also: だうま
noun
packhorse; workhorse; hack
Refers to a horse used for carrying loads or heavy labor, often implying an ordinary, sturdy animal rather than a fine riding horse. Can also be used figuratively for a dependable but unglamorous worker.
昔、山道では駄馬が荷物を運んでいた。
In the old days, packhorses carried goods along mountain paths.
彼は会社の駄馬のように働いている。
He works like a workhorse for the company.
Compound of 駄 (da, 'burden' or 'poor quality') and 馬 (ba/uma, 'horse'). The reading だば is the standard Sino-Japanese reading; だうま is a rare mixed reading.