What is the difference between a mare and a filly?

What is a filly? What’s the difference between a mare and a filly? We explain

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Published: Friday, 05 April 2024 at 12:50 PM

The horsey world uses a wealth of equestrian terms. Here we get to grips with the word ‘filly’.

What is a filly?

Mares and fillies are both female horses. A filly is a young female horse or pony under four years old. When it’s born, it is usually referred to a filly foal and then, once it reaches a year old it is known as a filly. It can also be referred to as a yearling.

When a filly reaches four years old, it is upgraded to a mare. If a mare breeds a foal, it is usually known as a broodmare. The mother of a foal is known as the ‘dam’.

What’s the difference between a colt and a filly?

A colt is a young male horse under the age of four. If he has been gelded, he is also known as a gelding. If he doesn’t get castrated, he is known as a stallion when he reaches adulthood.

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