Various terms are used to describe male and female horses of different ages. Check out our guide to the horse terminology used to indicate a horse's gender and age.
Filly
A female horse or pony under 4 years of age.
Colt
A male horse or pony under 4 years of age that has not been gelded (castrated).
Foal
A female or male horse or pony under 1 year of age. A female foal is known as a "Filly Foal", a male foal is known as a "Colt Foal".
Weanling
A foal that has been weaned. Foals are typically weaned at 5-6 months of age.
Yearling
A female or male horse that is between 1 and 2 years old. A female yearling is known as a "Yearling Filly", a male yearling that has not been gelded (castrated) is known as a "Yearling Colt".
Mare
A female horse or pony that is 4 years or older.
Stallion
A male horse or pony that is 4 years or older that has not been gelded (castrated). Stallions are also known as "Entire".
Gelding
A male horse or pony of any age that has been gelded (castrated).
Rig
A male horse or pony who has either one or both testes undescended and retained or a male horse that has been improperly castrated. Rigs can display stallion tendencies, especially around mares.
