Animal in stable sounded croaky (6)
I believe the answer is:
hoarse
'croaky' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hoarse that I've seen before include "With strained voice" , "Husky (from cold)" , "'Husky, gruff (6)'" , "(Of voice) rough, harsh" , "A horse with croaking voice" .)