The Differences Between a Foal, a Filly and a Colt

One of the big surprises for someone who decides to enter the horse care community without much prior knowledge can be the terminology. And we don’t just mean learning the difference between your breeches and your bridle. When it comes to horses, there are multiple different terms used to describe both the gender of the animal as well as their age, some of which may overlap and cause all manner of confusion. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy little guide to help you learn the difference between some of the most common horse terms. 

• The terms foal, filly and colt are used to determine the age and sex of horses. 
• A foal can be male or female, a colt is a young male horse that has not been castrated, and a filly is a female horse under 4 years old. 
• Other terms for identifying horses older than a year include mare, stallion, stud, and gelding. 

A foal is any young horse or pony up to a year old, regardless of their gender. That said, some people may refer to their foals as either a “Filly Foal” or a “Coat Foal” to differentiate whether the foal is male or female to potential buyers. 

“Colt” is one of the most mistakenly used terms in the horse community, especially by newcomers who take it to mean any young horse. A colt is the term that someone would use when identifying a male horse that is 4 years or younger and has not been castrated.

If the young male horse has been castrated (had its testicles removed), they are called a “Gelding”. Once a colt reaches four years old, it is referred to as a “Stallion", and if they are being used for breeding purposes, they are known as a “Stud”. Once a stallion (or stud) has fathered a foal, they are called a “Sire.”

On the flip side of a colt, you have a “Filly”. This is the term used to describe a female horse 4 years or younger, although some racing associations consider female horses to be fillies until they are 5 years old.

Once the filly passes age 4, they become known as a “Mare” or a “Broodmare” if they are over three years and are used for breeding purposes. Once a female horse has mothered a foal, she becomes known as a “Dam”. 

If you are new to the equine community, these sudden additions to your vocabulary can be confusing, but we hope this quick guide helps. These terms are used often, and you must understand them if you want to learn how to identify horses, especially when buying or adopting your own horse. 

If you're already a horse owner, why not check out our great range of horse care products, including horse supplements? Or, if you'd like some help finding the right products for your horse, get in touch with us, and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help. 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.