If you're the proud owner of your new horse or foal, congratulations! You can now have fun figuring out a name for your four-legged friend, which can be a challenging activity. Luckily, wikiHow is here to help you find the best name for your horse.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating Registered Names
The foal must be registered, and to do this you need a registered name. The name can sound beautiful or long; in general, you also need to have a shorter name to call it (see Third Ways for nickname ideas).
Step 1. Consider its type and origin
Often, horse breed registrations have rules or guidelines for registered horse names. Do an online search for any rules that might have an effect on naming your foal breed. (For the rules for naming thoroughbred racehorses, see Method Three).
Step 2. Many stables and breeders use prefixes for the names of the horses they breed
Don't take the risk of using their name without permission! The names of registered horses may be taken from the names of their fathers and mothers. You can find sources of registered horse names online.
Step 3. Know the traditions that follow when naming horses
Consider taking your horse's registered name from the horse's parent's registered name. In horse breeding, lineage matters a lot. Of course, naming your horse after his mother or father can have sentimental value.
Cabot French Pepper and KVA Hi Time, for example, can result in a foal being named SP Peppertime (in this case, 'Cabot,' 'KVA,' and 'SP' are prefix names used specifically by breeders for their foals)
Step 4. Create your own creation name
If you don't really care about naming your foal from, consider creating your own. Some of the factors you should consider when naming your horse include its look, personality, and what you hope your horse will do.
- Appearance: Does your horse have any unique markings, or is it a beautiful color that deserves a name for it? For a horse with a white streak under its forehead (known as blaze) you might consider naming it Wild Fire or When Lightning Strikes.
- Personality: Is your horse affectionate, wild, or fierce? Friendly horses can be called Honey, wild horses are called Midnight Madness, and fierce ones are called GrumpsMcGee.
- Occupation: Is your horse going to the races? Shown in the parade? Giving rides for the kids? Think about what your horse will do. If you want to get your horse into a race, give him an attention-grabbing name like Dream Supreme.
Step 5. Fill out the registration application
If you are a stallion owner, you will receive a registration application in the mail when you breed your stallion. If you don't have an app like this, you can find a downloadable version online. Information you will need to know to fill out this form includes:
- Breeding date
- How to breed
- Embryo transfer number and date
- Mother's name and/or registration number
- Recent breeding reports
- The description of the foal includes 5 photos
- Six choices of foal names
- Other foal information
- Tax ID or Social Security number
Step 6. Take note when the horse's registered name has been determined
This is when the horse is registered with the breeding organization; be careful not to change the name of a registered horse if it already exists – most organizations won't like it.
Method 2 of 3: Finding Nickname
A horse's nickname is the name you'll use to call it on a daily basis; i.e. an informal short name or something. You can choose your horse's nickname as you like – there are no rules for this.
Step 1. Look at the horse's registered name
Many horses will receive a nickname that is a shortened version of their registered name. Try other ways to shorten your foal's registered name. Choose something that is easy to say.
For example, 'ABC A Hot Summer Night' might be shortened to Night or Summer
Step 2. Get to know your horse
Watch his behavior to determine possible names. Is he a fighting horse? Does he like carrots? Don't feel limited in the names of people in general; horses often receive quite unique nicknames such as 007, Chubby, and BB.
Step 3. Take inspiration from a movie, book, or TV show
Maybe you have a favorite horse in the movies that you've always loved (like The Horse of Different Colors in The Wizard of Oz). Go on a quest for famous horses on TV shows, or horses that have played a role in history.
For example, the horse that Paul Revere rode on his midnight ride was named Brown Beauty. Sampson is the tallest horse name ever in history, and Beau is John Wayne's horse in the movie True Grit
Step 4. Let your horse help decide
Horses often get nicknames for themselves – short names, for example, can result in nicknames, or from silly things they do. Try to come up with a name that fits his personality or appearance - "Snuggles" for a friendly horse, or "Blaze" for a horse with a burning passion.
Step 5. Go to baby names sites
Even though the site is meant for humans, you might find an interesting name for your horse there! Baby names books are another option. Most importantly, use your imagination! Don't ignore silly ideas; this is your horse anyway.
Method 3 of 3: Naming a Pure-breed Race Horse
Step 1. Do not choose a name that exceeds 18 letters
In the case of purebred horse names, spaces and punctuation count as letters so you can only have 18 characters in total. For example, ThereAndBackAgain! is an acceptable name because it has 18 characters, but There And Back Again! no because it has 21 characters (including spaces).
Step 2. Avoid names that might be considered vulgar or offensive
While this may seem obvious, what isn't vulgar or offensive to you may seem offensive to someone else. Double-check to see that the name you choose does not have offensive connotations towards any religious, political or ethnic group, or is vulgar in any way.
For example, The Great Farter may be a funny name to you, but it may be considered vulgar by others, or it may be seen as an insulting satire to God
Step 3. Know other name categories to avoid
Purebred race horses are not allowed to have names consisting of initials; they must not have names that clearly promote commercial or artistic purposes; and they should not be named after a living person unless there is written confirmation from that person saying that it does not matter.
Step 4. Don't consider naming your horse after a historic winner
Any horse that has won a major race will have its name retired forever. However, the names of other horses that have not won a major race can be used again.
For example, you shouldn't name your racehorse Seabiscuit, although you could try naming the horse Seabisquick or some other pun on famous horse names
Step 5. Choose a name that sounds great when shouted by hundreds of adoring fans for your horse
If you want your racehorse to become a star, you're going to need a name that makes sense to fans (and bettors). For this reason, it is better to choose a shorter name, even if a catchy name is not bad either. There is a very charming impression when mentioning Ruffian's name (which may be the reason why Ruffian is the best female racing foal).
Step 6. Be prepared to explain your horse's name if it doesn't sound too obvious
The Jockey Club, which is the organization authorized to record and approve racehorse names, may require you to explain the name if it's not very clear.
For example, the Triple Crown winner in 1977, Seattle Slew, was named after the owner's hometown-Seattle, and the word "swamp" in Florida is called 'slew'
Tips
- Things in books, especially fiction about horses, that talk about horse care, training, and so on may not be entirely true and relevant for your horse. Discuss with experienced people before trying to care for and train a horse.
- Remember, no matter how much you involve other people in the process of naming and familiarizing your horse, everything about your relationship with that horse should be your decision. You should always take other people's advice as suggestions, not orders.
