Final answer:
In "Stalag 17," the "horses" represent escape tunnels used by POWs. The code name is vital for discussing escape without raising suspicion. Horses often symbolize freedom or power, aligning with the prisoners' hope for liberation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the movie "Stalag 17," the "horses" are actually a code name used by prisoners of war to refer to escape tunnels. This form of covert communication was necessary to discuss escape plans without alerting the prison guards or military officers. The use of animals as code names or symbols is not new; historically, horses have represented many different things in various contexts, often symbolizing freedom, power, or transport.
For instance, the representation of horses in art and literature has spanned from cave paintings to iconic sculptures and films, reflecting the horse's role in society and human history. While the horses in "Stalag 17" signify the prisoners' hope for freedom and the means to achieve it, representations of horses in other contexts, like in the works mentioned by LibreTexts™, might indicate the importance of the horse in warfare, travel, or spiritual symbolism.