The Ultimate Horse Breed Identification Quiz

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Horse Breed Identification Quiz
Image: Gigja Einarsdottir/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Horses are undoubtedly some of the most majestic beasts on this planet. They were domesticated by us humans thousands of years ago and have evolved over the millions of years that they are said to have been in existence for. While these lovely animals have their uses, they're also just as amazing when we just observe them in their natural habitat. They are fast, wild, sometimes playful, and can sleep standing up or lying down. But that's not why we're here, as interesting as these facts are. 

We're here to see how much you know, not about their habits, but about the breeds of horse that exist. Each breed has a distinctive group of characteristics that those animals then pass on to their offspring, thus continuing the line and helping us to recognize them as a group. But do you know enough about these animals to see the difference between an Andalusian horse and a Belgian warmblood?

This quiz will put that knowledge and more to the test. So, if you think you can take this quiz by the reigns, rather than falling off the saddle, let's get started!

Arabian
volschenkh/E+/Getty Images
One of the most recognizable horses in existence, which breed is this?
Akita
Xoloitzcuintli
Arabian
Vizsla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Arabian or Arab horse is one of the most recognizable horse breeds known for its distinctive head shape and high tail carriage. One of the oldest breeds, it was selectively bred for its versatility, intelligence, willingness to please, alertness, and sensitivity.

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Paint horse
Ryan Courson Photography/Moment/Getty Images
This particular breed comes in many different colors. What is its name?
Weimaraner
Paint horse
Puli
Newfoundland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paint Horses are a breed of horse developed from a base of spotted horses with Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse bloodlines which led to its distinct coat spotting patterns of white and dark hair. The spots are usually white laid against a background of black, brown, bay, chestnut or sorrel.

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Mustang
Bryant Aardema -bryants wildlife images/Moment/Getty Images
Of the options, which one best matches the horse seen in the picture?
Mustang
Havanese
Lhasa Apso
Akita
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mustang, also referred to as wild horses, is a breed of American free-roaming horses that descended from once-domesticated horses. The original Mustangs were Colonial Spanish horses which then bred with other types and breeds of horses, resulting in the modern Mustang.

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Morgan
Pixabay
One of the earliest American breeds, which of the options do you think this is?
Sloughi
Xoloitzcuintli
Basenji
Morgan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Morgans, one of the earliest United States' horse breeds, is a muscular but refined-built horse named after U.S. composer and horse breeder, Justin Morgan. It is identified by its compact build, strong legs, short back, broad forehead, large prominent eyes, and an upright, well-arched neck.

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Clydesdale
Todd Ryburn Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Can you tell us which of the following breeds this horse belongs to?
Affenpinscher
Clydesdale
Samoyed
Finnish Spitz
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Clydesdale is a Scottish breed of a draft horse named after the farm horses of Clydesdale, Scotland. It is a tall breed, typically bay in color (brown body and black mane, tail, lower legs, edges and ears) that was originally used for haulage and agriculture.

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Shetland pony
Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Moment/getty Images
Named after some Isles of Scotland, which horse do you see here?
Shetland pony
Australian kelpie
Borzoi
Lowchen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Shetland Pony is a breed of pony named after the Shetland Isles, Scotland where it originated. They are characterized by their intelligence, dense, double winter coat, long thick manes and tails, sturdy build, and their ability to pull twice their own weight.

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Friesian
Ryan Courson Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
What's this horse's breed?
Basenji
Sloughi
Friesian
Komondor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Friesian or Frisian is a nimble and graceful horse breed originating in Friesland, the Netherlands. They are known for their black coat, thick manes and tail, feather on lower legs, powerful muscles and agile yet elegant movements.

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Appaloosa
Monika Clarke Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
This kind of horse stands out because of its spots, but what is it called?
Basenji
Borzoi
Papillon
Appaloosa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Appaloosa is an American breed of horse that is easily recognized by its colorful spotted coat pattern. In addition to its coat, this breed is distinguished by its mottled skin, striped hooves, and white sclera visible around the iris when the eye is in a normal position.

