A sturdy, agile horse or pony bred and trained for herding cattle and ranch work.
From 'cow' (bovine animal) + 'pony' (a small horse, from French 'poulenet,' diminutive of 'poulain,' young horse). This term reflects the specialized breeding of working animals.
Cowponies, especially Quarter Horses and mustangs, were so intelligent and naturally skilled at cattle work that good ranch horses were valued more than good ranch hands—a really talented cowpony could practically manage cattle without being told what to do.
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