The Horse

A group of Clydesdale horses I encountered in Idaho a few years ago.

Ever since I came to Oregon, I fell in love with horses, especially through visiting families who own horses. I learned a lot about equine biology, breeding and everything related to the care of horses. A beautiful, elegant animal indeed, I also learned about different breeds and categories of horses....as well as the description of various stages in the life of horses.

A newborn horse named Julian, unfortunately becoming a gelding to my disappointment.

The following terminology is used to describe horses of various ages:

• Colt: a male horse under the age of four.
• Filly: a female horse under the age of four.
• Foal: a horse of either sex less than one year old. A nursing foal is sometimes called a suckling and a foal that has been weaned is called a weanling. Most domesticated foals are weaned at five to seven months of age, although foals can be weaned at four months with no adverse physical effects.
• Gelding: a castrated male horse of any age.
• Mare: a female horse four years old and older.
• Stallion: a non-castrated male horse four years old and older. The term "horse" is sometimes used colloquially to refer specifically to a stallion.
• Yearling: a horse of either sex that is between one and two years old.
  

  

  The Magnificent 7 - Clark quarter horses from Mount Vernon