What age is a horse considered a foal?

A horse is considered a foal when it is under 6 months of age. This terminology is widely accepted in equine terminology, as foals are defined as young horses that are still dependent on their mothers for nutrition and care. During this stage, foals are typically nursing and begin to develop the foundational skills they will need as they grow. This early life period is crucial for their development, both physically and socially, as they learn to interact with their dam and other horses.

Once they reach around 6 months of age, they typically transition into the 'weanling' stage, where they are weaned from their mothers and begin to eat solid food. This timeline reflects the common practices of horse breeding and management, which categorize young horses by these particular developmental milestones.