Do you know what "dude" means in horse language?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (227382)
Walnut Creek, California
October 4, 2023 10:33am CST
When I was young, and in human incarnation, "dude" meant "a guy." It was hippy-influenced language, I am quite sure. It could be positive, as in "He's a cool dude." And it could be negative, as in "Man, he's one messed up dude."
But in horse language, "dude" means "someone who is riding a horse, but is inexperienced with horses." I recently read that to old cowboys, it referred more specifically to someone from the East Coast who came West for a "rustic experience." I bet it's where the term "Dude Ranch" came from.
When I worked as a "wrangler" in Montana, we called the tourists who wanted a trail ride "dudes." Our horses were trained to go nose to tail, so inexperienced riders could be safe. In those days (the '80s), "dude" could have slightly negative connotations to horse people, as in "He's such a dude" in reference to someone who thinks they know how to ride but really doesn't.
Do you hear the word "dude" these days? Is/was it used where you live? This your daily lesson in English slang from a horse.
16 people like this
13 responses
@Marilynda1225 (84879)
• United States
4 Oct 23
I familiar with the term "dude" but not from a horses standpoint. Interesting post and I bet it is how "dude ranch" came to be.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (43664)
• United States
4 Oct 23
Very interesting! My sister was the horse person in the family (she used to break ponies for a neighbor farmer.) I never liked horses, but of course that doesn't include you.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (43664)
• United States
4 Oct 23
@TheHorse I'd be a dudette! I was always the girly girl and she was always climbing trees.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (227382)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Oct 23
@1creekgirl Heh. I DO use the term "dudette," even in classes sometimes. I hope that's not too "politically incorrect" for the 2020s.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164031)
• United States
5 Oct 23
I am old enough that that is a familiar term both on the street and on the ranch.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (190512)
• United States
5 Oct 23
We don't hear dude here in the Midwest. Thanks for the info and have a good day.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (175478)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Oct 23
I do hear the name occasionally and use it myself. I've heard the expression "dude" as a fancy guy too.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (175478)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Oct 23
@TheHorse ........That's a good one.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (227382)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 23
@celticeagle Yep. I like it I'm adding it to my lexicon.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47976)
• India
4 Oct 23
Dude word was more in use during early 2000s.
Now it's more of Guys, Folks and even "People/Peoples".
But this Horse terminology is a new one to me.
A good share on the whole.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (117193)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Oct 23
I have heard it both ways you explained it
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (85720)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Oct 23
That is very interesting, I have always loved horses rode only once but always made sure to have photos taken when around horses, Just me and the horse,
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