A baby horse is called… Foal terminology and more

A baby horse is called…Foal terms

Foal is a general term for a baby or young horse.

Colt or stud colt is a male foal.

Filly is a female foal.

Foal terms categorized by age

A baby horse is called a newborn at 0-4 days of age.

A newborn neonate is 0-4 days of age. 

A baby horse is called a neonate at 4-14 days of age.

A neonate is 4-14 days of age.

A juvenile is 14 days- 6 months of age. A juvenile foal is still called a colt or filly.

A weanling is 6 months of age and has been weaned from the mare. A yearling is 1 year of age. However, these are general terms. A young horse will still be called a filly or colt to specify the sex of the horse. For example, one might say, “the yearling filly.” 

A young female horse is called a filly until 4-5 years of age. 

More terms

Stallion is a male intact mature horse. 

Mare is a female intact mature horse (>4-5 years of age). 

Gelding is a male castrated horse. 

Broodmare is a mature mare used for breeding.  

Maiden mare is a mare having her first foal. 

“in foal” means a pregnant mare.

Foaling is when a mare gives birth.

A baby horse is called…frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is a pony a baby horse?

No. A pony is a breed of horse. Ponies are smaller (less than 14.2 hands) than horses. A hand is 4 inches and is used to measure the height of a horse from the ground to the withers.

What do you call a baby mule or donkey?

A baby mule or donkey is called a foal. It is a colt if it is a male and a filly if it is a female.