A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.
In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old. The word can also be used for other female equine animals, particularly mules and zebras, though a female donkey is usually called a "jenny." A broodmare is a mare used for breeding. A horse's female parent is known as its dam.
An adult male horse is called a stallion, or, if castrated, a gelding. Occasionally the term "horse" is used in a restrictive sense to designate only a male horse.
Read more about Mare: Reproductive Cycle, Behavior, Uses, Etymology
Famous quotes containing the word mare:
“Damn me, what a misery it is to have daughters when a man has a good mare and dogs.”
—John Osborne (1929–1994)
“So, blind to Someone
I must be.”
—Walter De La Mare (1873–1956)
“Who said, ‘All Time’s delight
Hath she for narrow bed;
Life’s troubled bubble broken’?—
That’s what I said.”
—Walter De La Mare (1873–1956)