Horse thief

Horse thief

A Horse thief is a person who steals horses. The label historically carries negative connotations of guile and depredation approximating the same weight of evil as a kidnapper or swindler.

History

USA

The term horse thief came into great popularity in the USA during the 19th century. During that time the Great Plains states, Texas, and other western states were sparsely populated and negligibly policed. [] As farmers tilled the land and migrants headed west through the Great Plains their horses became subject to theft. Since these farmers and migrants depended on their horses, horse thieves garnered a particularly pernicious reputation because they left their victims helpless or greatly handicapped by the loss of their horses. The victims needed their horses for transportation and farming. Such depredation led to the use of the term horse thief as an insult, one that conveys the impression of the insulted person as one lacking any shred of moral decency.

Present Day

Horse thief is no longer in common usage and may in fact contain humorous connotations when used due to being anachronistic.In the state of Texas if you steal a horse or any cattle it is still a hanging offence.

ee also

*Anti Horse Thief Association
*The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves

Footnotes


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