What Is the Baby of a Horse Called
The baby of a horse is called a foal. A foal is a young horse of either sex from birth until it is weaned. After weaning, the term changes to weanling, and by the age of one it is usually called a yearling. A female foal may be called a filly, while a male foal is called a colt once it reaches maturity.
How Foals Are Born and Early Development
Mares typically carry a foal for about 11 months and usually give birth to a single foal. Twins are rare and often risky. A newborn foal can stand and walk within hours of birth, which helps it stay safe in the wild. During the first weeks, the foal relies heavily on the mare's milk for nutrition and antibodies.
Care and Growth of a Young Horse
Proper care includes a safe shelter, clean water, quality forage, and regular veterinary checkups. Foals are usually weaned between four and six months of age. By one year old, many foals are transitioned to solid feed and begin basic training. Understanding these stages helps owners support healthy growth and stable development.
