In cowboy slang, "fork a horse" refers to the act of mounting or getting on a horse. The term "fork" is used to describe the action of swinging one's leg over the horse's back and settling into the saddle, which is often shaped like a fork. This slang term is commonly used among cowboys and horseback riders to describe the process of getting on a horse before riding.
A horse is a "hay burner".
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This was what a cowboy called corned beef. The insinuation was that it was as tough as horse meat.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This was another term for spurs. You dug into your horse with them.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This means thrown from your horse. You landed in the grass.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This one means to cost. A cowboy might say "That horse stands me in a hundred dollars."
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! These were spurs. You used them to hook your horse's gut.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This was an adjective. It meant "very" or "exceedingly." A cowboy might say "That's a thundering good horse."
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This one means to go away. The image is of a cowboy slinging his bedroll onto his horse and leaving.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This one compares a horse to a six-gun. A six-shooter horse is a very fast one.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This meant to beat or trounce soundly. The image is of a horse lathered with sweat.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This one means a wild or spirited horse. You can see the image of the horse sniffing and snuffling to figure out what's going on.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This was another description for a horse. A bangtail was similar to a broom-tail. It was a wild mustang.