Last updated November 6, 2006
This document was created to provide an easy reference for the customs, traditions, and registry requirements for naming various breeds of horses. Specific breeds have traditions which are followed in naming horses. Some registries have rules as to how a horse may be named. I welcome any additional information about traditions or naming rules I may have missed.
A few definitions:
“Family” Names:
A word or words (or variation of these words) that commonly appear in a particular breeding family.
Farm Prefixes:
Word(s) that precede a horse’s actual name and identify the farm where he/she was bred
| Breed | Customs & Traditions | Registry Requirements |
| Akhal-Tekes | Colts named with the first letter of the sire’s name; fillies named with the first letter of the dam’s name. (While this is not a requirement, most breeders still follow that tradition.)Horse names often incorporate similar elements: bird (kush), colors (mele–yellow), or markings.Horses with the same names are common, especially in Europe and Russia, but may be distinguished by a number (Gindarkh 13, for example).
Names commonly Russian or Turkmene in origin. |
Akhal-Teke Association of America |
| American Saddlebreds | Sire often credited in offspringís namePop culture names often used | American Saddlebred Horse Association, Inc. |
| Andalusians | Often have one-word Spanish namesFarm prefixes sometimes used | International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association |
| Appaloosas | “Family” names common | Appaloosa Horse Club Limit of 20 charactersNo numbers, punctuation marks or similarly spelled namesNo naming after famous/notorious people or famous horses No vulgar & suggestive names |
| Arabians | “Family” names occasionally found Farm suffixes sometimes used |
Pre-2002, no more than 3 separate words with 17 letters and spaces2002 and later, up to 4 separate words with 19 letters and spacesNo numerals (Roman or Arabic)
No punctuation other than a dash No Sr. or Jr. Asterisk (*) denotes importation Plus sign (+) after the name indicates cumulative awards |
| Arabian, bred in England | Often have two word names including a descriptive adjective and a noun | |
| Arabian, Egyptian-bred | Usually have longer Arabic names w/ 2-3 wordsIbn (son of), bint (daughter of), bint bint (granddaughter of) sometimes used | |
| Arabian, bred in Poland | Often given one word names in language of country of originTend to be named with first letter of dam’s name | |
| Arabian, bred in Russia | Often given one word names in language of country of originCustomarily start with first letter of dam’s name | |
| Arabian, bred in Spain | Often given one word names in language of country of origin | |
| Arabian, USA | See “Arabians” above | |
| Australian Stock Horse | Stud prefixes are common, as are family names | A horse’s name, including the prefix, will be no longer than thirty spaces, allowing a space for every letter and a space between words.Australian Stock Horse Society |
| Canadian Horse | Canadian Horse names contain 3 parts.Herd name (name of the farm that owns the mare at the time of birth)Sire’s last name
Given name (first letter depends on the year foaled – 97 was the letter G, 98 was the letter H, I believe I read somewhere that the letter O was skipped since it so closely resembles the number 0) A horse named Mapleleaf Sandy Garland might have been sired by Fantasy Farm Baron Sandy out of Mapleleaf Lalon Coquette. Details at http://www.canadianhorses.com/name.html |
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| Danish Warmblood | Named with the first letter of the sire’s name | |
| Dutch Warmblood | The first letter of name dictated by the year of birth. A was last used in 1982; the letter for 1998 is R. Omit letter Q, X, and Y. | |
| Drafts (general)-English bred | Farm prefixes very commonSimple one word names common for work horses and geldings | |
| Falabella | Often use the word “Falabella” within name | Names limited to 25 characters |
| Fjord pony | One word, “viking-sounding” names common | |
| Friesian | Short, one word names common | Year-based naming schedule: 1998 – TUV, 1997 – PQRS, 1996 – MNO, 1995 – JKL, 1994 – GHI, 1993 – DEF, 1992 – ABC, 1991 – WXYZ, 1990 – TUV, 1989 – QRS, 1988 – OP, 1987 – MN, 1986 – KL, 1985 – IJ, 1984 – GH, 1983 – EF, 1982 – CD, 1981 – AB, 1980 – VW, 1979 – TU, 1978 – QRS, 1977 – OP, 1976 – MN, 1975 – KL, 1974 – IJ, 1973 – GH, 1972 – EF, 1971 – CD, 1970 – AB |
| German Warmbloods | Often use short, one word names | |
| Haflinger | Names usually one short wordAmerican breeders sometimes add initials to end of name | Colts named with first letter of sire’s name; fillies named with first letter of dam’s name |
| Hanoverian | Named with first letter of the sire’s name- very few exceptions | Offspring entering the Hannoverian Verband breeding book must take name starting with the first letter of sire’s name |
