cold back

plural cold backs

1. alternativecountableuncountableAlternative form of cold-back.

   Some horses and ponies have "cold backs" or are "cinchy."

   1993, Judy Richter, Philip Richter, Pony Talk: A Complete Learning Guide for Young Riders, page 4

   4 more examples

   That last paragraph leads us to a singularly important aspect of the syndrome of cold back.

   1998, James R. Rooney, The Lame Horse, page 198

   The question of whether biting, kicking, rearing, bucking and napping are vices is moot - still more so those horses with headshaking syndrome or cold backs - none of which, the author believes, can truly be described as vices.

   2002, Captain M. Horace Hayes, Roy Knightbridge, Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners, page 814

   Note: in some cases the pain may precede the development of overt lesions and the horse may be presented for a 'cold back ' or saddle resentment.

   2009, Derek C. Knottenbelt, Pascoe's Principles and Practice of Equine Dermatology

   The signs of a cold back are usually exhibited when the saddle is put on, the girth tightened or as the rider mounts.

   2013, Kenneth W Hinchcliff, Andris J. Kaneps, Raymond J. Geor, Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, page 428

2. countableuncountableUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cold, back.

1. alternativenot comparableAlternative form of cold-back.

   I had learned by then to hog it out with most cold back horses but knew little of real breaking.

   2004, Bruce Kiskaddon, Katherine Field, Bill Siems, Shorty's yarns: western stories and poems of Bruce Kiskaddon, page 4

   1 more example

   Horses will resent tacking up and might have violent reactions similar to those seen on a 'cold back' horse.

   2018, Frances M. D. Henson, Equine Neck and Back Pathology: Diagnosis and Treatment, page 226