This Horse Breed Identification Quiz Is Really Hard, So We'll Be Impressed If You Even Get 4 Right

By: Ashley Ehman
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
This Horse Breed Identification Quiz Is Really Hard, So We'll Be Impressed If You Even Get 4 Right
Image: Lisa Van Dyke / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

With there being more than 350 definable horse breeds around the globe, even knowing a handful of them by name is impressive. Horses come in a variety of colors, sizes and patterns, making identifying them correctly extremely difficult. 

Each individual horse is unique in appearance, so how is someone supposed to know what breed group they belong to? However hard it is, there are people who are able to recognize a horse breed, seemingly with ease. If you are one of those people, then this quiz is for you! Do you know the difference between a Paint and a Pinto without even thinking about it? When you see a draft horse, are you able to tell if it's a Clydesdale, Andalusian, Friesian or something else entirely? Whether you took riding lessons in your childhood or own a fully functioning stable as an adult, if you consider yourself to be a bit of an expert on horses and what makes each breed unique, take this quiz.  

These questions will determine how much you really know, and whether or not you deserve the title of "Horse Breed Master." So giddy up, buckle down and rein things in, it's time to prove yourself and your horse breed knowledge!

American Quarter Horse
RichLegg / E+ / Getty Images
What is the most popular breed in the world?
Arabian
American Thoroughbred
American Quarter Horse
Clydesdale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The American Quarter horse is the most popular breed of horse in the world. They are an extremely adaptable breed and can be used for a variety of tasks, such as a horse for a beginner rider or driving cattle.

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Arabian 1
fahadee.com / Moment / Getty Images
Which breed has a different skeletal system than other breeds?
Arabian
Morgan
Belgian Warmblood
Hanoverian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Arabian horses have a different skeletal system that other breeds. This is because they have fewer bones compared to other horses! The bones Arabians lack are a tail bone, rib and a vertebra.

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American Thoroughbred
winhorse / E+ / Getty Images
The famous Secretariat was what kind of horse?
Quarter Horse
Arabian
Tennessee Walking Horse
American Thoroughbred
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known for winning the Triple Crown in 1973, Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred. While Thoroughbreds are a popular racing breed, there are instances of Arabians, Standardbreds and American Quarter horses found in equine racing sports.

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Friesian 1
Ryan Courson Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
The Netherlands only has one native horse breed to claim. Which breed is it?
Percheron
Friesian
Swedish Warmblood
Waler Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Friesian breed is the only horse to come from the Netherlands. This notably black draft breed has been endangered over the years but is seeing a revival thanks to their popularity in dressage.

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Appaloosa
J. MacNeill-Traylor / Moment / Getty Images
Which type of horse did Meriwether Lewis see on his travels?
Clydesdale
Tennessee Walking Horse
Morgan
Appaloosa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark, was exposed to the Appaloosa on his travels across America. They were raised and used by Nez Perce Native Americans for hunting and long-distance travel.

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Przewalski's Horse
Ganbayar Urtnasan / Moment / Getty Images
This equine used to roam freely near the Mongolian-China border. Which breed was it?
Przewalski's Horse
Walkaloosa
Sorraia
Taishu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Przewalski's Horse was known to populate the area near the Mongolian-China border in the 19th century. They have since become extinct in the wild with breeding programs working to increase population numbers in captivity.

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Croatian Warmblood
Silverije via WikiCommons
Which horse species has the highest population in Croatia?
Tersk
Croatian Warmblood
Russian Don
Czech Warmblood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Croatian Warmblood is the most plentiful breed in Croatia, both among draft horse populations and overall. Outside of the country, they have extremely low numbers and are not well known.

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Bashkir Curly Horse
Just chaos via WikiCommons
One particular equine is known for its notably curly coat. Which one is it?
Bashkir Curly Horse
Andalusian
Banker Horse
Corsican Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Bashkir Curly horse's most identifying feature is the curly-haired appearance of its coat. Not much is known about their ancestral roots, but there has been evidence that they existed as early as 161 AD.