| Holsteiners | Colts named with first letter of sire’s name.Fillies named on year based-schedule provided by verband. – 1982 U, 1983 V, 1984 W, 1985 Z, 1986 A, 1987 B, 1988 C, 1989 D, 1990 E, 1991 F, 1992 G, 1993 H, 1994 I&J, 1995 K, 1996 L, 1997 M, 1998 N, 1999 O, 2000 P, 2001 R, 2002 S, 2003 T, etc. | |
| Icelandic horse | Often named for color or temperament or are taken from Icelandic mythologyNames are gender-specific – male names end in “I”, “ur” or “n”; mare names almost always end in “a”Named from (fra) or of (av/af) a farm or stable | Must have Icelandic names |
| Lippizan | Roman numerals common | Stallions named first by sire line and then by the name of his dam. Roman numerals are added if the name has already been used.Mares are given names that begin with the same letter as their dams and end with the letter “a”. |
| Miniature Horse | Farm prefixes common | Names limited to 25 characters |
| Missouri Foxtrotter | Farm names/initials allowedOften use sires names, esp. famous lines. (Since the stud books were closed to TWHs in only 1983, TWH names are sometimes found.)Mares, esp. older broodmares, tend to have very dull (human) 1-2 word names and sometimes an initial | |
| Morgan | Farm prefixes commonPop cuture names sometimes used | Names limited to 25 characters, spaces and/or punctuation marks |
| Oldenburg | Named with first letter of sire’s name | |
| Paint | “Family” names common | |
| Paso Fino | Names are usually Spanish or Spanish-flavored | |
| Peruvian Paso | Names are usually Spanish or Spanish-flavored | |
| Quarter Horse | “Family” names common | 20 character limit including spacesNo Roman numeralsArabic numerals only at end of name and 3-5 spaces
Punctuation prohibited Single initials at beginning or end of name prohibited |
| Selle Francais | Year based naming schedule: A was last used in 1988 and L is the letter used for 1998. Omit W, X, Y and Z20 character limit including spacesNo numberal or initials
No more than one word |
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| Shagya Arabian | Roman numerals common | |
| Shetland pony, American | Farm prefixes usually not used | |
| Shetland pony, British | Farm prefixes common | |
| Shire | “Imp.” denotes importation | |
| Standardbred | 18 character & 4 word limitNames of outstanding horses may not be repeated nor may they be used a prefix or suffix unless the name is part of sire or dam’s nameNo prefix/suffix such as Junior, etc.
No roman numerals |
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| Tennessee Walker | Sire often credited in offspring’s nameSingle initial at beginning or end of name common | |
| Thoroughbred | Sire or dam’s name is often incorporated into the foal’s name | Limit of 18 charactersMay not consist of initials onlyMay not end in horse related term (ex. “filly”, “colt”, “mare”, etc.)
May not be used if easily confused with name of previously named horse May not consist of numbers (unless spelled out) No numeral designations (“II”, “3rd“, etc.) Prefixes prohibited Names of deceased famous persons may not be used unless approval granted by Jockey Club Names of deceased “notorious” people may not be used Names of racetracks or stakes races not allowed Names w/ commercial significance not allowed Copyrighted material (ex. names of books, movies, etc.) not allowed Suggestive or obscene names not allowed Names currently in use not allowed Names that have been designated “permanent names” (means they canít be used again after the horse has died, often used for famous horses such a Secretariat) or names similar in spelling or pronunciation may not be used |
| Trakehner | Fullbreds named with first letter of dam’s name.Halfbreds colts named with first letter of sire’s name, fillies with the first letter of the dam’s name. | |
| Welsh pony | Farm prefixes commonNamed in English or Welsh | Length up to 30 characters |
| Welsh cob | Welsh names sometimes used | |
| Westphalian | Named with first letter of sire’s name |
This table was developed using the following sources:
Kathman, Lesli. Whatís in a Name? Selecting Authentic Names for Your Models IPABRA Newsletter – “Bloodlines”, Vol. I, issue 4 (Originally written for and published in The Hobby Horse News, reprinted with additional information added by Kim Bjorgo)
Personal Research by IPABRA Members & other hobbyists including: Melissa Addison, Amber Dana Berdie, Kim Bjorgo, Melissa Effenberger, Cynthia Gardner, Melissa Grimm, Mary-Ann Jantz, Shelly Kemmer, Julia Lord, Greg Mason, Anne-li Mell, Debbie Moore, Chris Wallbruch, Jean Sorensen, Sue Stahl, Jessica Syring, Shannon Tostanoski, Daralyn Wallace, Lissa Wickman, and Michelle Peck Williams.
This document was compiled by Beth Gustas. If you can provide additional information and/or updates please e-mail Cory with cited resources. Thanks!
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