Rename the horse

countrygirl · 04-08-08, 11:31 AM

My brother recently purchased a horse from a nearby ranch. The horse's name is Buck. My brother thinks that's a dumb name and wants to rename him.
I think he better stick with the name the horse has known for several years.

haute_ecole · 04-09-08, 02:22 PM

Horses, like dogs or cats can adjust to a new name so long as its taught to them. You can't just change it and expect the horse to know its now "apples" instead of "buck" and it may still answer to the old name at times as they have long memories.

SaddleSore · 04-09-08, 05:28 PM

I really don't think that there will be a problem here. Short term as already said you will need to allow some time for adjustment but in the long term it will all be fine, the horse will adjust pretty fast.

sandles · 04-10-08, 01:57 PM

As long as you can train it and remember to keep up daily for quite sometime the change should go pretty smooth. Now if the person is going from the old to the new name and back again, its just going to confuse the poor animal.

CityChick · 04-10-08, 05:42 PM

I'm not one to change names for an animal. Not unless the name they were given is idiotic or in some other way just plain wrong. I honestly think people who name animals in the first place should make the effort to give them a fitting and appropriate name. Unfortunately we all know that they don't all get good names.

flatback_frannie · 04-12-08, 12:37 AM

I have no problem with changing an animals name and I have in the past. Just use the new name a lot and never the old name. Use it especially when doing something the horse likes, such as feeding or brushing. Horses are very smart and adjust quickly. Remember, they are also adjusting to having a new family, so everything is different anyway.

SaddleSore · 04-12-08, 12:01 PM

Yes exactly, consistency is the key here. Constant use of the new name will eventually have them learn it. I too don't have a problem with changing a name, and have done with rescue animals. I think that it's part of them accepting their new home and family, because you are taking away that connection or reminder to them-and in the case of a rescue animal that can be very important.

sallyanna · 04-12-08, 07:29 PM

I don't see why not. It's totally possible for a horse to learn a new name. It will take time though. Why not come up with a name that is close to the old one. Like Lucky or something. Then it wouldn't be as hard to relearn for the horse.

04-08-08, 11:31 AM	Rename the horse Post #1 (permalink)
countrygirl Member Join Date: 04-04-08 Posts: 25	Rename the horse My brother recently purchased a horse from a nearby ranch. The horse's name is Buck. My brother thinks that's a dumb name and wants to rename him. I think he better stick with the name the horse has known for several years.

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04-09-08, 02:22 PM	Rename the horse Post #2 (permalink)
haute_ecole Member Join Date: 04-04-08 Posts: 25	Horses, like dogs or cats can adjust to a new name so long as its taught to them. You can't just change it and expect the horse to know its now "apples" instead of "buck" and it may still answer to the old name at times as they have long memories.

04-09-08, 05:28 PM	Rename the horse Post #3 (permalink)
SaddleSore Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 233	I really don't think that there will be a problem here. Short term as already said you will need to allow some time for adjustment but in the long term it will all be fine, the horse will adjust pretty fast.

04-10-08, 01:57 PM	Rename the horse Post #4 (permalink)
sandles Member Join Date: 04-04-08 Posts: 25	As long as you can train it and remember to keep up daily for quite sometime the change should go pretty smooth. Now if the person is going from the old to the new name and back again, its just going to confuse the poor animal.

04-10-08, 05:42 PM	Rename the horse Post #5 (permalink)
CityChick Member Join Date: 04-05-08 Posts: 25	I'm not one to change names for an animal. Not unless the name they were given is idiotic or in some other way just plain wrong. I honestly think people who name animals in the first place should make the effort to give them a fitting and appropriate name. Unfortunately we all know that they don't all get good names.

04-12-08, 12:37 AM	Rename the horse Post #6 (permalink)
flatback_frannie Member Join Date: 01-06-08 Posts: 129	I have no problem with changing an animals name and I have in the past. Just use the new name a lot and never the old name. Use it especially when doing something the horse likes, such as feeding or brushing. Horses are very smart and adjust quickly. Remember, they are also adjusting to having a new family, so everything is different anyway.

04-12-08, 12:01 PM	Rename the horse Post #7 (permalink)
SaddleSore Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 233	Yes exactly, consistency is the key here. Constant use of the new name will eventually have them learn it. I too don't have a problem with changing a name, and have done with rescue animals. I think that it's part of them accepting their new home and family, because you are taking away that connection or reminder to them-and in the case of a rescue animal that can be very important.

04-12-08, 07:29 PM	Rename the horse Post #8 (permalink)
sallyanna Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 100	I don't see why not. It's totally possible for a horse to learn a new name. It will take time though. Why not come up with a name that is close to the old one. Like Lucky or something. Then it wouldn't be as hard to relearn for the horse.

Rename the horse

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Rename the horse