What age are they called a stallion?

[Stacie_and_Jed]

After reading a post below about a 4 year old colt got me thinking.

So, what age does a horse go from being a colt to a stallion?

 

[zoeshiloh]

This is an interesting one, and it depends who you ask....

I was always told that a colt is called a stallion when he reaches his fourth year.

But an old farmhand (must be in his 90's) said that the stud he worked on as a boy, colts became stallions once they had bred a foal.

When I was in Kenya, a Maasai chap told me the horses/zebras are only called stallions if they are in charge of the herd - everything else is a colt (or a mare/filly obviously).

So I guess it depends what country you are in, and who you ask. I think the generally accepted norm is that they are a colt until they are 3, and a stallion in their fourth year though

 

[hellybelly6]

I was under the impression that it was when the colt turned 3.

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

A colt becomes a stallion once he has covered.

 

[Silverspring]

I also thought it was 3 but if you google it a fair few places think 4. Colt or stallion, so long as you know they've got their nuts and shouldn't be messed with

 

[zoeshiloh]

In show schedules, they still refer to a 3yo as a colt.

 

[JaneMBE]

Stallion: a non-castrated male horse four years old and older.
Don't think it's anything to do with when he has had nookie

 

[Stacie_and_Jed]

I suppose its the same as going from boy to a man - they are still a man at 18 regardless if they have had nookie or not!

Im sure some will disagree with me on this though and say they never grow up hehe?!

 

[Kenzo]

According to the BHS I was told 4 also in many breed societies they say 4 and over and most show schedules as usually you have a mare & foal, yearling, 2-3 year olds then a stallion class but it may vary between breeds etc