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What Is a Baby Horse Called

What Is a Baby Horse Called? (With Pictures & Facts)

Have you ever wondered what a baby horse is called? It’s more confusing than most people think, as there are various names given to a baby horse. Factors such as their age and gender influence the terms given to a baby horse, making it difficult to know exactly what to call a baby horse! 

So, we’ve created a handy guide that covers all the standard terms for a baby horse as it grows into adulthood. You are probably familiar with some of these terms, while others are less widely known outside of the horse industry. 

Let’s take a closer look at the various terms we use to call a baby horse! 

What is a Baby Horse Called? 

It is a good idea to start with the baby horse term that most people are familiar with – a foal. 

A foal is a general term used to describe a baby horse, so there’s a good chance you’ve heard it before. However, a foal is only specific to a baby horse that is under one year old. 

Furthermore, a foal doesn’t refer to a specific gender, as there are other terms for this that we discuss below. A foal applies to both a female and male horse under one year old.

So, because a foal only covers newly born horses up to the age of one, we need to explore more terminology! There are additional terms we use to refer to a baby horse, with more specific names given based on things like age and gender. 

After all, a horse is still considered a baby for several years, as it does take a while for it to reach adulthood!  

Weanling and Yearling 

Another few terms for a baby horse some are familiar with are yearling and weanling. The terms are often mistaken for each other, as they both refer to a baby horse, yet is a difference.

For example, a weanling is a name for a baby horse that has recently stopped nursing. Because baby horses stop nursing at around six months old, a weanling is also technically a foal! This is why there is sometimes confusion about the various names for a baby horse, as both foal and weanlings are horses under one year old. 

A yearling is slightly different, with the term referring to a baby horse over one year old. So, once a horse reaches its first birthday, it’s no longer called a foal, being called a yearling instead. The hint is right there in the name – a yearling for one year of life! 

Additionally, both yearling and weanling doesn’t refer to a specific gender, the same as a foal isn’t gender specific.  These terms are used to help identify the specific age of a horse, as horses require different levels of care and treatment as they age. 

So, to recap – a weanling is a name for a baby horse that’s stopped nursing and a yearling is a name for a baby horse that’s over one year old. 

Names for a Male and Female Baby Horse 

As discussed above, foals, yearlings, and weanlings are not gender-specific names for a baby horse. Gender-based names are given once a horse reaches between two and four years of age, where they’re not quite adults. These horses are still considered young but no longer babies, so are given different names to reflect this stage of their life. 

A male horse aged between two and four is called a colt, with the term often used before they hit two. However, a colt specifically refers to a young male horse aged between two and four years old. 

A female horse aged between two and for is called a filly. Again, some female horses that aren’t quite two are still called fillies, mainly to help specify the gender of younger horses. However, filly specifically refers to female horses between the ages of two and four years old.  

In either case, both fillies and colts are still young horses, not quite fully grown but also no longer a weanling, foal, or yearling.  

Names for Male and Female Adult Horse 

So, we now know all the terms for a baby horse, covering everything from their specific age range to their gender. 

The last piece of the puzzle is knowing the term for an adult horse. These terms are probably more widely known, being more common than names for a baby horse. 

A horse is considered an adult once it reaches four years old. At four years old, a horse is fully grown, so is recognized as having officially reached adulthood. We only need to use terms based on gender now, as adult horses aren’t given names based on their specific age. 

For example, an adult male horse is called a stallion, while an adult female horse is called a mare. 

However, there are some additional terms we use based on adult horses’ mating habits. For instance, if a male adult horse is castrated, he is no longer a stallion but instead a gelding. Stallions that do mate are also called studs, indicating their status as breeding horses. 

Female horses that mate with studs also have a specific term, being called broodmares. Again, these terms are used to help identify what horses are used for breeding. This is because not all stallions and mares are used for breeding, instead of being used for work or entertainment. 

Interesting Facts About Baby Horses 

Interesting Facts About Baby Horses 

Foals Have an Interesting Birth 

An odd fact about foals is that most baby horses are born in the dark! Foals are born in the dark because horses are prey animals, so birthing at night is safer for the horse. Most baby horses are therefore born at night or in the early hours of the morning! 

Also, it doesn’t take long for a foal to start walking – they’re usually mobile two hours after their birth! Hopefully, they don’t struggle too much walking around in the dark. If a foal can’t walk within 24 hours of birth, it’s important to contact a vet to make sure they’re okay! 

Mares Milk is Essential for a Healthy Foal 

A foal is up walking a few hours after birth, mainly to ensure they have access to their mother’s milk. In fact, it’s important for a foal to start nursing as quickly as possible to ensure they receive colostrum. 

Colostrum is the term for the first milk that a foal receives from a mare. It’s special milk with added nutritional goodness, helping to strengthen the foal’s immune system. Foals are born with weak immune systems, so colostrum is essential for their early health. 

Therefore, it’s vital that a foal gets its first milk within 24 hours of birth – preferably sooner when possible! A foal requires around half a gallon of colostrum within its first 24 hours to ensure a healthy immune system and to help pass their first manure. 

Foals and Mares Share a Close Bond 

There are examples of strong bonds between mother and children throughout nature, and horses are no exception. In fact, a mare and her foal share an incredibly close bond from the offset, communicating with each other instantly.

As mentioned above, it’s important for a foal to receive its mother’s milk immediately to help boost its immune system. Nursing continues throughout the first six months of the foal’s life, after which they are weaned. This is why a six-month-old baby horse is called a weanling!

A mother and baby horse maintain a close bond for the first few years of the baby’s life. The mother helps teach foal how to graze and gallop while showing them how to stay safe.   

It’s easy to see mother and baby horses bond with each other, even straight from birth. The mare typically starts nuzzling her foal about 20 minutes after giving birth. Other signs of bonding between mother and baby include licking and nudging. 

Foals Sometimes Sleep Standing Up 

Adult horses only need around three hours of sleep per day, although baby horses need much longer. For example, a baby horse spends about half their day sleeping, until they reach about three months. 

After three months, a baby horse stops sleeping as much, while also changing how they sleep. Instead of always sleeping on the ground, they sometimes like to sleep standing upright! Adult horses sleep both lying down and standing up, so foals mimic this habit after a few months. 

Seeing a baby horse sleeping as they stand is an adorable sight!

Conclusion 

The above guide explains all the different terms for a baby horse. Most people use the term foal, which refers to a baby horse that’s under one year old. It then becomes a weanling after six months, transitioning into a yearling once it becomes one. 

Once a baby horse reaches two years of age, more gender specific terms come into play, including colt and filly. At four, horses are considered adults, being called stallions, studs, geldings, mares, and broodmares. 

With so many terms for horses throughout their lives, it’s easy to see why some people are unsure what to call them! Hopefully, this guide helps clear up any confusion, so you know exactly what to call a baby horse throughout its life.