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Criollo Horse
Kc.sminsights via WikiCommons
What breed that prospered in South America is thought to have bloodlines shared with Andalusians?
Baise Horse
Costa Rican Saddle Horse
Criollo Horse
Paso Fino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Criollo breed is said to have ancestral roots that trace back to Spanish Andalusians. The Andalusian of the time was also bred with Friesians and Danish breeds, leading to the basis for the Criollo breed to form.

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Hackney
Charles Richardson via WikiCommons
Which high-stepping horse species is a popular choice for carriage driving?
Tennessee Walking Horse
Hackney
Paint
Morgan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hackney is a popular choice for carriage driving, while it also does well in dressage, English pleasure and trail riding. Its most distinguishing characteristic is its high-stepping gait.

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Russian Don Horse
Photographs by Maria itina / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which equine line originated in the Soviet Union and was named after a river?
Baluchi Horse
Czech Warmblood
Russian Don Horse
Dongola Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Russian Don was bred in the Soviet Union and named after a river that flowed nearby to their ancestral breeding grounds. They are said to have links to the Persian Arab and Thoroughbred breeds.

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Haflinger
ambaradan / E+ / Getty Images
This species of horse can trace every member back to a single stallion, named Folie. Which breed is it?
Haflinger
Rocky Mountain Horse
Lipizzaner
American Quarter Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Haflinger breed can be traced back to a single stallion, Folie, that was bred in the Tyrolean village, Hafling. Each descendant can trace their lineage among seven possible lines back to him.

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Jeju Horse
50BELL / Moment / Getty Images
What horse breed can thank Genghis Khan's grandson for its existence?
Jeju Horse
Falabella
Marwari Horse
Hanoverian Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jeju horse's ancestors came from a shipload of nearly 160 horses that were released on Jeju Island by Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson. They then bred with Mongolian horses and created the Jeju breed.

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Falabella
Josie Elias / Moment Mobile / Getty Images
Which type of horse is among one of the smallest in the world?
Falabella
Dongola Horse
Henson Horse
Pampa Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Falabella is among the smallest horse breeds in the world. This miniature horse is rarely taller than 32 inches in height. Though small in stature, they are incredibly intelligent.

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Fjord Horse
Copyright Michael Cummings / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which Scandinavian breed is always dun in color?
Palomino
Icelandic Horse
Fjord Horse
Oldenburg Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also called the Norwegian Fjord horse, this breed's coat only comes in a dun color. The coat can be one of five dun colors but does not exist in any other shades besides those listed by the breed standard.

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Jutland Horse
maridesignphotography / Moment / Getty Images
Which breed was historically used by the Carlsberg brewery to haul wagons?
Jutland Horse
Icelandic Horse
Clydesdale
Percheron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jutland horse, who hails from Denmark, was used by the Carlsberg brewery to power their beer wagons. During their peak, there were 210 Jutland horses that hauled wagons for the brewery.

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Kiger Mustang 1
Cabachaloca via WikiCommons
Based on naming nomenclature, which horse breed can only be captured, and not bred in-captivity?
Gidran
Norman Cob
Carolina Marsh Tacky
Kiger Mustang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Breed standards say that the Kiger Mustang cannot be bred into existence by captive horses. The only way to have one is to capture it as a feral horse. All other iterations are known as Kiger Horses.

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Gypsy Vanner
©Karen Wegehenkel / Moment Open / Getty Images
What feathered breed is seen in the picture?
Gypsy Vanner
Clydesdale
Friesian
Percheron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The horse breed pictured is the Gypsy Vanner. They are recognizable through their lengthy feathers that flow from their knees and hocks, as well as their majestically flowing tail and mane.

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Icelandic Horse
Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost / Moment / Getty Images
What horse species is known as "The Purest Breed of Horse in the World"?
Arabian
Hanoverian Horse
Haflinger
Icelandic Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Icelandic Horse is known as the "Purest Breed of Horse in the World." When their ancestors were brought to Iceland by the Vikings, they became geographically isolated. This resulted in one of the purest bloodlines in the world.

