A Foal Can Stand Within an Hour of Birth
A foal is a young horse. Being able to run almost immediately is what kept the species alive.
A foal is a horse or donkey under one year old. Most foals stand within an hour of birth and can run the same day, because their ancestors lived on open plains where a newborn unable to flee was a newborn eaten. Animals born in this developed state are called precocial, in contrast to altricial young like kittens and human babies. *Foal* is Old English and shares a root with Greek *polos* and Latin *pullus*, both meaning a young animal.
- A young horse. *A newborn foal.*
- To give birth. *The mare foaled.*
- Colt — a young male. *A colt.*
- Filly — a young female. *A filly.*
- Old English — *fola*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | foal | A foal. |
| Plural | foals | Foals. |
| Verb | foal | Foaling. |
| Male | colt | A colt. |
| Female | filly | A filly. |
- The foal stood within the hour.Birth.
- The mare foaled at dawn.Verb.
- A colt is a young male.Terms.
Precocial and altricial young
- Precocial — born developed, able to move and feed quickly
- Horses, deer and ducks are precocial
- Altricial — born helpless, needing long care
- Cats, songbirds and humans are altricial
- Open plains favour precocial young, since fleeing is the only defence
Old English *fola*, of Germanic origin, related to Greek *polos* and Latin *pullus*, a young animal.
How quickly can a foal walk?
Usually within an hour of birth, and it can run the same day. On open plains a newborn that cannot flee does not survive.
What is the difference between a colt and a filly?
A colt is a young male horse and a filly a young female. Foal covers both in the first year.