Horse Trivia

100+ Horse Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: April 11th, 2025

Saddle up for Horse Trivia! Test your knowledge of these majestic animals, from different breeds and their unique traits to fascinating facts about horse behavior, history, and equestrian sports. Learn about the bond between humans and horses, their roles in culture, and even some surprising quirks. Whether you're an equestrian expert or just love horses, this trivia is a galloping good time!

Horse Basics and History

Question: What family do horses belong to?

Answer: Equidae

Question: What’s the official “I’m fancy” name for your average domestic horse?

Answer: Equus ferus caballus

Question: Way back when, horses used to have toes. How many millions of years ago was that glow-up?

Answer: 45 to 55 million years ago

Question: When did humans go from “ooh, wild horse” to “ride or die, literally”?

Answer: 4000 BCE

Question: Which moment in history saw horses go from wild and free to “hello, saddle life”?

Answer: Domestication of wild horses by 3000 BCE

Question: What’s one thing newborn horses do better than most humans after 3 cups of coffee?

Answer: They can stand and run shortly after birth

Question: How long is a horse's version of “9 months of waiting and weird cravings”?

Answer: Approximately 11 months

Question: Which legendary horse deserves a senior citizen discount and a gold medal for longevity?

Answer: Old Billy

Question: Which horse was so tall he probably hit his head on clouds?

Answer: Mammoth, standing 21.25 hands

Question: Which teeny-tiny horse could’ve ridden shotgun in a toy truck?

Answer: Thumbelina

Question: At what magical height does a pony say, “I’m not short, I’m compact”?

Answer: 14.2 hands

Question: Which breed is the Usain Bolt of the horse world—built for speed and sass?

Answer: Arabian horse

Question: How many bones make up a horse’s skeleton? (No, they’re not made of pure muscle.)

Answer: 205 bones

Question: Mammoth again—because size does matter. How tall exactly?

Answer: 21.25 hands

Question: What’s the usual time horses get to live their best life (and eat ALL the hay)?

Answer: 25 to 30 years

Question: Which big softie horse could pull a wagon and give great hugs?

Answer: Clydesdale

Question: What do you call a classy lady horse aged four or up? (Spoiler: not Karen.)

Answer: Mare

Question: Which breed is known for sprinting like it’s late for a Netflix date?

Answer: Thoroughbred

Question: What’s the term for a male horse who’s officially off the dating market?

Answer: Gelding

Question: Which desert-loving breed could totally survive Coachella without water?

Answer: Arabian horse

Question: What’s a wild truth about wild horses that’ll make you rethink “untamed spirit”?

Answer: They were never domesticated

Question: Which horse breed basically moonwalks through dressage competitions?

Answer: Warmbloods

Question: What do you call a young horse with attitude and zero chill (or training)?

Answer: Colt

Question: How short was Thumbelina, the equine world’s tiniest diva?

Answer: 17 inches

Question: Who’s the new star galloping into fame with some serious horse power?

Answer: Harlow’s newest member

Horse Anatomy and Biology

Question: How many bones make up a horse’s skeleton?

Answer: 205 bones

Question: What part of a horse is basically the "wristwatch" of the stable world?

Answer: Knee

Question: What’s weirdly relatable between a horse’s hoof and your manicure?

Answer: Made of keratin, like human fingernails

Question: Forget feet and inches—how are horses measured like royalty?

Answer: In hands (1 hand = 4 inches)

Question: If a horse stands 62 inches tall, how many royal ‘hands’ is that?

Answer: 15.2 hands

Question: Which horses are the MVPs of parades, wagons, and royal processions?

Answer: Harness horses

Question: What’s a horse’s version of pearly whites made of?

Answer: Enamel

Question: What digestive trick helps horses turn grass into energy like champs?

Answer: Hindgut fermentation

Question: Why are horses the ultimate multitaskers of the barn?

Answer: They can sleep both standing and lying down

Question: How long is a horse’s version of a baby-on-board countdown?

Answer: Approximately 11 months

Question: How much sleep does a horse need to stay fabulous?

Answer: 2.9 hours

Question: What’s the steering wheel of horseback riding called? (No, not the reins!)

Answer: Bridle

Question: How do horses make a quick getaway from predators?

Answer: Provides traction and speed

Question: What’s a baby horse called once it’s off the milk menu?

Answer: Weanling

Question: Which horse breed runs like it’s got dinner reservations?

Answer: Thoroughbred

Question: How often do horses need their ‘nails’ done?

Answer: Every 5 to 8 weeks

Question: What fancy gene controls whether your horse is dressed in black or chestnut?

Answer: Melanocortin 1 receptor

Question: What part of a horse’s leg is basically its ankle disguised as a muscle?

Answer: Hock

Question: What do foals do just hours after arriving on Earth that babies take months to master?

Answer: Stand and run

Question: Which four-legged legend could’ve smoked the competition at the Kentucky Derby and beyond?

Answer: Secretariat

Question: How long can a horse thrive when given 5-star treatment?

Answer: Up to 30 years

Question: What’s it called when nature gives horses a pedicure for free?

Answer: Self-trimming

Question: How thirsty can a horse get on a hot day? (Hint: It’s more than your gym water bottle!)

Answer: 38 to 45 liters

Question: What trivia game lets you flex your horse knowledge while horsing around?

Answer: Horse quiz

Question: How many teeth does a fully grown stallion flash when he grins?

