What does «tropilla» mean in Spanish?
- A herd of horses led by a mare godmother and cared for by a herdsman. The herd does not usually exceed 15 animals and it is considered best if they are "of the same hair", that is, of similar morphological characteristics and the same coat and color. The tropillas are made up of castrated male horses of similar type and color, led by a tame mare called "madrina" (godmother), to which a cowbell is attached. The sound of the bell must be different from the others so as not to confuse the horses.
♦ Used in: Argentina
Examples of use in Spanish: "muy pobre era el gaucho que no poseía al menos una tropilla de caballos".
"eran el orgullo del hombre de campo de tener una tropilla de un solo pelo".
"las tropillas siempre son de caballos machos con una yegua".
"Una tropilla, exclusivamente compuesta por bayos, pastaba tranquilamente".
- Herd of other animals such as mules, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, guanacos, etc.
- Each of the animals that make up the herd.
Examples of use in Spanish: "el público vio el manso trotar de ocho tropillas tras la yegua madrina".
- (entrevero de tropillas) Tradition of certain gaucho festivals where different tropillas (herds) are mixed at a gallop and then separated again, raising an important commotion and demonstrating gaucho dexterity.