cutting horse

American  

noun

1. a saddle horse trained to separate calves, steers, etc., from a herd.

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cutting horse British  

noun

1. a saddle horse trained for use in separating an individual animal, such as a cow, from a herd

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Etymology

Origin of cutting horse

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Texas has made available about $263 million since 2015 to help cities cover the costs of dozens of events, subsidizing everything from a Super Bowl to Junior Olympics and cutting horse competitions.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

Since you are cutting horse racing coverage in print, would you consider making horse racing stories outside the paywall?

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2019

After the cutting horse stakes in December, crews scoop out the sand and then remove the clay and sandy loam base, Slaughter said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2019

Then the New Jersey native hired a cutting horse expert to do a demonstration for friends and he hopped on and gave it a try.

From Washington Times • May 10, 2015

Josiah had borrowed Ulibarri’s big palomino horse, the one Ulibarri claimed was a brother to the champion cutting horse at the State Fair.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko