Here at Mill House Riding Centre we love to have some fun so this page is full of horsey puzzles, see how many you can get right!

Question 1.

How many horses can you see in this picture?

Quiz 1

1. Do horses sleep lying down?

2. What is a farrier?

3. Can ponies smell well?

4. Do horses have muscles in their lower legs?

5. What are the horse's 4 paces?

Quiz 2

1. What is the difference between a pony and a horse?

2. Are Shetlands the smallest breed of horse?

3. Can horses swim?

4. What is a hogged mane?

5. Is a 'sire' male or female?

Quiz 3

1. Do horses get lost?

2. How long do horses live?

3. How do you tell how old a horse is?

4. Do horses have feathers?

5. How much time do horses spend eating each day?

Quiz 4

1. What is a snip?

2. What is meant by a 'green' horse?

3. What is the height measurement used for horses?

4. Why do you groom a horse?

5. Can you have a bridle without a bit?

Quiz 5

1. Do horses grow out of their shoes?

2. From which side do you get on a horse?

3. What does a red ribbon in a horse's tail mean?

4. What is a male foal called?

5. Do horses make friends?

We are all very excited to be expecting a foal to be born at Mill House Riding Centre very soon so here are a few interesting facts about foals....

Everyone knows that baby horses are called foals.

But did you know?

  • Boy foals are called colts, while girl foals are called fillies. Young horses are called colts and fillies up until the age of 3.
  • Yearlings are colts or fillies who are a year old.
  • When a horse is born, it's legs are almost their full adult length! - giving them that extremely cute "long-legged look" we all love so much.
  • Most foals are born at night under cover of darkness and away from prying eyes and possible danger.
  • The best time of year for a foal to be born is in the spring, when the weather is at its kindest and the lush grass is at its best for the mares.
  • A new-born foal can stand up within an hour of being born and can keep up with the rest of the herd within 24 hours!
  • When first born, foals cannot eat grass because their legs are too long to reach it!
  • Thoroughbreds all have their birthday on the same day. This makes it easier for keeping racing, breeding and showing records.
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, (which includes the USA, Canada and Europe), their birthday is January1st.
  • In the Southern Hemisphere, (which includes Australia, New Zealand and Japan), horses have their birthday on August the 1st.

We would love to receive any name ideas you have for Ziggy's foal!

Answers

 

Question 1:

5 (This one is tough!)

 

Quiz 1

1. Horses generally sleep standing up, but spend some time lying down if they feel safe enough.

2. A farrier is a person who shoes and trims horses' feet.

3. Horses and ponies have a very good sense of smell.

4. No, horses do not have muscles in their lower legs.

5. The four basic paces of a horse are: walk, trot, canter and gallop.

 

Quiz 2

1. A pony measures 14.2 hands and under, while a horse is over 14.2 hands high.

2. Falabellas from Argentina are the smallest breed of horse.

3. Yes, horses can swim. Many really enjoy the water!

4. A  hogged mane is one which has been shaved off.

5. A sire is always a male horse. He is the father.

 

 
Quiz 3

1. Horses have very good "homing" senses and can find their way back from a very long way away.

2. The average lifespan of a horse is around 20-25 years.

3. Experienced horse people can tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth.

4. Yes! Feathers are the long hairs on the back of a horse's lower leg. They help to drain water away from the hoof.

5. Horses at grass spend around 11-13 hours a day grazing.

 
Quiz 4

1. A snip is a face marking.

2. A green horse is one who has not been broken in very long

3. The measurement used for horses is 'hands high' or 'hh'(1 hand = 4 inches or 10 cm)

4. You groom a horse to keep it clean and to enable its skin to breathe properly.

5. Yes. A bridle without a bit is called a hackamore.

 

Quiz 5

1. A horse's hoof is always growing, just like your fingernails, so shoes need to be re-fitted regularly.

2. You should always mount a horse from its left (near) side.

3. A red ribbon in a horse's tail indicates that it may kick, so you should stay away.

4. A male foal up to three years old is called a colt.

5. Yes, horses do make friends and will often have a special 'buddy'.