Last Updated on March 8, 2022 by Allison Price
Horses can live to their 20s but they are subject to rapid change. This printable, free horse life cycle shows how a horse grows from conception to old-age.
Printable Life Cycle
Horses go through different stages of their lives as they reach different developmental milestones. To download the entire life cycle image, click on it and then print it for your horse’s use in the classroom or at home. If you need help accessing the printable file, please consult the Adobe guide.
Horse Pregnancy and Childbirth
The gestation period starts when a horse becomes pregnant or conceives a child.
- The mare’s pregnancy can last from 320 days to 370 days. However, the average length is 340 days or just over 11 months.
- The horse fetus is approximately two pounds in weight at 150 days. However, it looks very small.
- Around 250 days old, mares start to look pregnant.
Foaling
The mare will show signs of discomfort about a week before giving birth. Mares usually foal or give birth on their own. The umbilical cord is cut by the mare shortly after birth.
The Stages of Your Life
Horses experience physical and emotional changes at every stage of their lives.
Foal
Baby horses are known as foals from the moment they are born to the time that they stop nursing from their mothers.
- Two hours after birth, start nursing
- Due to the risk of developing respiratory diseases or diarrhea, you will need colostrum (milk from your mother) within six to twelve hours of birth.
- Drinks 15-25 percent of your body weight daily in milk
- Three to five nurses per hour
- Mother still close by
- You can start to eat small amounts foal feed starting around two months old
Weanling
Foals usually wean or cease nursing from their mothers around three to six months of age.
- Some foals may find weaning difficult.
- For proper growth, foals of this age require a balanced diet rich in high-quality proteins, calories, calcium and phosphorus.
- Weanlings will be approximately half their adult weight by six months and about three-fourths of their height.
- Healthy weanlings only gain one pound each day.
- Regular exercise is necessary to build muscle.
- Vaccinations are administered at eight months.
Yearling
It is referred to as a yearling from the moment a horse turns one until the time it turns two.
- As they experience growth spurts, look unbalanced
- Nearly at mature height, and the body is just starting to fill out
- Nature is inquisitive
- You need a lot water
Adolescent
Horses are considered adolescents from the age of two to three.
- At this age, horses reach puberty.
- The growth rate slows.
- A filly is a female, and a ungelded male is called a colt .
- This is the best time to train because they learn quickly.
Adult
Most horses reach adulthood at the age of four.
- Males are now called stallions, or geldings .
- An annual checkup is required for adult horses.
- At this age, they can begin to breed.
- Adult horses should consume about 2 percent of their bodyweight each day in roughage and forage.
Senior
The senior years of a horse may start at 15 but many people today believe horses don’t become seniors until they turn 20.
- A 20-year-old horse can be compared to a 60-year-old human.
- Senior horses need to be examined daily as they can quickly develop health issues and may require medication or pain management.
- Feeding should consist of soft hay.
- You can expect to see weight loss and weight gain.
- Hooves require cleaning daily.
- Senior horses have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature, so they will require shelter.
The Equine Life Cycle
Horses go through a life that includes periods of growth and maturity. You can better care for and work with horses by understanding their growth, development, needs, and requirements at each stage.
