Article on other languages:
 |
del.icio.us |
 |
Digg |
 |
Furl |
 |
|
 |
Rojo |
| Add to OnlyWire |
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, referring to a horse under one year of age, regardless of gender.
An adult male horse is called either a "stallion" if left fertile and used for breeding, or a "gelding" if castrated. A young male horse is usually called a colt until age four, even if he is gelded.
A young female horse is called a filly until age four, and a mare thereafter.
In the wild, colts are driven from their herds by the herd stallion somewhere between the age of one and two. Some scientists even believe that this may be in part an instinct to prevent inbreeding. When driven out, they usually join with other young stallions in a group called a "bachelor herd." They stay with this band until they are mature enough to form their own herd of mares.
References
1. Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, fifth edition. G. & C. Merriam Co., Springfield: Mass., 1947.
 |
This horse article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
