hardmouthed

[ hahrd-mouthd, -moutht ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a horse not sensitive to the pressure of a bit.
2. stubborn; obstinate; self-willed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hardmouthed¹

First recorded in 1610–20; hard + mouth + -ed ³

Example Sentences

“Now, Sewell’s shore one of them long-eared critters–hardmouthed, and goin’ ahaid like blazes whenever you wanted him to come short; then, again, balkin’ till it’s a case of grandfather’s clock, and you git to thinkin’ that ’fore 277 he’ll move on he’ll plumb drop in his tracks.

From Project Gutenberg

He had generally well-bred horses, or as I would now call them, ponies; if he had not, his sufferings from a dull, hardmouthed, heavy-hearted and footed, plebeian horse were almost comic.

From Project Gutenberg