Owners who change horses names.....

[salymandar]

OP, I am sorry that the purchaser of your horse did not honor a verbal agreement. I can understand the emotional aspect of this deal, in particular.

As an owner, I try to respect the name a breeder has given a horse; however, I have changed some of my horses’ names if it suited my needs and not for any nefarious reason. First, I like to have a name that is somewhat unique. I do not want my horse to be confused with 14 other horse’s showing in the same division in the same general region in the same time period. Secondly, I would prefer to have a name that is not offensive, just awful, or doesn’t fit with the discipline I plan on riding with it. If I can give homage to the breeder or the horse’s breeding, I will try to do so, even if I change the horse’s name.

Here are some examples of my thoughts in changing a name.

My first pony’s name had a famous farm name as a prefix and part of its name referenced its sire. I liked the name, it was unique. It stayed.

The second was an OTTB with a gawd-awful name that had no reference to her breeding or breeder. She wasn’t breeding material, she did not show much, and we kept her until her dying day. Name changed.

Third was an import with a unique name according to the USEF <at the time>. The name meant something to the registry and it wasn’t awful. It stayed although it did end up showing against a horse of the same name for a bit - grr!. Although there are still only a handful with the name, according to USEF.

Fourth had a name in which there are about a 100 horses registered with USEF with that very same name within the same age cohort. Too many to sort through to see whether they could be in the same area / divisions. Name was changed; however, we keep the same 1st letter of the sire’s name, consistent with the registry.

As we are not trying to hide anything, all of these horses were registered with USEF and, their breed, breeder, sire, dam, registry (registered name), etc. are all included with their registered information.

While I appreciate that it is hard to name a horse and that, in many cases, as much effort goes into naming a horse as it does creating a horse, sometimes the names just don’t send the right message. For example, if I have a lovely derby horse that happens to be a quarter horse with the name Sheeza Lotta Horse or a lovely TB A/O Hunter with the name Speeddemonfromhe((. It is not that I am not proud of my horse and its breeding; I just don’t think they fit the hunter naming conventions or help create the image I would be looking for for that horse. Also, if your stallion’s name is Bell Amore and you sell me a lovely mare named Bella, even with a farm prefix / suffix I am also probably going to change it because it is just too common of a name.

My goal in naming a horse is to find a name that will be memorable, in a good way.

[EllenAspen]

Feel free to change the name…My husband wanted to name one of our horses after his mother. I didn’t have a choice. Although he doesn’t ride he is very agreeable to all this horse stuff.

So, when our colt by All the Gold was born his registered name became Dorthea’s Gold. Feel free to change it. I don’t like it…it doesn’t fit a gelding.

(Don’t tell my husband! :eek:)

[VCT]

I can see why Maggie is upset, completely. If you have an agreement with someone they should do what they say they will.

From my personal perspective if I don’t like a name I would want to change it. I usually do not like the prefixes and suffixes because they make names long and unattractive in my opinion. I also don’t like the letters. (I do think “Backstage” is a pretty good name though.)

Anyways, in such a case, I don’t understand why people can’t communicate about it. And at the big shows, don’t they ever announce where horses come from? If not, maybe they should. You could put it on the entry. They could announce it with the pinnings.

1st place Upstage ridden by Jon Doe, bred by Marabet Farm, etc.

I dunno… it just seems like there should be a common ground somehow.

Thankfully I have never run into this problem as all my horses are econonags from unknown backgrounds and don’t have anyone who cares what I change their name to

[Equilibrium]

[QUOTE=EllenAspen;6129075]
Feel free to change the name…My husband wanted to name one of our horses after his mother. I didn’t have a choice. Although he doesn’t ride he is very agreeable to all this horse stuff.

So, when our colt by All the Gold was born his registered name became Dorthea’s Gold. Feel free to change it. I don’t like it…it doesn’t fit a gelding.

