Hitching posts are wooden posts that are used to tie horses or other animals to, usually in a stable or barn. They are also used to tether animals in fields or pastures. The term 'hitching posts' is often used interchangeably with the term 'altars', which is a six-letter word that can be used to solve the crossword puzzle. Altars are typically found in religious settings and are used as a place to make offerings or sacrifices.