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Quarter horse
RichLegg/E+/Getty Images
What kind of horse is this?
Lowchen
Australian kelpie
Quarter horse
Maltese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Quarter Horse, also known as the American Quarter Horse, is a well-muscled American horse breed known for its excellent ability to sprint over short distances. This breed is used in horse racing, rodeos, horse shows, and for ranch work.

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Welsh pony
Stephen Liptrot/Moment Open/Getty Images
Having originated in the UK, which you can tell by its name, which horse is this?
Chow Chow
Dachshund
Welsh pony
Vizsla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Welsh Pony is one of a group of four closely-related horse breeds that originated in the United Kingdom. This breed is believed to have existed in Wales before 1600 B.C. and is noted for its intelligence, strong, compact build, stamina, and bold and fast movements.

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Miniature horse
Barbara Rich/Moment Open/Getty Images
Known as the mini, for short (no pun intended), what is the full name of this horse?
Finnish Spitz
Miniature horse
Harrier
Dachshund
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Miniature Horse, also known as the mini horse or mini pony, is a widespread breed of horse commonly found in Europe and the Americas. This breed comes in a variety of colors and coat patterns and is known for its friendly demeanor and small, yet sturdy stature.

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Gypsy Vanner
©Karen Wegehenkel/Moment Open/Getty Images
Also called the Tinker horse, what is the more common name for this beauty?
Harrier
Vizsla
Komondor
Gypsy Vanner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gypsy Vanner, also called the Gypsy Cob, Gypsy Horse, Tinker Horse or Irish Cob, is a type of Irish domestic horse known for its small, solid build. It is usually, but not always piebald, i.e., having a pattern of pigmented spots on a white background.

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Shire horse
©Daniela White Images/Moment/Getty Images
This tall draught horse hails from the UK. But what is its name?
Shire horse
Xoloitzcuintli
Affenpinscher
Australian kelpie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Shire Horse is a tall breed of draught horse originating in the United Kingdom. It is identified by its black, gray or bay coat and feathered legs. Due to its large size, it has an excellent capacity for weight pulling and is also used for riding and forestry.

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Hackney Horse
Pixabay
Take a chance and guess what kind of horse this is.
Maltese
Newfoundland
Samoyed
Hackney horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hackney Horses are a recognized horse breed originating in Great Britain. It is an elegant high-stepping breed of carriage horse known for its flashy appearance, stamina, and its ability to trot at high speeds over an extended period of time.

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Mongolian horse
Hans Neleman/Photodisc/Getty Images
This stocky horse is best for domestic uses. What is it called?
Akita
Mongolian horse
Lowchen
Lhasa Apso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mongolian or Mongol Horse is a horse breed indigenous to Mongolia, from which the breed takes its name. It has a small but stocky build with strong legs and a large head. This allows it to perform domestic work suck as riding and transportation.

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Dutch warmblood
Sasha Bell/Moment Open/Getty Images
Developed in the Netherlands, what is this medium-sized horse called?
Basenji
Komondor
Australian kelpie
Dutch warmblood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dutch Warmblood is a warmblood type of horse developed in the Netherlands. It is a medium-sized horse with a rectangular frame and comes in many colors including black, gray, brown, chestnut or bay and commonly white markings.

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Andalusian
Monica Rodriguez/Photodisc/Getty Images
Identify the breed this horse belongs to.
Maltese
Papillon
Newfoundland
Andalusian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Andalusian, also called the Pure Spanish Horse, is a breed of horse originating in the Iberian Peninsula. This distinct breed is known for its intelligence, docility, prowess, stamina, compact yet elegant build and long, thick manes and tails.

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Thoroughbred
Zocha_K/E+/Getty Images
Known for its speed and spirit, what kind of horse is this?
Affenpinscher
Thoroughbred
Sloughi
Samoyed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Thoroughbreds, developed during the 17th and 18th century England, are "hot-blooded" horses known for its speed, agility, and spirit. This horse is a crossbreed of native English mares and imported Oriental stallions of Barb, Turkoman and Arabian breeding.

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Highland pony
Pixabay
Both a moorland and mountain pony, what's the name of this breed?
Lowchen
Highland pony
Finnish Spitz
Dachshund
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Highland Pony is one of the three indigenous breeds of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Its one of the largest moorland and mountain pony breeds found in the British Isles. This breed comes in many colors including yellow, gray, cream, black, bay or seal brown.

