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

The quality of care in those stages makes the CSU program stand out from other horse breeders, longtime client and champion cutting horse rider, trainer and breeder Lindy Burch said.

From Washington Times • Apr. 30, 2016

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