Differences Between Foal And Pony

Foal vs. Pony

Not many people appreciate having a horse as a pet. Truly, having a horse as a pet is not only original and unique, but fun too. While others have dogs, cats, and rabbits, would not it be nice if you actually had a pet you could ride? However, having a horse as a pet is not a walk in the park. This requires responsibility. If you think you can commit yourself to this challenging undertaking, then having a horse might just be a good idea for you. There are different types of terms used when talking about horses. This is because these terms vary in their breeds and their needs according to their ages. Thus, for you to take proper care of a horse, you should first identify two of the most common ‘horse terms’ that confuse everybody.

The Foal

A foal is basically a term for baby horses. They are the horses not more than one year of age. They stay for 11 months in their mother’s womb and grow surprisingly fast. After the birth of a foal, it can already manage to eat solid foods after 10 days. A foal is equivalent to the human term ‘baby.’ This means that these horses can either be a male or a female. Their legs are already 90% as long as those of the adult horses when they are born. A female foal is called a ‘filly’ while a male foal is called a ‘colt.’ Once foals reach the age of more than a year, they are officially called ‘yearlings’ and no longer foals, so to speak. They have been used by people for transportation for thousands of years. Nowadays, they help on farms or are bred for racing.

The Pony

Children have different ideas of what ponies look like. Most doll manufacturers will create pony dolls that have wings or colored hair. Ponies are a part of the equine family and are naturally short. They have shorter legs and fatter bodies than those of horses. The manes of ponies are usually thicker too. The height of the ponies is generally not more than 147 cm. They are generally a sweet and intelligent type of equine. Modern ponies have been domesticated in the Northern Hemisphere for survival purposes. Ponies can be many different breeds. Ponies usually serve the purpose of enticing children and giving them rides in most adventure parks.

Foals and ponies are often mistaken with each other because they look a lot alike. They are both small. However, foals will eventually grow to a normal size. When compared, these two are usually similar in physical looks but not in age. A foal is still a baby horse, while a pony might already be an adult. However, the pony’s size is so restricted that it is often mistaken as a baby horse. It is indeed important to understand these terms when you are considering a horse as a pet. Knowing these basic information will help you to take care of them.

Summary:

Foals and ponies are often mistaken with each other because of the fact that they look a lot alike. They are both small.

When compared, these two are usually similar in physical looks but not in age. A foal is still a baby horse, while a pony might already be an adult.

A foal is a term for a baby horse. They are the horses not more than one year of age.

Ponies are a part of the equine family and are naturally short. They have shorter legs and fatter bodies than those of the horses.

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