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Haflinger
Weimann/Photodisc/Getty Images
Which of these groups do you think this horse belongs to?
Xoloitzcuintli
Maltese
Lhasa Apso
Haflinger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Haflingers, also called Avelignese, are a horse breed originating in Austria and northern Italy sometime during the late 19th century. It is a small horse with a sturdy build and is identified by its chestnut coat with a flaxen (lighter) mane and tail.

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Standardbred
Pixabay
Match this horse to its breed.
Weimaraner
Affenpinscher
Puli
Standardbred
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Developed in North America, the Standardbred is a solid, well-built horse commonly used for a variety of equestrian activities such as harness racing, horse shows, and pleasure riding. They are slightly heavier than a Thoroughbred and are able to trot or pace at speed for racing.

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American Saddlebred
www.abounaderphoto.com/Moment/Getty Images
Can you tell us where this horse fits in?
Weimaraner
American Saddlebred
Borzoi
Puli
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

American Saddlebreds are a large breed of horse developed in the United States. They come in a variety of colors with brown, black, bay and chestnut bring the most common. They are characterized by their long, slim arched necks, sloping shoulders, and strong level backs.

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Percheron
Ryan Courson Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
Developed in the Perche region of France, what could this horse's breed possibly be?
Percheron
Australian Kelpie
Basenji
Harrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Percherons are a breed of draft horse developed in Huisne river valley in the province of Perche, France. Initially bred for use as war horses, they are known for their intelligence and are identified by their gray or black coat and well-muscled build.

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Tennessee walking horse
Ryan Courson Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
Also called the Pure Spanish horse, what's the more common name of this animal?
Havanese
Weimaraner
Tennessee walking horse
Harrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tennessee Walking Horse or Tennessee Walker, is a gaited horse breed that was originally developed in the southern U.S. for plantation and farm use. It is a popular riding horse known for its flashy movements and unique four-beat running-walk.

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Orlov trotter
Photographs by Maria itina/Moment/Getty Images
This is the most popular Russian breed in existence. What is its name?
Sloughi
Akita
Orlov trotter
Borzoi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Orlov Trotter is the most famous Russian horse breed, known for its hereditary fast trot and excellent stamina and speed. It is easily recognized by its predominantly gray coat and a tall and robust build in comparison to that of the Standardbred.

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Icelandic pony
Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Moment/Getty Images
Which group best suits this horse?
Akita
Icelandic pony
Lowchen
Harrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Icelandic Pony or Icelandic Horse, is the only breed of horses in Iceland and is known for its compact build, heavy coat and two unique gaits. Its coat comes in a range of colors including black, gray, chestnut, dun, bay, roan, palomino and pinto.

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Caspian Horse
Wiki Commons by Kerri-Jo Stewart
Also called the Khazar horse, what other name does this horse go by?
Caspian Horse
Maltese
Papillon
Komondor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Caspian Horse, also known as the Khazar Horse, is a small, ancient breed of horse originating in Northern Iran. It is known for its intelligence, kindness, and willingness and comes in a range of shades including gray, black, bay, chestnut and dun.

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Exmoor pony
KeithSzafranski/E+/Getty Images
An endangered breed, what is this British animal's type called?
Puli
Vizsla
Sloughi
Exmoor pony
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Exmoor Pony is an endangered breed of horse indigenous to the British Isles. This breed is noted for its height, compact and sturdy build, hardiness, endurance and dark brown coat with pangaré markings around the eyes, muzzle, underbelly and flanks.

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Irish Draught horse
Wiki Commons by Wasechun tashunka
The national breed of its country, what do you think this horse's breed is?
Irish Draught
Samoyed
Vizsla
Newfoundland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Irish Draught is the national horse breed of Ireland dating back as far as the 18th century. They are a well-built and muscular breed and a popular choice for crossbreeding with Warmblood and Thoroughbreds, creating Irish Sports Horses.