(Don’t tell my husband! :eek:)[/QUOTE]

LOL! That’s too funny EA! My last colt born in 2010 is by Iroko. At first I was going to register with Zangersheide which would have meant an I name at time of register. He was adamant he could name one. So he was going to be Iggy Pop. I was like, yeah okayyyyyyy. So he got the barn name of Iggy anyway. But I registered him with the Irish Horse Board which meant no naming until 2. He has been sold so I shall wait and see what the new owners name him. But they kept his barn name of Iggy. It’s cute because when she updates me on Facebook, she says, Iggy says Hi! But I still have the 2010 filly by Vancouver who I can name this year. There are no rules with the IHB but I want it to begin with V for the stallion. So Cupcake will be known as Vendetta per my husband’s request. And really here’s how non committal on names I am. Cupcake started out with the barn name of Lila. Then she was Lila Cupcake. I don’t know how or why or when and then it just became The Cupcake. It’s horrible and yet it somehow fits her.

Terri

[mpsbarnmanager]

[QUOTE=Burbank;6127322]
you can always acknowldge on your site that he is now being shown under X name, that way when people search they find your site and can know that you were his breeder[/QUOTE]

That’s a great idea! Wow, that really sucks, and I LOVE the name you gave him! Sorry!:no:

[Perfect_Pony]

@Cartier;6128430

But the truth is, the general population really hasn’t a clue what it means in to be a breeder i.e. someone with a long- term multigenerational breeding goals focused on successive generations of improving quality (as opposed to someone who simply has control over the uterus of a female and wants to make a fast buck). The general population not only doesn’t understand it, they don’t value it. They aren’t going to appreciate our perspective anymore then we appreciate theirs. We are divided by a chasm that only life experience will bridge, and even then, some never get it.

While I think you are correct, I think it’s just plain willful misunderstanding. At the end of the day people think only of themselves typically, I just don’t get it.

I am not a breeder, but I would never dream to change a horse’s registered name no matter whether I liked it or not. It actually never occurred to me ever. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the benefit of keeping a horse’s name for a lifetime, both for the breeder and for the owner and for all the previous and future owners. People just plain don’t give a crap and it’s sad.

I for one proudly use the full name and breeders name or suffix, it should be a sense of pride for the breeder and the owner. And especially in the case of being given a deal on a nice horse from a breeder, it’s just totally classless to change the horse’s name.

[WarDance]

I’m changing my horse’s name from what the owner has on the registry papers. My situation is kind of different though. This horse was sold unregistered by the breeder and the new owner came up with these names that are on the application. The previous owner never sent in the application so now I have to pay $400 to have the 3 year old registered. I absolutely will name the horse what I want.

Plus I don’t want a horse named Wild Firefly Fizz (or Big Girls Don’t Cry, or Wild Wind Party Thyme)! I spoke to the breeder this weekend and she also doesn’t want her baby to have that name. But I was actually calling to confirm that she did not come up with these 3 name choices because I would have used them if she did.

Instead I feel like I am actually making the breeder happy because I got a better idea about the circumstances when the baby was barn. Because of that I want the baby to have a special name.

[Somermist]

[QUOTE=WarDance;6129242]
I’m changing my horse’s name from what the owner has on the registry papers. My situation is kind of different though. This horse was sold unregistered by the breeder and the new owner came up with these names that are on the application. The previous owner never sent in the application so now I have to pay $400 to have the 3 year old registered. I absolutely will name the horse what I want.

Plus I don’t want a horse named Wild Firefly Fizz (or Big Girls Don’t Cry, or Wild Wind Party Thyme)! I spoke to the breeder this weekend and she also doesn’t want her baby to have that name. But I was actually calling to confirm that she did not come up with these 3 name choices because I would have used them if she did.

Instead I feel like I am actually making the breeder happy because I got a better idea about the circumstances when the baby was barn. Because of that I want the baby to have a special name.[/QUOTE]

It was very considerate of you to contact the breeder. I don’t think many people would have done that.

