noun
- ropes or chains used to hobble the hind legs of a horse or cow
Usage: archaic; farming
Examples
- The farmer used spancels to prevent the cattle from wandering too far.
- Old spancels hung in the barn as reminders of traditional farming methods.
- The horse was secured with spancels while grazing in the field.
- Leather spancels were more comfortable for the animals than rope ones.
- He learned to tie spancels from his grandfather who raised livestock.