emperor was less lucky at Waterloo.
Bucephalus was Alexander the Great's horse, Magnolia belonged to General Washington - and Trigger was ridden by Roy Rogers.

8. In which Shakespeare play does the main character say "A Horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"?

Answer: Richard III

This is from Act V Scene iv of Shakespeare's play. The scene is based on the real events that occurred at the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485). After losing his horse, Richard is pursued by his enemies and then killed - the last English king to die on the battlefield. He was succeeded by Henry VII.

9. Which English county features a white horse on its coat of arms?

Answer: Kent

Some people say that the white horse refers to Horsa, the brother of Hengest, who was ruler of Kent around 500 A.D. The coat of arms of Sussex has six martlets (birds) on it. Lancashire and Yorkshire feature roses - red and white, respectively.

10. The hippocampus is the scientific name for the seahorse. It is also the name given to a structure within the human body. Which part of the human body contains the hippocampus?

Answer: brain

The hippocampus (the name means "curved horse" in Greek) is supposedly shaped a bit like a seahorse. There is one on each side of the brain. The hippocampi are involved in memory processes. In people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, there is often damage to this area.

Source: Author jamesf

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LeoDaVinci before going online.
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From the Horse's Mouth Trivia Quiz

Ten multiple choice questions themed around horses. But horse enthusiasts beware - not all the "horses" in this quiz are truly equine.

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