Crossword Genius

Hitch to small horse (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

snag

'hitch' is the definition.
(I know that snag is a more specific form of the action hitch)

'small horse' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'horse' becomes 'nag' (term for an old horse).
's'+'nag'='SNAG'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for snag that I've seen before include "Complication, drawback" , "Hidden obstacle or catch" , "Hitch, unexpected problem" , "ladder" , "Hitch, obstacle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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