[danskbreeder]

I have it in my sales contract that the horse must be registered with the USEF and any other governing bodies as whatever the name is. I sold a horse that the owners wanted to change his name and I agreed as long as they kept the farm prefix. I think that it’s best to outline these things in the sales contract. To those of you who say they don’t like prefixes or suffixes it’s really the ONLY way a breeder has any chance to get any recognition.

[Tamara_in_TN]

[QUOTE=MyssMyst;6128829]
I’m not a breeder, but I grew up in the Morgan breed ring, and I paid a lot of attention to prefixes/suffixes. I knew what lines/barns I wanted to avoid at all costs, and could stay clear of them, or seek them out if I knew it was what I wanted. I see the HVK in a name, and I know exactly what kind of breeding is there. Same with Tropic or Skyridge. And I showed horses with names I hated, but that’s just the way it is.

.[/QUOTE]

exactly…if you pay attention, it can tell you just about everything you need to know about the animal and sadly sometimes the shopping experience you will have

Tamara

[Burbank]

when I bought my half arab I knew from his name who his sire is, who his breeder is and that even with no picture I would contact the seller because I knew personally 3 horses from that breeder and two of the three from the same sire

[vxf111]

If keeping the name was of such critical importance, why didn’t it make its way-- in writing-- into the sales agreement?? And why didn’t you make sure there was specific consideration for that individual clause of the agreement?

It is crummy when people make a promise and then change their mind, but it sounds like a gratuitous promise so the new owner was well within his rights. You should be proud of the horse, no matter what his name since you bred him. But if you wanted to retain control over his name, you should have reducd that to an enforceable agreement or kept him and retained full control.

I like the idea of listing his new and old name on your website. Hunter people change names a lot and it’s not at all unusual to see two names-- sometimes even in stallion ads (I think “Shine” is formerly or maybe in some studbooks as “Alessi” etc.) People don’t blink at seeing that.

[mbm]

[QUOTE=Perfect Pony;6129193]
While I think you are correct, I think it’s just plain willful misunderstanding. At the end of the day people think only of themselves typically, I just don’t get it.

I am not a breeder, but I would never dream to change a horse’s registered name no matter whether I liked it or not. It actually never occurred to me ever. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the benefit of keeping a horse’s name for a lifetime, both for the breeder and for the owner and for all the previous and future owners. People just plain don’t give a crap and it’s sad.

I for one proudly use the full name and breeders name or suffix, it should be a sense of pride for the breeder and the owner. And especially in the case of being given a deal on a nice horse from a breeder, it’s just totally classless to change the horse’s name.[/QUOTE]

but you dont even have to change the name with the registry… Many folks show their horses using the barn name or some other name… Unless someone is looking for breed recognition why use the registered name?

If you look at Centerline Scores you can see many horses competing using other names…

Changing a horses name at the registry is expensive and most folks probably don’t do that… but they DO compete the horse under a different name.

To make this personal, I am trying to come up with a name for my pony… his registered name is a bit awkward… breeder says fine, registry says i must keep the farm name… not sure yet what i will do. I probably will just use whatever name i want when i show and not change his name - which means i cant go for breed awards… which seems silly to me. So, by trying to force people to do something (and i am sure the rule was made by breeders) This registry will instead not get “credit” for any animal not shown using its full registered name.

Seems a bit shortsighted and might also be why so many folks don’t change the name with the registries…

[wanderlust]

Maggie, I can understand why you are upset. However, to a trainer/owner/non-breeder, your actions make you look kind of crazy. You sent an angry text and left a sobbing message. Over a name change. You’ve disparaged the purchaser, along with posting his full name on the board. As someone who is in the business of selling and breeding horses to show homes, do you think this is going to help your business? The trainer who bought your horse is certainly not going to send clients to you now, nor will any trainer who hears about this.

There are near-constant laments on this board about buyers who go to Europe instead of buying from breeders in the US. But if this is the kind of thing that happens when buyers purchase buy in the US, is it much of a wonder that they prefer going to Europe? No breeder over there is going to add clauses and addendums to sales agreements with fines for name change. They are going to take your money and put your horse on a plane, without any extra grief.

