expression, ichidan verb
switch from something bad to something good; trade up
Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to change from riding a cow to riding a horse'. Used when abandoning an inferior option for a superior one, often in a strategic or opportunistic context.
They abandoned the unpopular policy and adopted a strategy of switching to a new proposal, like trading a cow for a horse.
あの会社は業績が悪化した部門を売却し、成長分野に牛を馬に乗り換えた。
That company sold off its underperforming division and traded up to a growth sector.