What is a Group of Horses Called?

Whether you’re a casual rider or a wildlife enthusiast, you’ve likely looked at a gathering of equines and wondered, what is a group of horses called? While most people reach for the word herd, the English language offers a much more colorful palette. 

According to the 2025 Global Equine Census, there are now approximately 60 million horses worldwide, and how we describe them depends entirely on their setting. 

From a stable of domesticated pets to a string of high-performance racehorses, the terms reflect a deep-seated history between humans and horses. 

In this article, we’ll move beyond the common flock of horses mistake and dive into the specific vocabulary used by experts today.

What is a Group of Horses Called in English?

The most versatile and common term for a group of horses is called a herd. This describes a large group of horses living, grazing, or moving together. However, if the horses are kept specifically for breeding on a farm, the term harras is often used.

You might also hear the word stud in professional circles. This word refers to a group of horses that are kept at a certain place for breeding. In the military or police, a group of working horses is called a troop. 

Grammar Monster says that horses are herd animals because they have a strict social order, even though a lot of people address the group of horses as a flock instead.

What is a Group of Wild Horses Called?

When observing horses in their natural habitat, such as the Mustangs of the American West or the Brumbies in Australia, the term band is most accurate. A band is a smaller, more close-knit group of people within a larger group.

Most of the time, these groups are set up like a harem, with one dominant stallion, several mares, and their young. 

You may also encounter a bachelor band, which is a group of young male horses who have not yet formed their own harems. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released data from 2025 that shows these bands are very important for keeping predators away. 

What is a Group of Female Horses Called? 

A specific group of female horses is often referred to as a stud of mares when they are kept for breeding. If the group consists specifically of young females under the age of four, they are known as a group of fillies.

Interestingly, the social structure of a female-led group is matriarchal. While the stallion protects from external threats, it is the lead mare who determines the herd's movement toward water and grazing spots. 

This behavioral trait is a major focus for equine psychologists in 2026 because it shows how smart and socially complex the alpha female is.

Also Read - What is a Group of Owls Called?

Other Collective Nouns for a Flock of Horses

You shouldn't use the word flock for their herd all the time; here are the right collective nouns for certain groups of horses:

• String: A group of horses owned by one person or a group of racehorses in training.

• Team: Two or more horses harnessed together to pull a vehicle or plow.

• Remuda: A Western term for a group of spare horses used on a ranch.

• Rag or Rake: A rare, traditional collective noun for a group of young colts.

• Field: Used in horse racing to describe all the horses participating in a single race.

Fun Facts about Horses and Their Groups

Here are some more interesting facts about horses and how they are different from other animals that you might not know: 

• Panoramic Vision: Horses can see almost all the way around them because their eyes are on the sides of their heads.

• Social Napping: Horses in a herd take turns sleeping. At least one horse stays awake to keep an eye on the others.

• No Burping: Because of their unique digestive system, horses cannot breathe through their mouths or burp.

• Fast Foals: Within just two to three hours of birth, a foal can run alongside its mother to keep up with the band.

• Standing Sleep: Thanks to a stay apparatus in their legs, horses can lock their joints and sleep comfortably while standing up.

• Emotional Intelligence: Scientific studies have proven that horses can recognize and remember human facial expressions for years.

Also Read - What is a Group of Pandas Called? 

In conclusion, it's not enough to know what a group of horses is called; you also need to know how they act around other horses. These animals get along well with other animals, whether they are wild or trained. In recent years, efforts to protect horses have reached a new high. This means that these beautiful animals can still roam our lands.