pack animal

a mule, donkey, burro, or horse bred for vigor and hardiness and used for carrying heavy loads.

Origin of pack animal

First recorded in 1840–50

It took several minutes precarious work to get the pack-animal to his feet and freshly tethered.

Dust of the Desert |Robert Welles Ritchie
He owned his own horse and blankets, sometimes also a pack-animal.

The Fighting Edge |William MacLeod Raine
The Indians were concerned only lest some pack-animal should fall in midstream.

Mystery Ranch |Arthur Chapman
But, Mr. Ermine, how should I transport my heads back to this point with only one pack-animal?

John Ermine of the Yellowstone |Frederic Remington

But being a true son of the open, he wanted to see the country; so he decided to travel horseback, with a pack-animal.

Partners of Chance |Henry Herbert Knibbs

pack animal

an animal, such as a donkey, used to transport goods, equipment, etc