spring horse

noun4

1. •
   A type of rocking horse that stands on a flat surface and moves by means of springs which attach the horse figure to its framework.

   • The original spring horse in a de luxe model with copper base that offers the body-building benefits of rocking action. — 1959
2. •
   A piece of playground equipment consisting of a sturdy spring on which is mounted a figure, usually of a horse, on which a child sits and rocks.

   • I want to ride fast. I want to ride slow. I will ride a spring horse. — 2014
3. •
   A racehorse that performs best on soft ground such as occurs in the spring.

   • I am beginning to fancy that Sceptre is not a spring horse . — 1903
4. •
   A trestle on which is mounted a metal plate that is held down at both ends and attached by a screw in the center that adjusts the tension of the plate, used for making or repairing springs.

   • To obtain satisfactory results, particularly with automobile springs, a spring horse, such as illustrated at Fig. 1, will be of value. — 1916