Foal vs. Colt: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
A foal is a young horse under one year old, regardless of gender. A colt is a male horse under the age of four.
Key Differences
Foal and colt are terms frequently used in the equestrian world to denote young horses, but they hold distinct meanings. A foal is a term used for a young horse, regardless of its gender, typically from the time of its birth until it turns one year old. This means that both male and female young horses can be referred to as foals during this early stage of life.
Contrastingly, the term colt is gender-specific. A colt specifically refers to a male horse that is under the age of four. After a colt turns four, it is usually referred to simply as a male horse or a stallion if it hasn't been gelded. Therefore, while all colts are foals at the initial stage, not all foals are colts, since foals can be either male or female.
Foal can also be used as a verb, meaning the act of a mare giving birth to a young horse. In such a context, it's common to hear phrases like "the mare foaled last night." Colt, however, does not have a verb form in the equestrian context. Its usage is limited to denoting a young male horse.
In daily conversations outside the equestrian community, there might be some confusion, with some people using the term colt more generally for all young horses. However, for those familiar with horse terminology, the difference between foal and colt is quite clear and significant.
Comparison Chart
Gender Specificity
Not gender-specific
Male only
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Age Limit
Up to 1 year old
Up to 4 years old
Use as a Verb
Yes (e.g., the mare foaled)
No
Refers to Female Young
Yes
No
Broad or Narrow Term
Broader term (includes all young horses)
Narrower term (specific to young males)
Foal and Colt Definitions
Foal
Offspring of equine species.
The zebra's foal had distinct stripes.
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Colt
A young male horse under four years old.
The colt galloped across the field energetically.
Foal
A term regardless of gender.
The two foals played, one male and one female.
Colt
Male counterpart to a filly.
The colt was more adventurous than his sister, the filly.
Foal
A young horse of either gender under one year.
The foal stood wobbly next to its mother.
Colt
A term specific to males.
Among the two foals, only one was a colt.
Foal
To give birth (in context of horses).
The mare is expected to foal next week.
Colt
Not yet a stallion.
Though a colt now, he'll be a fine stallion someday.
Foal
The result of a mare's pregnancy.
After months of waiting, the mare had a healthy foal.
Colt
Young of some other animals (less common).
The deer, a colt, was spotted near the woods.
Foal
The young offspring of a horse or other equine animal, especially one under a year old.
Colt
A young male horse, especially an ungelded racehorse less than five years old, or a young male of another equine species.
Foal
To give birth to a foal.
Colt
A youthful or inexperienced person; a novice.
Foal
A young horse or other equine, especially just after birth or less than a year old.
Colt
A young male horse.
Foal
A young boy who assisted the headsman by pushing or pulling the tub.
Colt
A young crane (bird).
Foal
(ambitransitive) To give birth to (a foal); to bear offspring.
Colt
(figuratively) A youthful or inexperienced person; a novice.
Foal
The young of any animal of the Horse family (Equidæ); a colt; a filly.
Colt
A professional cricketer during his first season.
Foal
To bring forth (a colt); - said of a mare or a she ass.
Colt
(nautical) A short piece of rope once used by petty officers as an instrument of punishment.
Foal
To bring forth young, as an animal of the horse kind.
Colt
(biblical) A young camel or donkey.
Foal
A young horse
Colt
To horse; to get with young.
Foal
Give birth to a foal;
The mare foaled
Colt
To befool.
Colt
To frisk or frolic like a colt; to act licentiously or wantonly.
Colt
The young of the equine genus or horse kind of animals; - sometimes distinctively applied to the male, filly being the female. Cf. Foal.
Colt
A young, foolish fellow.
Colt
A short knotted rope formerly used as an instrument of punishment in the navy.
Colt
To frisk or frolic like a colt; to act licentiously or wantonly.
They shook off their bridles and began to colt.
Colt
To horse; to get with young.
Colt
To befool.
Colt
A young male horse under the age of four
Colt
A kind of revolver
FAQs
Is "foaling" the act of a horse giving birth?
Yes, when a mare gives birth, she's said to "foal."
Can both male and female young horses be foals?
Yes, foal is a gender-neutral term.
What's the female equivalent of a colt?
A filly.
At what age does a colt stop being called a colt?
At the age of four.
Is it correct to say "the mare has a colt" when she gives birth?
Only if the newborn is male.
What's the term for a young horse after it's no longer a foal but still not fully grown?
It's often just called a "young horse," or specifically "colt" or "filly" based on gender.
Can "colt" be used as a verb like "foal"?
No, "colt" is not used as a verb.
How long after birth can a horse be called a foal?
Up to its first birthday.
When does a foal start walking after birth?
Usually within a few hours.
Can a female horse be called a colt?
No, only young male horses are colts.
Can the term colt be used for animals other than horses?
Less commonly, but it can refer to the young of other animals like deer.
What's the primary difference between a foal and a colt?
A foal is any young horse under one year, while a colt is a male horse under four years.
What is a gelded colt called?
A gelding.
Does a colt eventually become a stallion?
If he isn't gelded, yes, he becomes a stallion.
Are all colts foals at some point?
Yes, all colts are foals during their first year.
How soon can one determine if a foal is a colt or filly?
Almost immediately upon birth by checking their anatomy.
Is a two-year-old male horse still a colt?
Yes, up until he's four years old.
Are terms like "foal" and "colt" used for donkeys?
While "foal" can be, "colt" is generally horse-specific. Donkey terms differ.
If not all foals are colts, what might the others be?
Fillies, which are female young horses.
Can a mare have twins, and would they both be foals?
Yes, though twins are rare in horses. Both would be foals.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
