What Makes a Horse a Filly

What is a filly? This is just one of several words used to describe a horse's age and gender. The word is used to differentiate between a young male and female horse. All baby horses are called foals, but a filly or filly foal means that the foal is female.

Definition of Filly 

A female horse under four years of age is called a filly. A female horse over the age of four years is called a mare. The plural of filly is fillies.

Pronunciation

fill ee

Examples

The broodmare had a newborn filly by her side.

The colt and filly played in the pasture.

Characteristics of Fillies

Many people feel that fillies are born with a bit more intelligence than colts. Some believe they’re quicker to gain their feet and start to nurse. Whether this is true or not is debatable.

Colts, however, may mature faster than fillies physically, especially if gelded at a young age. Some also believe that fillies are easier to sell than colts, largely because when buying a young horse that is un-gelded, the new owner must commit to the extra expense of castration. Fillies and mares can be spayed, but it is very unusual and a far more complicated procedure than gelding.

Incorrect Usages of Foal, Colt, and Filly