stallion

horse

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 23, 2026

Quick Summary

A stallion is an adult male horse, particularly one used for breeding. Horses, domesticated around 6,000 years ago, have a unique relationship with humans, serving as partners in work, transport, and recreation. Historically, they held significant cultural and symbolic importance, appearing in mythology and art across various civilizations.12

Horses have diverse anatomical adaptations for speed and grazing, with specialized teeth and digestive tracts. Their diet primarily consists of grasses, hay, and grains, with specific nutritional needs that have evolved over time. A mature male horse is a stallion, while a female is a mare. Castrated males are geldings, and young horses are foals (colts for males, fillies for females).34

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

livestock farming
Management
…is sired by an expensive stallion out of a valuable mare.
Read More
…is sired by an expensive stallion out of a valuable mare.
Read More

horse
Form and function
…male horse is called a stallion, the female a mare. A stallion used for breeding is known as a stud. A castrated stallion is commonly called a gelding. Formerly, stallions were employed as riding horses, while mares were kept for breeding purposes only. Geldings were used for work and as…
Read More
…male horse is called a stallion, the female a mare. A stallion used for breeding is known as a stud. A castrated stallion is commonly called a gelding. Formerly, stallions were employed as riding horses, while mares were kept for breeding purposes only. Geldings were used for work and as…
Read More

ashvamedha
An especially fine stallion was selected and was allowed to roam freely for a year under the protection of a royal guard. If the horse entered a foreign country, its ruler had either to fight or to submit. If the horse was not captured during the year, it…
Read More
An especially fine stallion was selected and was allowed to roam freely for a year under the protection of a royal guard. If the horse entered a foreign country, its ruler had either to fight or to submit. If the horse was not captured during the year, it…
Read More