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Connemara pony
Copyright Claudine Watanabe/Moment/Getty Images
This Irish breed is extremely athletic. But what is it called?
Connemara pony
Affenpinscher
Australian kelpie
Weimaraner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Connemara Pony is an Irish breed of pony known for its athleticism, versatility, intelligence, and good temperament. It is a large pony of the sports horse type and is bred worldwide including Europe, Australasia, South Africa and North America.

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Hanoverian
Wiki Commons by Nikki
Can you correctly guess what kind of horse this is?
Hanoverian
Weimaraner
Samoyed
Havanese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hanoverian is a native German warmblood horse breed, commonly used in the Olympic Games and competitive English riding styles. It was originally a carriage horse that was later crossbred with a Thoroughbred to make it more agile, graceful, and athletic for competitions.

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Carolina marsh tacky
Creative Motion Media Design, LLC
Where does this stallion fit in best?
Puli
Borzoi
Sloughi
Carolina Marsh Tacky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Carolina Marsh Tacky, or simply Marsh Tacky, is a rare horse breed originating in South Carolina. This small horse is considered by the Equus Survival Trust and the Livestock Conservancy to be critically endangered with only 275 existing today.

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Lipizzaner
anakondaN/Moment/Getty Images
Can you tell us the name of this horse's breed?
Weimaraner
Lipizzaner
Australian Kelpie
Basenji
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lipizzaner or Lippizzan is a breed of horse that dates back to the 16th century when it was developed by the House of Habsburg. It is identified by its stocky, muscular build and long head with large and small ears. Its coat is typically gray and rarely, solid bay or black.

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Akhal-teke
anakondaN/Moment/Getty Images
Which of these breeds does this horse belong to?
Borzoi
Maltese
Samoyed
Akhale-teke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Akhal-Teke is a horse breed and the national emblem of Turkmenistan known for its speed, endurance, and intelligence. One of the oldest existing horse breeds, it is nicknamed the "Golden Horse" due to its metallic, shiny coat of palomino and buckskin.

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Breton
Pixabay
A mix between Oriental and European breeds, what is the name of this product?
Havanese
Breton
Sloughi
Papillon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bretons are a breed of draft horse created through the crossbreeding of many different Oriental and European breeds. Originating in Brittany, France, the Breton is typically chestnut in color with a strong and muscular build that makes it suitable for a variety of work.

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Kathiawari horse
anakondaN/Moment/Getty Images
It has a name as equally as unique as the place in India that it's from. What is it?
Borzoi
Akita
Kathiawari horse
Affenpinscher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Kathiawari or Kathiawadi Horse is a breed of horse named after the Kathiawari peninsula in western India, where it originated. A close relative of Marwari, this breed bears the same distinct inwardly curved ears with a chestnut, bay, gray, or dun coat.

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Marwari
anakondaN/Moment/Getty Images
This breed is very rare and may have descended from Arabian horses. What is it?
Dachshund
Marwari
Basenji
Lhasa Apso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Marwari, also known as Malani, is a rare breed of horse native to the Marwar region of India and is known for its inward curved and touching ears. It is a medium-sized breed which descended from the local Indian ponies crossed with Arabian and possibly Mongolian horses.

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Gelderlander
Wiki Commons
Known to have white markings, what is the name of this horse that hails from the Netherlands?
Finnish Spitz
Havanese
Gelderland
Komondor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gelderland, also known as Gelderlander, is a heavy warmblood horse breed native to the Netherlands province, Gelderland. This breed is usually chestnut in color but may be black, gray or bay with white markings on the face and legs in the sabino or tobiano pattern.

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Jutland Horse
Wiki Commons by Malene Thyssen
A draft horse developed in Denmark, which of the options is this horse's breed?
Newfoundland
Jutland
Xoloitzcuintli
Vizsla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jutland is a breed of draft horses developed in Denmark and named after the Jutland Peninsula of the western part of the country. They are typically chestnut in color and are known for their calm and willing temperament and robust, muscular build.

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Holstein
Somogyvari/E+/Getty Images
A German breed, what kind of horse is this?
Newfoundland
Papillon
Xoloitzcuintli
Holstein
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Holstein or Holsteiner, is a medium-sized breed of horse developed in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany. One of the oldest breeds of warmbloods, it is commonly used today in international show jumping, combined driving, dressage and show hunters.

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You Got:
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