Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Horse

Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Horse

Choosing a name for your companion is not an easy task for the owner. And it’s not surprising because the meaning of a name is as great for its self-determination as for a human. It’s especially difficult for horse owners. So let’s plunge into nuts and bolt of picking the proper name for a hooved friend.

Choosing a name for a sport horse

Sport horses are named according to a special scheme. Depending on the type of equestrian activity - fox hunting or sidesaddle riding

• your companion performs, you can get a variety of options. Remember, if a foal is born from titled equines, then its name should reflect the names of its parents. There’s an immutable rule when choosing a horse name: the first letter in the foal’s name is the first letter from its mother’s name, and in the middle is the first letter from his father’s name.

For instance, the mare’s name is Hakassia and the stallion is Fabor. A newborn filly can get the name Halfia, and the little stallion is Hafir. Please note that if the parents are champions of equestrian sports and have a good pedigree, then the foal can also receive a double, triple name, which is fixed in special documents.

Basic rules to consider

Choosing a name for a horse mainly depends on a couple of aspects:

• whether the animal is a representative of the breeding line;

• whether it’s going to take part in various equestrian sports (dressage, show jumping, triathlon), in tests of breeds (horse races, running), or at exhibitions.

Why these two aspects? For equines participating in breeding or in international and regional competitions, there’s a special procedure for choosing a name. If the animal will perform as a class horse or a working horse (to be driven, for example), then the choice of a name is based on the following factors:

1. The characteristics. The owner should take a close look at his stallion or filly. Think of some distinguishing features of your hooved companion. If the pet has an unusual mousy color or beautiful white "socks" on its legs, this can be reflected when choosing a name.

2. The breed. We also pay attention to the breed of the horse. The Orlov Trotter or the Friesian shouldn’t be called the usual name like Pinky or Winter. But for the representative of the local breed, it is perfect. The size of the animal can also serve as a basis for choosing a name. If the pet is much larger than the rest of the foals, tall and active, the name Giant or Atlas is quite suitable for him.

3. The temperament. This is an important point to be guided by when choosing a name for a horse. The owner of a young foal must pay attention to its behavior. Observe the behavior of the equine when it’s with its mother and other animals at the stable. Timid foals who spend most of their time next to the mare and are afraid of new objects will get along well with the name Bunny or Chic. But for cheerful, easy-going buddies such names as Imp or Chatty are perfect.

Choose special names for tease and lively colts, as well as leading mares, who show themselves as leaders from the first days. Consider such names as Lady, Brawler, Thunderstorm, Thunder, Ferocious, etc. It’s worth reflecting the affectionate disposition of the foals with the names like Gentle, Tenderness, or Lovely. Thus, the only limit is your imagination. Good luck with your choice!

David considers himself a huge fan of horse riding. He believes that we could be better by sharing our experiences. That is why David founded Horsezz – the blog that is dedicated to equestrian sports.