Lifespan and Life Stages
Depending on breed, care and environment, the modern domestic horse has a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. Uncommonly, a few of them live into their 40s and, occasionally, beyond.
- Foal: a horse of any gender less than one year old. A nursing foal is 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.
- Yearling: a horse of any gender that is between one and two years old.
- Colt: a male horse under the age of 3 years. A common mistake is to call any young horse a "colt" when the term actually only refers to young male horses.
- Filly: a female horse under the age of 3 years.
- Mare: a female horse 3 years old and older.
- Stallion: an un-neutered male horse 3 years old and older. The term "horse" is sometimes used incorrectly to refer specifically to a stallion.
- Gelding: a neutered male horse of any age.
Size and Measurement
The height of horses is measured at the highest point of the withers, where the neck meets the back. This point is used because it is a stable point of the body, unlike the head or neck, which move up and down in relation to the body of the horse.
The height of horses is in hands and inches: one hand is equal to 4 inches. The height is expressed as the number of full hands, followed by a point, then the number of additional inches, and ending with the abbreviation "h" or "hh" (for "hands high"). Thus, a horse described as "15.2 h" is 15 hands plus 2 inches, for a total of 62 inches (157.5 cm) in height
The height of horses is in hands and inches: one hand is equal to 4 inches. The height is expressed as the number of full hands, followed by a point, then the number of additional inches, and ending with the abbreviation "h" or "hh" (for "hands high"). Thus, a horse described as "15.2 h" is 15 hands plus 2 inches, for a total of 62 inches (157.5 cm) in height