I am wondering if it is “bad luck” to change a horse’s name. I’ve never really been in this situation except changing a barn name on one…I just bought a second OTTB (last night) and it has the most tragic and odd name ever. He’s never shown, but did race! I’m sure it doesn’t have a barn name…so the big question would be for a show name. JC name is one I’ve always used on my other horses, but Candy Space Center is just not as flattering as my current one, Financial Legacy.
Candy Space Center. Oh my. I agree with you in that if the horse doesn’t have a show record and isn’t even registered with the USEF or TIP, I feel more comfortable picking something I like. My trainer is old-fashioned and will call horses by their “real” names even when they have “new” show- or barn-names. I imported a horse this spring and am really trying to let his registered name disappear into oblivion, but every once in a while my trainer calls him by it, especially when she’s showing him to someone. That being said, I’ve definitely kept way more names than changed names.
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Congrats on your new horse, OP!! I look forward to reading about him/her in your blog! I agree with veritas that if the horse isn’t USEF registered, you should name the horse whatever you like and I don’t think you should feel a bit guilty about it - you’re changing it’s discipline, why not it’s name? I do know someone who changed her OTTB’s name but kept the initials of the JC name as a prefix, so your horse could be CSC Dobbin (or similar). Or, use a word/words containing the letters C, S, C. Cascade? Best of luck!!
How about Candy Land? Just kidding. Candy Space Center a mighty weird name. Makes me wonder what ma and pa are named.
I was conflicted about the name change issue, and ultimately left my young horse’s barn and show names alone and have had terrible luck with him getting injured, so I say change it to something you like!!
We just changed my daughter’s pony’s name. He came as ksf Buttons. His barn name reminds “Buttons” despite my trainer and barn managers opinion (apparently in Germany and Lux this is a strange name). His show name, as we we’re the first to register him here, is now “cute as a button”.
i’d change your horses babe but keep some aspect of it.
Change it. This is your horse. Be happy with the whole new experience and don’t carry that name baggage along. Pick something that reminds you of some place, time or person you love, so that you feel good every time someone says " what’s his name?", which is the question I get most often when people here that I have a horse. And good luck with him!
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It seems you could honor the original name in your new choice. Peppermint Twist, or something.
Thanks, guys! I am very excited and honestly scared to death at the same time! It should make for an interesting blog…#imightbehavingapremidlifecrisis Is kinda what is rolling through my head right now as we’re about an hour or two away to pick him up! It was an unexpected purchase and it was one that was just too good to pass up. A little more back story on Candy Space Center…4 year old chestnut gelding, 22 starts and is out of the mare, Livermore Valley by Sidney’s Candy. The interesting detail about him and I think it’s a very neat one, the last race he won was on our wedding anniversary! I am tempted to name him something associated with that special day! I didn’t name Finn until I met him, but he is also named after the restaurant where my husband and I had our first date…so perhaps keeping with the same theme as far as barn names go?! I do like the idea of using CSC then whatever as a way to honor that TB heritage! He would sound super fancy and important like an import!
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Why not call him “Kennedy” since his registered name is obviously a play on that?
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I changed my horse’s show name. I just used his registered name for lack of creativity but it sucks going around the ring on a horse called “Ima Mr Docs Zan Bar.” Quarter Horse problems. So now he is The Comeback Kid, and then we switched to Eventing lol.
love this!
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Whatever you do, don’t name him “Sidney’s Liver.” 
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Oh my…I guess he dodged a bullet on that one LOL!!! So far, we’ve got Buzz for Buzz Lightyear and Buzz Aldrin, Bruno, Kennedy or Ducky after Duck, NC where we got married. My husband really likes Buzz and I have a feeling that’s what we are moving towards. The more we find out about this horse the more we are thinking on keeping Candy Space Center…papers came with Breeders Cup Nomination so, that’s kind of exciting even though it means nothing now…still neat!
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Or keep it, figuring the judges won’t forget a name like that :lol:
I always change the horse’s name when I get a new one. Silly superstition, IMO, and I’m not going to go out and call my horse something I hate every single day.
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Well the horse probably really doesn’t care what his name is. It’s a people thing. Enjoy your new pony!!!
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I always feel conflicted about this issue. I am in favor of keeping the horse’s original name if it has any kind of record. That way you’re honoring the horse’s history. On the other hand, some names are just too awful to keep. My horse is an Appendix QH with a name that I wouldn’t have chosen, but it’s tolerable. On the other hand, I don’t know if I could have lived with “Ima Mr Docs Zan Bar” (see post #11 above). :lol:
As for “Candy Space Center,” the name is odd but not downright risque or hideous. It’s your decision, of course, but since the horse has a not-undistinguished race record (very cool that he received a BC nomination), I’d keep it. I like your idea of using “Buzz” as a barn name.
I’ve changed both my horses names, one was older but no show record and the other was a 4 year old. Do what makes you happy.
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If you don’t like - change it! Life is too short, and the ponies too expensive to do otherwise!
My horse got to keep his barn name - while I might not have picked it as a name for a foal, my goodness does it ever suit him! I can only imagine that my horse must have made his personality known from day 1!
His registered name was fine - but a bit personal to his breeder (involved the breeder’s last name). Given that I’m paying the many, many bills, I decided to give him a show name that I liked and enjoyed.
