Definition

Noun: A horse that has been specifically trained for use in military cavalry units during battle. This training prepares the horse to remain calm amidst the chaos of combat, respond to commands, and carry a soldier and equipment.

Usage

This term refers specifically to the animal itself, not the rider or the unit. It is used in historical and military contexts. - The museum displayed the saddle and bridle of a 19th-century cavalry horse. - The general's trusted cavalry horse was wounded in the final charge.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is most commonly associated with periods before mechanized warfare, such as the Napoleonic Wars or the American Civil War.
  • The painting depicted a line of cavalry horses waiting for the order to advance.

Variants and Related Words

• Warhorse (noun): A horse used in war; this is a broader, often more general term that can include cavalry horses, draft horses pulling artillery, and others.
  • The old veteran was as steady as a warhorse.

Synonyms

• Charger (noun): A horse ridden in battle or tournaments. This is a more formal or literary synonym.
  • The knight mounted his charger.

Related Phrases

• Mount (noun): In military context, an animal, especially a horse, used for riding.
  • The soldier checked his mount before the patrol.

Noun

1. horse trained for battle