rough rider

plural rough riders

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: Something, such as a steam locomotive, that does not travel smoothly when in motion.

   It is common knowledge that the Stanier Class 5 4-6-0s can be very rough riders at speed, owing to "knock" in the trailing left-hand axlebox, and this tendency would be eased with any lengthening of the cut-off.

   1962 June, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Modern Railways, page 398

   1 more example

   because you are full of old festered wounds, you must have corrosive salves, for that is best for you, and the speediest way to recover your health: and forasmuch as you be rough horses, you must have a rough rider, and hard knobby timber must have hard wedges, and hard strokes with a beetle ["mallet"].

   a. 1607, Arthur Dent, A Sermon of Repentaunce. A verie godly and profitable sermon, preached at Lee in Essex. B.L., Thomas Snodham for Roger Jackson, published 1615

2. alternativeAlternative form of roughrider.

   Our best rough-rider had mounted him, with a view of thoroughly "taking it out of him," and I never witnessed a better display of horsemanship.

   1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 77