rural translations

There is a multitude of words derived from ‘horse’ and ‘cow’ in different languages. And it seems very unfair that despite the usefulness of cattle a variety of cow-related insults have developed whereas many of the horse-related words are complimentary! A good example is the Spanish word ‘caballero’ which literally translates as ‘horseman’, but is really understood to mean ‘gentleman’.

I would like to add more horse-related words to the following lists so if you can suggest any additions or corrections I’d appreciate it if you let me know.

‘A Million Acre Masterpiece’ has 13 chapters and the second largest chapter concerns Australian stock horses.

The book contains more than 200 images, almost half of which are images of stock horses working and relaxing.

View book details »

Words for ‘horse’ in other languages:

Word for Horse	Language & Country
(le) ‘cheval’	French (France)
(o) ‘cavalo’	Portugese (Portugal)
(il) ‘cavallo’	Italian (Italy)
(el) ‘cavall’	Catalan (Spain and southern France)
(el) ‘caballo’	Spanish (Spain, Argentina)
‘pferd’	German (Germany)
‘paard’	Flemish (Belgium)
‘paard’	Dutch (Netherlands)
‘perd’	Afrikaans (South Africa)
‘hevonen’	Finnish (Finland)
‘häst’	Swedish (Sweden)
‘hest’	Danish (Denmark) & Norwegian (Norway)
‘hestur’	Icelandic (Iceland)
‘lò’	Hungarian (Hungary)
‘cal’	Romanian (Romania)
‘kòn’	Polish (Poland)
‘kon’ (koHb)	Belarussian (Belarus) & Russian (Russia)
‘konj’ (koHb)	Macedonian (Macedonia), Serbian (Serbia), Croatian (Croatia), Bosnian (Bosnia) & Slovenian (Slovenia)
‘kon’ (koH)	Bulgarian (Bulgaria)
‘kin’ (kiHb)	Ukranian (Ukraine)
‘beygir’	Turkish (Turkey)
‘capall’	Irish (Ireland)
‘ceffyl’	Welsh (Wales)
‘cuddy’	Scottish (Scotland)
‘yarraman’	Aboriginal (Australia); Barkly Tableland region of NT

Other Horse-related Words Used on Cattle Stations (Ranches):

Station mustering horses carer

Person in charge of looking after the station mustering horses currently being used (for example, tails the horses out onto good feed each day):

• ‘horsetailer’ – Australia
• ‘wrangler’ – U.S.
• ‘petisero’ – Argentina (young boy who looks after horses)
• ‘caverango’ – Some South American countries (Spanish speaking)
• ‘remudero’ – Mexico (not a direct translation; it is Spanish for a young boy who looks after horses)

The mob of horses currently in use by the stockmen:

• ‘horse plant’ – Australia
• ‘caviata/caviada’, ‘cavvy’ and ‘remuda’ – U.S.
• ‘remuda’ – Canada
• ‘tropilla’ – Argentina (group of horses used for work)
• ‘caballada’, ‘cavallard’ (band of saddle horses) – South America (Spanish speaking)

The horses (usually 3 or 4) being used on a rotational basis by each individual stockman:

• ‘string’ – Australia
• ‘string’ and ‘bunch’ – U.S.

Person who trains young horses so they are able to be ridden:

• ‘horse breaker’ – Australia
• ‘bronco buster’ – U.S.
• ‘domador’ – Argentina

Wild horses:

• ‘brumby’ – Australia
• ‘mustang’ and ‘bronco’ – U.S.
• ‘bronco’ – Mexico
• ‘potro’ – Argentina
• ‘mesteno’ – some South American countries (Spanish speaking)

Horse gaits:

• Second gear:
• ‘trot’ – Australia, England
• ‘jog’ – U.S.
• Third gear:
• ‘canter’ – Australia, England
• ‘lope’ – U.S.

Horsefloat (carries two or three horses and is towed behind a vehicle):

• ‘horse float’ – Australia, England
• ‘horse trailer’ – U.S., Canada, Argentina