I own a young horse bred by a large warmblood breeding facility in the US. I really hated his name. I changed it before the ink even dried on the sales contract. I did, however, list the breeder when I registered him with USEF/USHJA, alerted the breeder to the name change, and later sent him show photos and an update.

[buschkn]

@Tamara in TN;6128643

yes- he is listed as Balt’dAmour JSF in his RPSI paperwork

Jump Start Farm now in Lexington Ky

Tamara

Now that is ironic.

[Harold]

[QUOTE=buschkn;6129543]
Now that is ironic.[/QUOTE]

Yes, is this true OP?

[Iron_Horse_Farm]

@wanderlust;6129484

I own a young horse bred by a large warmblood breeding facility in the US. I really hated his name. I changed it before the ink even dried on the sales contract. I did, however, list the breeder when I registered him with USEF/USHJA, alerted the breeder to the name change, and later sent him show photos and an update.

I think this is the profound difference. In one case, my mare’s name was changed over and over (and the papers “lost”) so that she could be sold as a “baby green hunter” every two years or so. Another was listed on a big warmbloods sale site with a slight deviation on the name so that the owner could try to renig on the buy-back clause in my contract.

Soo, name changes where the breeder is not left out in the cold (vs where the owner is trying to get away with some borderline criminal activity) are fine. I have a couple of horses out there showing under different names, but their papers are intact, and I am listed on USEF as the breeder. I was also recently contacted by someone who bought a horse that I had bred and changed his name BACK to his given name after seh got the papers and discovered who he was.

[Tapperjockey]

[QUOTE=mbm;6128720]
ok, so again as an OWNER, I find this thread to be strange.

I totally understand a breeder wanting their suffix or prefix to remain, however, if the name means so much to you - don’t sell the horse. it’s pretty simple.

when someone buys your horse and does well with them - that is FREE advertising for you. no matter what the name.

I agree a horse ID number would correct the problem of breeders losing credit as the horse travels from owner to owner…

Also, if breeders want buyers to keep the names/farm name etc - Please make it a nice prefix! and not something long and awkward and hard to say etc.

I have seen some pony names that are pretty crazy and if I were the buyer I would change the names in a heartbeat!

anyway, a name is a personal thing. If folks are worried about breeder credit (and I get that) then push for a horse ID number. Also, if you are intent on the horse/pony keeping the name you gave it - perhaps don’t name until buyer buys so it can be named by the person who owns it.[/QUOTE]

How is it free advertising if no one knows the horse is of my breeding, results don’t show me as breeder, etc.

It’s not.

[Tapperjockey]

[QUOTE=mbm;6128998]
This. I own a Connemara pony and his name includes the farm that bred him… Now, I want to honor the breeder, but the name is long and awkward … the breed registry says i cant remove the farm name and get breed points.

so what is an owner to do? Keep the long awkward name and honor the breeder or use a name that is more fitting and not show in breed shows go for all breeds etc?

its not a fun place to be…

hint to breeders: register your farm as a 2 or 3 letter prefix or better a sufffix so that we owners will want to keep the info out there for you.[/QUOTE]

Connemaras, as well as Welsh and Morgan, Fell Ponies, etc… have very strict rules on name changes and in almost all cases, whatever you pick, they will put the breeder prefix/suffix/name on for you if you try to change it and “forget”.

[winsmorefarm]

Apologies - didn’t read the entire thread…and I do understand the sentiments of the names that we choose for our foals AND more importantly being respectful of the breeders by keeping the suffix (even if the new owner does change the name) BUT does this mean that Marabet Farm will be adding “JSF” to the end of Balt’Amour’s name to all of the advertisements, shows, etc? The lovely stallion that was bred by Jump Start Farm?

Not to be rude, but this seems to be a pot & black kettle sort of thing…