Frequently Asked Questions About Fillies
Get answers to common questions about young female horses, filly terminology, and horse age classifications.
Advertisement
Ad Space - Advertisement
Understanding Filly Terminology
Horse terminology can be confusing, especially when it comes to age and gender classifications. A filly is a young female horse under 4 years old, but this simple definition raises many questions.
Below, we've compiled the most frequently asked questions about fillies to help you understand this important equine term. Whether you're new to horses or just need a refresher, you'll find clear, accurate answers here.
All Questions About Fillies
What is a filly horse?▼
A filly is a young female horse, typically under 4 years old (under 5 years in UK racing terminology). The term specifically refers to female horses that have not yet reached adulthood.
At what age does a filly become a mare?▼
A filly becomes a mare when she turns 4 years old (5 years old in UK racing terminology). This age milestone marks the transition from youth to adulthood for female horses.
Is a filly the same as a colt?▼
No. A colt is a young male horse, while a filly is a young female horse. Both are under 4 years old, but they differ in gender just as boys and girls do.
What's the difference between a filly and a foal?▼
A foal is any baby horse (male or female) under 1 year old. A filly is specifically a young female horse aged 0-4 years. All fillies start as foals, but not all foals are fillies.
Can a filly have babies?▼
No, fillies are too young to breed. Only mares (adult female horses 4+ years old) can reproduce. Fillies are still growing and developing, and breeding them at a young age would be harmful.
When is a filly fully grown?▼
Most horses reach full physical maturity around age 5, though they can begin training earlier. While a filly becomes a mare at age 4, she may continue to fill out and develop for another year or so.
What do you call a young female horse?▼
A young female horse is called a filly. This term applies from birth until the horse reaches 4 years of age, at which point she is called a mare.
Do fillies race against colts?▼
In horse racing, fillies typically race against other fillies in races restricted to their gender. However, fillies can also compete in open races against colts and older horses, and some have even won major races against males.
What is a yearling filly?▼
A yearling filly is a female horse between 1 and 2 years old. The term 'yearling' refers to any horse (male or female) in this age range.
Why is it called a filly?▼
The word 'filly' comes from the Old Norse word 'fylja,' meaning 'female foal.' It evolved through Middle English as 'filli' or 'fyly' before becoming the modern English term we use today.
What is a group of fillies called?▼
A group of fillies (or any horses) is commonly called a herd, team, string, or harras. In racing contexts, a group of horses owned by one person is called a stable.
How do you pronounce 'filly'?▼
Filly is pronounced 'FILL-ee' (/ˈfɪli/). It rhymes with words like 'billie,' 'millie,' and 'silly.' The emphasis is on the first syllable.
Advertisement
Ad Space - Advertisement
Quick Reference: Filly at a Glance
0-4
Years Old
Female
Gender
Young
Life Stage
Related Topics
Want to learn more about horse terminology? Explore these related pages: