Changing an older horses barn name?

[cnigh]

I really pefer not to change a horses name. 4 out of my 5 previous horses retained its name when bought and the oldest was 8, youngest 1).

I have lived with a Dolly, Eagle, Sarah and Beauty. I didn’t like any of their barn names or reg’d names for that matter, but they really weren’t too bad.

The only one that I changed was Tucker. I had a 3 yr old son with a lisp. I didn’t want him telling his JK classmates he had a horse named “F***ER”. So Tucker (4yr old Bay 14.1 QH x ?Pony - super cute thought kids would enjoy pony rides and mom long trail rides) became Hunter (named for the bay pony I used to ride in lessons when I was 12.)

BUT!

I have noticed that most Arabian have either traditional names (which is not a personal favorite) or really hokey cute names ie. Buffy, Sweety, Star etc.

Having lived with “Hellllllooooo Dolly!” for 5 years.

My top three choices for my next horse have hard to live with names. Sigh I need a break from babies but hesitate at the thought of changing an 18yr old’s name.

[rainechyldes]

I change barn names all the time, apparently so do my children.
My sons new pony arrived, “napoleon” this spring. everyone liked it, he’s an 11 hh pony, my 9 yr old son didnt and firmly stated that his ponys name was now Zach.

Zach it is.

I never think of it as a big issue, or even an issue.

[LisaW-B]

I bought a 15-year-old and changed his barn name. He had one barn name for his first 14 years, then another with his previous owner who I bought him from, and then I changed it again. I joke that he thinks his name is still his original barn name, only I pronounce it wrong. He’s learned his new name just fine.

And five years ago, when I bought my now 21-year-old ranch horse, I had no idea what his name had ever been. The woman I bought him from buys and sells ranch horses, and gives them names when they come in. When I bought him, he’d only been with her for a few weeks. So the name he came with when I bought him didn’t mean anything to him, but it stuck, and he definitely knows his name now.

Really, just don’t call 'em late for dinner!

[pj1]

When I got my appy at three years old her name was Stormy…and she was.
In hopes she would live up to a nice name and be a nice girl I changed it and she did.
Not Stormy any longer.

[3chunkymonkies]

I’ve never changed a name. By the time I decide to take the plunge and buy, the name is stuck. I have a mare named Becca. Hate it. However, it suits her dainty, feminine personality perfectly. I also hated the name Diesel. It also stuck. I learned later that he’d only had the name for 4 months. I don’t think the name matters, though. Diesel responds to Dingleberry. Prissy responds to Appyloo, Appababaloosa, Pappyloo, Mama, etc. The funny thing is…each one has an evolving, changing pet name but they always know who I’m talking to.

[cashin_IN]

yup, horses dont’ care what you call them, just that you do!
i have changed names on all of them, except and old mare i got whose name was “sunday” i looked at her on a sunday, and they brought her to me on a sunday, so i thought it shoudl stay.
cash came to me as “jack” (really? how original) i found out later his track name was squire (still sucky) plus he is totally a Cash.
i say go for it!