Mustang horses can be male or female. “Mustang” does not mean male or female; it refers to a population or type of horse, especially free-roaming horses descended from domesticated animals in North America. Sex-specific horse terms are the same for Mustangs as for other horses: a mature male is a stallion, a castrated male is a gelding, a mature female is a mare, and a young horse is a foal.
Are Mustang horses male or female?
Mustangs can be either sex. The word Mustang describes the horse’s history and population, not its reproductive anatomy. A herd may include stallions, mares, foals, yearlings, colts, and fillies.
The Bureau of Land Management explains that protected free-roaming horses and burros on public lands are managed under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Its terminology and legal definitions matter when discussing public-land herds, so it is better to avoid treating every Mustang as an identical “breed” or assuming every horse labeled a Mustang lives in the wild.
What is a male Mustang called?
A mature, intact male Mustang is a stallion. A male horse that has been castrated is a gelding, regardless of whether he is a Mustang, Quarter Horse, or another type. “Stud” is commonly used for a stallion kept for breeding, but it is not a general term for every male horse.
A young male is usually called a colt. In horse terminology, age and reproductive status overlap: a young horse may be described as a colt, while an adult male may be a stallion or gelding. Do not infer temperament from the label alone. Training, handling, health, environment, and individual history all affect behavior.
What is a female Mustang called?
A mature female Mustang is a mare. A young female is a filly. A female of any age that has not yet reached maturity may be described by both age and sex—for example, “filly” for a young female horse.
Mares may be pregnant or nursing, but neither condition changes the basic sex term. A mare that has given birth is still a mare. If you are caring for a mare or foal, breeding, pregnancy, and veterinary questions should be handled with an equine veterinarian rather than inferred from general breed information.
What are young Mustangs called?
A horse under about one year old is generally called a foal, whether male or female. A young male may be called a colt, and a young female a filly. From roughly one to two years, “yearling” describes age and can be combined with sex, such as “yearling colt.” Exact age conventions can vary slightly by discipline and registry.
Are Mustangs wild or feral horses?
“Wild horse” is common everyday language, but many Mustangs descend from domesticated horses that returned to free-roaming life, so “feral” is often more precise biologically. The legal meaning depends on the population and jurisdiction. BLM-protected horses on designated public lands are managed as wild free-roaming horses under federal law, while privately owned or domestically bred Mustangs may have very different histories and handling.
That distinction is useful for horse owners: a horse’s label does not tell you whether it is trained, safe for a beginner, or ready for a particular job. Evaluate the individual’s training, health, feet, body condition, and behavior. Previously feral horses may need careful, experienced handling; a well-trained Mustang can be a capable companion for trail, ranch, or competition work.
Frequently asked questions
Are Mustang horses male or female?
Mustang horses can be male or female. Mustang describes a type of free-roaming or formerly free-roaming horse, not sex.
What is a male Mustang called?
A mature, uncastrated male Mustang is a stallion. A castrated male is a gelding; a young male is a colt.
What is a female Mustang called?
A mature female Mustang is a mare. A young female is a filly.
Are Mustangs wild horses?
In everyday speech people often say wild horses, but many North American Mustangs are feral descendants of domesticated horses. The legal definition of wild horses depends on the jurisdiction; the BLM manages protected free-roaming horses on designated public lands.
Related Mustang and horse-breed guides
- Mustang vs. Bronco: What Is the Difference?
- 20 Most Popular Horse Breeds
- 15 Smallest Horse Breeds in the World
- What Is the Most Dangerous Horse Breed?
Sources
- Bureau of Land Management: About Wild Horses and Burros
- Bureau of Land Management: Wild Horse and Burro Program
- American Association of Equine Practitioners: Breeding Terminology
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I've been around horses since I was 6 years old and started competing at the age of 9. Horses are my greatest passion and I am thrilled to be able to share my 23 (and counting) years of experience and knowledge with you.