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cheval savant

English translation: performing horse

13:54 May 8, 2006
French to English translations [PRO]
Zoology / horses - equine sports and shows
French term or phrase: cheval savant
this is a term I've come across in French, in the context of horse shows/exhibitions as well as individual horses that have been trained to give answers to questions, for example.
I am looking for the equivalent term in English, if anybody is familiar with this phenomenon.
Debbie Tacium Ladry
Local time: 21:00
English translation:performing horse
Explanation:
PERFORMING HORSES. Horses of the Screen Circus Horses. JAY TRUMP, THE ACE TRUMP ... The Show Stealers Have Always Been the Performing Horses ...
www.imh.org/imh/kyhpl6c.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages

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Note added at 4 mins (2006-05-08 13:59:04 GMT)
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like a "performing bear" ... can do tricks, respond to instructions, etc.

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Note added at 11 mins (2006-05-08 14:05:16 GMT)
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there may be a more precise term but "performing" would convey the meaning I would say ....
Selected response from:

David Hollywood
Local time: 22:00
Grading comment
Yes, I think this is the best description. Thanks very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4performing horse
David Hollywood
3 +3(the amazing) counting horse
Gabrielle Lyons
4clever/cunning horse
Rachel Davenport
4a trick horse
Lewina Giles (X)


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
(the amazing) counting horse


Explanation:
Might be what you are looking for.
Nod once for yes, and twice for no ;-)

"The amazing "counting horse" solved simple math problems and tapped out the answer with his hoof. Even when his trainer was removed he got the answers right ..."
members.bellatlantic.net/~lilbun/special.html -

Gabrielle Lyons
Local time: 02:00
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Hollywood: sounds great if it's restricted to counting
8 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Julie Barber: can it use a calculator too? :)) not too sure that I agree with this answer but I'll go along with it anyway.....as it's cheered me up in the office....
14 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Cetacea: "cheval savant" is used to refer to Clever Hans. He only succeeded when there was someone in the audience who knew the answers. It turns out the horse was picking up on tiny, unconscious nods that people were making as they counted the hoof taps.
38 mins
  -> thanks
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3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
performing horse


Explanation:
PERFORMING HORSES. Horses of the Screen Circus Horses. JAY TRUMP, THE ACE TRUMP ... The Show Stealers Have Always Been the Performing Horses ...
www.imh.org/imh/kyhpl6c.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2006-05-08 13:59:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

like a "performing bear" ... can do tricks, respond to instructions, etc.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2006-05-08 14:05:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

there may be a more precise term but "performing" would convey the meaning I would say ....

David Hollywood
Local time: 22:00
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Yes, I think this is the best description. Thanks very much!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  sporran
4 hrs
  -> thanks sporran :)
agree  mportal: this gives the idea of being highly trained, as in the circus, so if that is what is being referred to...
5 hrs
  -> thanks mportal :)
agree  Cervin
8 hrs
  -> thanks Cervin :)
agree  Bourth (X): Like "performing monkeys" too, even if horses can perform in ways that monkeys, bears or dolphins too generally can't, i.e. we don't race THEM.
9 hrs
  -> thanks Bourth :)
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
clever/cunning horse


Explanation:
why not just keep it simple? I think it describes it well

Rachel Davenport
France
Local time: 03:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Julie Barber: clever OK, but cunning makes him (or it) sound sneaky.....
3 hrs
neutral  mportal: I think the point is that the horse has been trained (and may also be clever)
4 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
a trick horse


Explanation:
along the lines of 'trick rider' ?
http://www.centreequestrebromont.com/intbromont/galerie/gale...

Lewina Giles (X)
Canada
Local time: 21:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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