horse age

[osophy_junkie]

I'm trying to find some definitive sources. I seem to remember that all horses are born around the same time, and they get a year older at the beginning of the year.

Ed

[dirty moose]

From wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mare

The estrous cycle, also known as "season" or "heat" of a mare occurs roughly every 19–22 days and occurs from early spring into autumn. As the days shorten, most mares enter an anestrus period during the winter and thus do not cycle in this period. The reproductive cycle in a mare is controlled by the photoperiod (length of the day), the cycle first triggered when the days begin to lengthen. As the days shorten, the mare returns to the anestrus period when she is not sexually receptive. Anestrus prevents the mare from conceiving in the winter months, as that would result in her foaling during the harshest part of the year, a time when it would be most difficult for the foal to survive.

For Thoroughbred's they all turn one year older Jan 1.