Foals and Pony are not different animals but they are horses. These are different names given to horses according to how big they have grown up in terms of height. Other such differences between them are visible. The food that they eat and the activities that these animals do are also different.
Foal vs Pony
The main difference between Foal and Pony is that Foal is a horse that is just a baby and Pony is a smaller horse that is yet to be an adult horse. A Foal still drinks milk from the mother. But a Pony does not drink milk from its mother as it is a little older than a Pony it can be independent
A foal is a horse but it is a baby horse. It is a member of the equine family. Horses, Donkeys, Zebras and other animals like the asses belong to this family. The foal has two usages, firstly it is used for a baby horse and secondly, it is used for a baby donkey.
A pony is a horse that is smaller in size when compared to a horse. There are different types of pony just like there are different types of horses. They are used for various purposes from time immemorial. They have played a vital role during the industrial revolution. Pony can also be called a horse which is immature.
Comparison Table Between Foal and Pony
| Parameters of Comparison | Foal | Pony |
| Difference in Age | It is a one-year-old horse and it is called a foul | A pony is a horse that is more than a year old |
| Size | A foal is smaller in size when compared to a pony or a horse | A pony is 158 inches tall |
| Texture of coat | A foal’s coat is smooth | A pony’s coat is a little rough and thick |
| Legs | A foals legs are thin in size | A pony’s leg is thicker in size |
| Food | They drink milk from their mother | They graze grass |
What is Foal?
A foul is a horse that is a just born baby. It is called a foul from zero to four years of age as well. A male foul is called a “colt” and a female foal is called “filly”. When a foal still drinks milk from its mother, this period is called ” suckling”. In the next stage, the foul is called “wearing”.
Weaning is a stage when the Foul stops drinking milk from its mother. ” Yearling” is another term when the Foul is one year old it is called a yearling. Foals have legs that are extremely thin and long as well. They can be physically differentiated from a pony and a horse.
When a foul is more than three years it is called a Stallion. When these horses mature their terms are different. The foal is matured in the horse womb for about eleven months. The labour of the horse can go up to a day. These foals can gain weight from two to three kgs per day.
The foul gets all the nutrients it needs from the milk that it receives from its mother. If a foul is healthy then they can grow quicker and stronger. When a foul is ten days old it starts to eat solids.
What is Pony?
A pony is a horse that is not yet matured as an adult horse. It is smaller in size when compared to an adult horse. A pony’s coat is very thick and a little rough. There are various types of ponies as there are various kinds of horses. These Ponies are utilised for various purposes.
A pony can be used for riding. Children or anyone who begins to learn horse riding can start with a pony. Ponies were widely utilized during the industrial revolution. They were used as “pit ponies”. Pit Ponies are horses that were used in mining to carry loads and other works.
Ponies can be friendly and stubborn as well. Ponies are generally used for riding and as “pack beasts”. Pack beasts mean where these horses were used to carry loads from place to place. These Ponies are widely used in Great Britain. A pony is about 52 inches from its shoulders.
Main Differences Between Foal and Pony
- A foal is considered to be a baby horse. It is a newborn and even up to a year, it is called a foul. A pony is yet to be a mature horse. It is not as talk, huge and strong as a horse.
- A foal has a coat that is very soft and its fur is not stiff and strong. A pony has a coat that is a little rough and very thick.
- A foal drinks milk from its mother. It starts to eat solid ten days later. A pony doesn’t drink milk from its mother, it grazes on grass.
- A foal is smaller in size. Its legs are longer, tender and thinner. A pony’s legs are smaller and it’s much thicker when compared to a foal.
- A foal is dependent and stays with the mother. A pony is not dependent and unlike a foal, it does not stay with its mother.
Conclusion
Fouls and Ponies are the same members of the family. They are not different animals. They are horses. But a horse is also sometimes called a pony as a nickname. There are a wide variety of horses. These animals are not just used for riding but also to carry weights from place to place.
There are about four hundred different species of horses around the globe. Akhal- Teke breed is the fastest horse breed. Horses were predominantly used in the war back in the early years. But now it’s used for other purposes where even horse riding has become a hobby.
References
- https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/48/3/480/4700979
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/archaea/2014/483574/
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