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Kiso Horse
M.Arai / Moment / Getty Images
This equine lineage lost its pure bloodlines when the government called for all the stallions to be castrated. Which breed was it?
Kiso Horse
Latvian Horse
Konik
Pleven Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During WWII, the Japanese government called for nearly all Kiso stallions to be castrated. This was because the breed was smaller than their enemy's military horses. They wanted to encourage crossbreeding to get larger horses that still had the qualities that made the original Kiso stock a good military horse.

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Lusitano Horse
Tim Platt / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Which kind of horse is popularly used for mounted bullfighting?
Konik
Lusitano Horse
Pentro Horse
Peruvian Paso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Originating in Portugal, the Lusitano horse is commonly used for mounted bullfighting. This is because they are known for being able to remain calm and move quickly, all while avoiding the bull's horns.

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Clydesdale
Leadgold via WikiCommons
What horse type has been used in Anheuser-Busch advertisements?
Appaloosa
Arabian
Percheron
Clydesdale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Budweiser Clydesdales have become a popular sight to see in Budweiser commercials and ad campaigns. They first appeared on April 7, 1933, as a way to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition.

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Lipizzaner
anakondaN / Moment / Getty Images
What rare breed is used for ballet-like performances at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria?
Oberlander Horse
Lipizzaner
Russian Trotter
Giara Horse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rare Lipizzaner is used at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. They are famous for their "Airs Above the Ground," where the horse is seen leaving the ground entirely and gliding through the air.

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Paso Fino
Soltera via WikiCommons
One breed is said to have three gaits: Classic Fino, Paso Corto and Paso Largo. Which type of horse do these gaits belong to?
Paso Fino
Criollo Horse
Lusitano
Peruvian Paso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Paso Fino has three defined gaits. Classic Fino is the slowest, followed by Paso Corto, with the fastest being Paso Largo. They are known for their adaptable gait and can go other speeds as well.

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Percheron
Gail Shotlander / Moment Open / Getty Images
A popular sight at Disney parks, what breed is most commonly used to entertain the masses?
Clydesdale
Pentro Horse
Percheron
American Saddlebred
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Percherons are a common sight to see when traveling to Disney Parks. The large draft horse is primarily used to pull the horse-drawn carriages around the park and entertaining guests.

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Pottok
Orereta via WikiCommons
Although a large amount of the population is considered semi-feral, which breed is easily domesticated?
Pottok
Virginia Highlander
Swiss Warmblood
Warlander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pottok breed can easily adapt to domestic life, despite its semi-feral nature. This makes it a good choice for children. In the past, they've been used as circus horses in Great Britain and France.

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Nokota
Seth Zeigler via WikiCommons
The creation of Theodore Roosevelt National Park helped preserve which breed?
Salerno horse
Rhinelander horse
Trait Du Nord
Nokota
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Nokota breed predominantly occupies the Badlands of North Dakota, where their feral populations roam. When ranchers started using the area for cattle and other livestock, Nokota numbers decreased. The breed was inadvertently preserved when Theodore Roosevelt National Park was formed, where some of the horses called home.

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Morgan horse
rosalind morgan / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which horse breed developed from a single stallion, named Figure?
Morgan horse
National Show Horse
Namib Desert Horse
Russian Don
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Figure was a Morgan stallion, own by Justin Morgan in the late 1700s. As his owner's surname suggests, the breed took the name of Justin Morgan and became known as the Morgan horse.

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Rocky Mountain Horse
Andersson LS, Juras R, Ramsey DT, Eason-Butler J, Ewart S, Cothran G, Lindgren G. via WikiCommons
Despite its name, the Rocky Mountain Horse is actually popular in what region?
The Andes Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains
The Swiss Alps
The Pyrenees
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though it has Rocky Mountain in its name, the Rocky Mountain Horse is actually popular in the Appalachian Mountain area. They are agile and sure-footed, making them reliable mounts in the treacherous terrain.

