A stock horse is a horse of a type that is well suited for working with livestock, particularly cattle .. such horses are characterized by agility, quickness, and powerful hindquarters, and are usually noted for their intelligence and cow sense, having an instinctive understanding of how to respond to the movement of cattle, so as to move livestock in a desired manner with minimal or no guidance from their rider .. such horses were, and are, used both as working animals on livestock ranches, rodeo's, and just for general transportation..