Skittish.

Of horses, etc.: Disposed or apt to start or be unruly without sufficient cause; given to shying or restiveness through high spirits or playfulness…

Of horses: inclined to shy; skittish, mettlesome, spirited.

Of a horse: spirited, mettlesome.

Of a horse: lively, prancing. Obsolete.

Full of spirit. Of an animal (formerly esp. a horse): lively, energetic; high-spirited; playful. Cf. spirited, adj. 2b.

Chiefly of a horse: fiery, spirited.

= mettlesome, adj.

(attributive). Spirited, feisty; lively, eager, willing. Also: brave, courageous. In later use Scottish and English regional (northern). Obsolete.

breathing fire from the nose.

Of an animal, esp. a horse: = mettlesome, adj. 1b. Also in extended use.

Energetic, lively, vivacious. Cf. sprightly, adj. I. Now rare.

Of an animal, esp. a horse: full of animation and vigour; mettlesome. Cf. spirited, adj. 2b. Obsolete.

Of an animal, esp. a horse: lively, eager, spirited, frisky.

somewhat skittish.

Of a horse: Skittish.

Spirited; dashing; full of vigour. Now used esp. of horses.

Of horses: skittish.

Inclined to buck; hence, high-spirited, in good fettle (slang, of persons).

Of cattle or horses: excitable, spirited, wild.