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Kiger Mustang 2
Cabachaloca via WikiCommons
What kind of horse was Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron?
Paint
Pinto
Kiger Mustang
Lusitano
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spirit was a Kiger Mustang who inspired the movie, "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron," as well as an animated Netflix series. The real-life Spirit serves as an ambassador for Kiger Mustangs and lives at the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary.

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Shire
Rachel Husband / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images
Sampson, the tallest and heaviest horse ever measured, was what breed?
Shire
Clydesdale
Percheron
Andalusian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sampson was a Shire draught horse that lived in England. He was over 86 inches tall and weighed 3,360 pounds. His large stature earned him the new name, Mammoth when he was four years old.

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National Show Horse
Just chaos via WikiCommons
The National Show Horse is a mix of which two breeds?
Thoroughbred and Arabian
Quarter Horse and American Saddlebred
Arabian and American Saddlebred
Quarter Horse and Arabian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The National Show Horse breed is a mix of the Arabian and American Saddlebred bloodlines. The breed does well in shows because it has the elegance of an Arabian and the mannerisms of the American Saddlebred.

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Senner
Tsungam via WikiCommons
Which breed is said to be the oldest documented German saddle-horse?
Tiger Horse
Unmol Horse
Salerno Horse
Senner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Senner is listed in historical documents that date all the way back to 1160. The breed is critically endangered, as there are only forty breeding adults listed in the official Senner registry.

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Barb horse
Alexander Kastler via WikiCommons
Which horse comes in Tunisian, Moroccan and Algerian iterations?
Barb horse
Coldblood Trotter
Belgian Horse
Danish Warmblood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Barb horse comes in the varieties listed. The breed is known for its speed and stamina and its ancestors even contributed to the various racing breeds. like the American Quarter Horse, we see today.

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Arabian 2
Tina Marie Photography / Moment / Getty Images
"King of the Wind" by Marguerite Henry is a story about what kind of horse?
Quarter Horse
Arabian
Thoroughbred
Mustang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Henry's novel, "King of the Wind" focuses on an Arabian horse. The story itself is loosely based on the Godolphin Arabian, who is believed to be one of the foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred bloodline.

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Chincoteague Pony
Denise Panyik-Dale / Moment / Getty Images
This particular herd is rounded up every year for auction and driven from the island they call home. What breed are the herd's members?
Bashkir Pony
Chincoteague Pony
Timor Pony
Senner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chincoteague Pony population is controlled through an annual auction that takes place on the mainland near Assateague Island. There are typically no more than 300 ponies on the island at any time.

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Walkaloosa
Monika Clarke Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
What makes a Walkaloosa different from an Appaloosa?
Walkaloosas were bred from a stallion named Walker.
Walkaloosas only walk.
Walkaloosas are the same as Appaloosas.
Walkaloosas have a different gait than Appaloosas.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Walkaloosas are known for the unique movement speed that they have, which lies somewhere between a walk and a trot. They still have the same coloring as Appaloosas, but are considered a gaited horse.

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Dark horses
georgeclerk / E+ / Getty Images
Which of the following is not considered a type of horse?
Light horses
Warmbloods
Gaited horses
Dark horses
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each horse breed can be put into one of five categories: Draft horses, Light horses, Gaited horses, Ponies and Warmbloods. "Dark horses" are not a defined type of horse. There is an outlier category for Non-horse Equines.

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Friesian 2
Kerrick / E+ / Getty Images
What kind of horse was used in Beyonce's "Run the World (Girls)" music video?
Arabian
Lipizzaner
Clydesdale
Friesian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The large horse in Beyonce's music video, "Run the World (Girls)," is a Friesian. The iconic scene shows Beyonce on the back of a beautiful, black horse as it rears over a setting sun.

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Draft horse
Dennis Stacey / Moment / Getty Images
The title of the longest living horse belonged to which type of horse?
Draft horse
Gaited horse
Light horse
Warmblood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Old Billy lived in England where he lived to be 62 years old. It was believed he was a mixture of a Cob and Shire, making him a Draft horse. Old Billy was born in 1760 and passed away in 1822.

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You Got:
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