Answer: 40 teeth

Horse Behavior and Training

Question: What’s the go-to instinct horses unleash when spooked by, say, a plastic bag or butterfly?

Answer: Fight-or-flight response

Question: How do horses throw shade, flirt, or pick a fight? (Hint: it’s not through texts.)

Answer: Body language and vocalizations

Question: What gear combo helps riders say “giddy up” and “whoa” without yelling?

Answer: Saddle and reins

Question: In horse herds, who’s the real boss lady calling the shots?

Answer: Dominant mare

Question: How do horses go from hay-chomping couch potatoes to Olympic athletes?

Answer: Consistent conditioning and positive reinforcement

Question: What quirky habit makes a horse look like it's grooving to invisible music?

Answer: Weaving

Question: What’s a horse’s first reaction to danger (besides saying “nope” with their eyes)?

Answer: To flee

Question: Which type of horse is basically the chill grandpa of the barn—calm, steady, and unbothered?

Answer: Cold-blooded draft horse

Question: Which training method says “good job” with snacks instead of sass?

Answer: Positive reinforcement

Question: Why is training a young colt like trying to teach a toddler algebra?

Answer: They are easily distracted

Question: How long does it take to turn a horse into a trail-ready, Instagrammable ride?

Answer: Several months to a year

Question: What superpower makes Arabian horses dominate in endurance racing like marathon pros?

Answer: Stamina and resilience

Question: What sneaky habit might a bored horse develop that makes stable owners cringe?

Answer: Chewing on wood

Question: What’s your sacred duty as a rider during horse-themed trivia night?

Answer: To answer questions accurately

Question: What adorable behavior shows a horse actually likes you?

Answer: Mutual grooming

Question: How do trainers know their horse is finally “getting it”?

Answer: Observing responses to commands

Question: How many hours a day do horses live out their “salad lover” fantasy?

Answer: 12 to 16 hours

Question: What’s a sign your horse is vibing with the training and ready for the spotlight?

Answer: Eager to perform tasks

Question: What wild fact proves horses could probably beat you in an IQ test?

Answer: They can learn complex tasks quickly

Question: Which prancy, dressage diva breed is a whole mood on the performance floor?

Answer: Lipizzaner

Question: What does the lead mare in a herd actually do besides serve fierce looks?

Answer: Lead mare guiding the group

Question: Where on a horse should you never surprise them with a tickle?

Answer: Muzzle and ears

Question: What’s a trainer’s real job at a horse camp, besides yelling “heels down”?

Answer: To help riders understand equine behavior

Question: What does it mean when a horse naps (and should you bring a blanket)?

Answer: Light resting or dozing

Question: How do horses throw their weight around in the herd pecking order?

Answer: Nipping and pushing others around

Horse Breeds, Use,and Interaction

Question: Which horse breed clears show jumping fences like they’re made of marshmallows?

Answer: Warmblood

Question: Which fun quiz tests your ability to spot a breed like the sassy Arabian or pint-sized Shetland?

Answer: Horse trivia

Question: What’s the main difference between a draft horse and a light horse (besides the gym membership)?

Answer: Speed and agility versus strength

Question: Which American horse breed could wrangle cattle and still look cool doing it?

Answer: Quarter Horse

Question: Which horse made history in 1973 by winning the Triple Crown and breaking hearts worldwide?

Answer: Secretariat

Question: Which breed is so small and chill it could be your kid’s bestie and lawnmower?

Answer: Shetland Pony

Question: Which modern breed is basically the athlete that dominates both high jumps and elegant prances?

Answer: Hanoverian

Question: What game gets everyone horsing around while showing off their mane knowledge?

Answer: Horse trivia quiz

Question: How tall does your average light horse stand when it’s not on its tippy-hooves?

Answer: 14 to 16 hands

Question: Which ancient breed raced into battle—and would’ve looked awesome on a chariot’s Instagram?

Answer: Arabian horse

Question: Which pony breed teaches kids how to ride and keeps calm when chaos breaks loose?

Answer: Welsh Pony

Question: Which breed hauls logs like it’s leg day every day?

Answer: Belgian

Question: What’s the size-based difference between ponies and horses (and no, it’s not sass levels)?

Answer: Ponies are typically under 14.2 hands

Question: Which muscular farm hero could probably bench press a tractor (if it had arms)?

Answer: Shire

Question: How many horses roam the world today, according to the FAO? (Spoiler: It’s a lot.)

Answer: 59 million

Question: How do trainers turn campers into cowboys and cowgirls?

Answer: Teaching basic riding skills and horse care

Question: Which breed glides like it’s moonwalking, thanks to its smooth ambling gait?

Answer: Tennessee Walking Horse

Question: Which breed came from Spain and struts like it’s born for parades and flamenco beats?

Answer: Andalusian

Question: Which breed zips around racetracks in harness like it’s late for a date?

Answer: Standardbred

Question: Which download turns any horse lover into a trivia champ?

Answer: Big book of horse trivia

Question: Which famous literary steed taught us all how to be brave and beautiful?

Answer: Black Beauty

Question: What fun twist can make your next trivia night totally neigh-tastic?

Answer: Horse knowledge quiz with bragging rights

Question: What trait gives draft horses the build of a furry bodybuilder?

Answer: Large, muscular build

Question: What quiz puts your grooming, feeding, and stable smarts to the test?

Answer: Horse care quiz

Question: What jaw-dropping fact can you drop at a horse-themed party like a mic?

Answer: Horses have excellent memories!