pole horse

American

noun

a horse harnessed to the tongue of a vehicle; poler; wheeler.

pole horse British

noun

Also called: poler. a horse harnessed alongside the shaft (pole) of a vehicle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pole horse

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was apparent that three drivers with bad scoring positions were trying to tire Gauntlet, the pole horse.

From Time Magazine Archive

The postilion started the horses, the off pole horse tugged at his collar, the high springs creaked, and the body of the coach swayed.

From War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo, graf

I've scored at will, I've scored by the pole horse and I've laid up a heat or two; but I want to get on my stride and face the wire agoing square.

From Jimmie Moore of Bucktown by Trotter, Melvin Earnest

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023