Horse Gender Terms: Complete Guide
A comprehensive guide to horse gender terminology. Learn about fillies, mares, colts, stallions, geldings, and how they differ by age and sex.
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Understanding Horse Gender Terminology
Horse terminology uses specific terms based on both gender and age. A horse's designation changes as they age, which means the same horse will be called by different names throughout their life.
This can be confusing for newcomers, but once you understand the system, it makes perfect sense. Let's break down every term you need to know.
Complete Horse Gender Terms Reference
| Term | Gender | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foal | Either | 0-1 year | A baby horse of either gender. All horses start as foals before being classified as fillies or colts. |
| Filly | Female | 0-4 years | A young female horse. Fillies are female horses that have not yet reached adulthood (4 years old). |
| Colt | Male | 0-4 years | A young male horse. Colts are male horses that have not yet reached adulthood. |
| Mare | Female | 4+ years | An adult female horse. Mares are fully mature and can be used for breeding. |
| Stallion | Male | 4+ years | An adult uncastrated male horse. Stallions are kept intact for breeding purposes. |
| Gelding | Male | Any (usually 1+ years) | A castrated male horse. Most male horses are gelded to make them more manageable. |
| Rig | Male | Any | A male horse with one or both undescended testicles. A rare condition that can affect behavior. |
| Broodmare | Female | 4+ years | A mare specifically kept for breeding and raising foals. |
| Stud | Male | 4+ years | A stallion used specifically for breeding. Also refers to the breeding facility itself. |
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Female Horse Terms
Foal
0-1 year • Either
A baby horse of either gender. All horses start as foals before being classified as fillies or colts.
Filly
0-4 years • Female
A young female horse. Fillies are female horses that have not yet reached adulthood (4 years old).
Mare
4+ years • Female
An adult female horse. Mares are fully mature and can be used for breeding.
Broodmare
4+ years • Female
A mare specifically kept for breeding and raising foals.
Male Horse Terms
Foal
0-1 year • Either
A baby horse of either gender. All horses start as foals before being classified as fillies or colts.
Colt
0-4 years • Male
A young male horse. Colts are male horses that have not yet reached adulthood.
Stallion
4+ years • Male
An adult uncastrated male horse. Stallions are kept intact for breeding purposes.
Gelding
Any (usually 1+ years) • Male
A castrated male horse. Most male horses are gelded to make them more manageable.
Rig
Any • Male
A male horse with one or both undescended testicles. A rare condition that can affect behavior.
Stud
4+ years • Male
A stallion used specifically for breeding. Also refers to the breeding facility itself.
Life Progression: How Terms Change
A horse's terminology changes as they age. Here's how a single horse progresses through different names:
Female Horse Life Cycle
Male Horse Life Cycle
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Stallion vs Gelding: Why Castrate?
Most male horses are gelded (castrated) rather than kept as stallions. Here's why:
Stallions (Intact)
- • Kept for breeding purposes
- • Can be aggressive and difficult to handle
- • Require special facilities and handling
- • High testosterone affects behavior
- • Usually not suitable for novice owners
Geldings (Castrated)
- • Calmer, more even-tempered
- • Easier to handle and train
- • Can be kept with other horses
- • Focus on work rather than breeding
- • Most common type of riding horse
Special Breeding Terms
Broodmare
A mare used specifically for breeding and raising foals. Broodmares are valued for their bloodlines and mothering ability.
Stud / Studbook
A stallion used for breeding is called a stud. A studbook is the registry that records the pedigrees of horses eligible for breeding.
Dam and Sire
A horse's mother is called the dam, and the father is called the sire. These terms are used in pedigrees and breeding records.
Quick Reference Summary
Female Horses
- • Foal → Filly → Mare
- • Foal: Baby (either gender)
- • Filly: Young female (0-4 years)
- • Mare: Adult female (4+ years)
Male Horses
- • Foal → Colt → Stallion/Gelding
- • Foal: Baby (either gender)
- • Colt: Young male (0-4 years)
- • Stallion: Uncastrated adult male
- • Gelding: Castrated male
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to test what you've learned? Take our interactive quiz to see how well you understand horse gender terms.
Take the Horse Gender Quiz