Welcoming a new horse in the family barn is an exciting event for those who are enthusiastic about this equine companion. There's probably no other species on earth that has earned so much love and respect from humans. Among all the animals from the wild that we have adapted to live with us, horses enjoy a prestige that others can only think of. So, whenever the occasion of naming a horse arrives, you must pay due attention in selecting the most appropriate name for your new stallion or mare. Make sure you don’t goof-up your horse naming by taking into consideration the following tips.

Name reflecting heritage: A name that somehow identifies your horse with its ancestors is one option you may not walk away from. Such naming reflects the history of your horse and makes a statement of heritage. For instance, in naming your Arabian Hamdani stallion, choosing a word with Arab roots, for example Khartoum, would be a nice gesture. This way, you will be honoring his breed along with the powerful stamina and quiet dispositions the Hamdani strain is famous for. Besides, if you happen to know the name of one of the ancestors of the pony you are naming, select a name that bears the same theme. For example, if the great grandfather of your English Exmoor was called “Hunter”, you may name the pony “Predator”.

Distinct name: Usually there are multiple horses in a barn; each horse should have a name that sounds distinct and does not sound similar to another horse’s name. If you want the names to complement each other, that is fine; however, try to focus on a name that best reflects the characteristics of the individual horse. Naming a mare “Wendy” who is always quiet and calm would not sound right. Moreover, any two names should not be too close in their pronunciations; for example, “Albert” and “Colbert” may create confusion, even between the two of them, as to who you are calling.

Restrictions by breed registries: Breed registries usually impose restrictions through rules and regulations in naming horses. The Jockey Club has a long list of criteria for selecting names of horses. A purebred Trakehner has to be named with a word that starts with the same letter as its dam, that’s the rule of American Trakehner Association. You cannot choose a word with more than 30 characters for a Welsh pony’s name. You have to be informed well enough about these breed registry restrictions so that you don’t waste time on a name that is finally not going to be accepted.

Barn name and registered name: There is no legal binding to use the same name you have registered for your horse in the barn as well. A lot of horse owners just find it convenient to have a single name for a horse. Nevertheless, some may find it interesting to have a separate barn name for a horse which is very different from its registered name.

The name you choose for your horse tells about that horse but it tells a lot about you too. There must be some philosophy behind naming a horse and that’s why you need to put some thought into the name you select for your horse.