Some rescues change all names to divert possible stalkers from the horse’s former life.
Yeah, I wouldn’t keep those cutesy names, either! 
About 18 months ago I bought an 11 y/o gelding who had the same name as the gelding I already owned (Buddy). Ordinarily I would not change an animal’s name but there was no way I could keep two horses with the same name as it was just too confusing for the horses and for anyone taking care of them.
The second horse is now known as Two or Twoey, since I nickname everything. In his case, the name change was not only necessary but I think it was good for him. He is somewhat of an anxious and high strung horse who had been bounced around a lot. I feel like the name change was a new start to a new life for him. He has turned out to be a lovely, very affectionate boy who really wants to please and is a pleasure to live with and to ride. A win-win for both of us.
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I don’t think I’ve ever not changed a name. I’ve never noticed an issue with a horse not easily learning it’s new name
Ha! I have a cat Tooey because there were a whole pile of barn cats that came along one after the other that looked exactly like the first (named by a child) French Fry. Fring Frou. Fring Frou Too. Tooey. 
We also had Things One, Two … Three and Four 
Things Three and Four happened when we realized there were 2 calicos and 2 tortishells in the litter and they were all a bit off-centre and Thing One Too and Thing Two Too just wasn’t going to work.
Horses’ barn/pet names morph, but, out of respect for their breeders, I choose not to change registered/show names.
I’ve changed horses names before, either because I hate the one they came with (like “Rabbit”. Um, really?) or because I think they needed a new start. My current project horse has a somewhat mysterious (to me) background and I just sense that she didn’t have the best go in life. Since I intend to rider her on the breed circuit, I don’t want any of that baggage to follow us, so I’m not only changing her barn name, she’s getting a new registered name as well. Thankfully, since she has no show record, I’m able to do that.
Nope. I absolutely refuse to change names if I know what they are. If I don’t know what prior names are, then I name them after the place they came from.
Now, having said that. I have changed ONE cat’s name in my life. The owner went to jail when the cat was little (5 months). I felt like the bad luck associated with the previous name superseded any bad luck from changing the name. The cat is still an absolute jerk, however.
Hunter people do this endlessly. I’ve always wondered why. Is it a mindset with them on their identity/ownership bc those horses seem to float around with ownership?
I’ve seen 4* event horses out there in semi-retirement being shown with the same names.
