koník

Koník is a diminutive form of the word for horse in several Slavic languages, notably Czech koník, Slovak koník, and Polish konik. It generally refers to a pony or small horse and can express endearment toward a young or small animal. In everyday use, koník may describe a standard pony used for riding or work, or simply a young horse.

In Czech and Slovak, koník is also widely used as the name of a children's rocking horse. Such toys are common in homes and kindergartens and can be made of wood or fabric, featuring a horse’s head and curved rockers.

In Polish, konik commonly means a pony or small horse. It is also the name of Konik Polski, a small primitive breed kept in Poland and used in conservation and rewilding programs.

The term remains a neutral, everyday label for a small horse in most contexts, contrasting with the more formal koń in Polish and kôň in Slovak and Czech.