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

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

It’ll host the Mustang Magic riding show, annual cutting horse stakes and a full calendar of horse shows.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2019

But participation at cutting horse events has stabilized in recent years, Campbell said, and prices at horse sales have increased with the rebounding economy and a smaller supply of horses.

From Washington Times • May 10, 2015

New Zealanders developed a technique for shooting nets over deer from a helicopter, in which the pilot flies the way a cowboy rides a cutting horse.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 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