One of the toughest decisions you may have when you get a new horse is trying to find the perfect name. Maybe you want a name related to your horse’s personality, color, or a name associated with a favorite memory. When you’re competing with your horse, it gets even more complicated. You’ll probably want an impressive show name for competitions as well as a nickname for your horse. In this article, we offer some inspiration to help you name your next horse.
Personal Thoughts for Naming Your Horse
Most show horses have a show name and a barn name. Show names are often created using a combination of the horse’s bloodlines. Michelle, one of our team members here at The Farm House, has a horse named Drumfields Ellusion. (She spells it with an “e” because his sire is named Escapade, and she wanted to use the first letter of the stud’s name.) Drumfields Ellusion is the name she uses on the horse’s formal paperwork and for competition. But back at home, she calls him Lego. (After all, who is going to yell across the barn, “Drumfields Ellusion, stop chewing on your halter right now!”?) Barn names make everyday communication with your horse much easier.
Popular Horse Names
If you want to simply choose a popular name for your horse that strikes your fancy, here are some of the most common horse names to consider.
- Sugar
- Cash
- Dakota
- Cisco
- Spirit
- Dusty
- Sunshine
- Chief
- Dash
- Magic
- Jasper
- Rebel
- Scout
- Gypsy
- Star
- Willow
- Lucky
- Chance
Best Horse Names by Color
Naming a horse after its coat color is another popular option and common practice since a horse’s coat color is a very visible and distinctive aspect. Here are some options.
Brown and Chestnut Horse Names
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Toffee
- Autumn
- Brownie
- Copper
- Rusty
- Cocoa
- Chocolate
- Cappuccino
- Teddy
- Mocha
Black Horse Names
- Ebony
- Onyx
- Jaguar
- Noir
Grey Horse Names
- Snowball
- Pepper
- Napoleon
Other Horse Names Related to Coat
You might also choose a name related to the pattern of your horse’s coat. For example, Freckles is a great name for a spotted horse, and Domino is a popular black and white horse name. You might see pintos named Scout, Pirate, Rembrandt, and Jigsaw, given their white and black or brown coloring. For Palomino and buckskin horses with tan coloring, Blondie is an option, and I’ve also seen other great names like Spirit, Echo, and Trapper. Some popular white horse names include Snowflake and Blizzard.
Best Horse Names by Gender
If you’re having trouble finding just the right name for your horse, consider some different horse names by gender.
Male Horse Names
- Tucker
- Cody
- Ranger
- Franklin
- Joey
- Wilbur
- Trigger
- King
Female Horse Names
- Bella
- Lady
- Rosie
- Lucy
- Dolly
- Annie
- Molly
- Princess
Best Show Names
We’ve heard a lot of great show names over the years. For example, Lost My Sock is a horse with three white lower legs and one leg that is black. A friend of ours recently got a gray horse that she named Snowglobe, as gray horses have a tendency to like to get dirty. And one of our all-time favorites is Still Deciding! But the funniest we’ve ever heard is Don’t Tell Daddy!
A few more show names:
- Saved the Best for Last
- Celtic Harlequin
- Weekend Shakeup
- Out Like a Light
- Ice on the Bey
- Debutante
Take some time with this decision and have some fun. You’re going to have your horse for a long time, and you want to love the name just as much ten years from now as you do today!
Best Barn Names
Barn names are your casual name for your horse, more like a nickname. For a barn name, you want something shorter than a show name that just rolls off the tongue. It can take some time to figure out your horse’s personality, so sit on your decision for a bit to see what really fits. You might consider a shortened version of your horse’s show name, or maybe you want to choose another name entirely for the barn name. Here are some great options:
- Sheriff
- Blazer
- Buckeye
- Buck
- Lego
- Merlin
- Amigo
- Blue
- Moxie
- Phoenix
- Quincy
You can even name your horse after your favorite city. Consider names like Paris, Sydney, London, or even Berlin. Or maybe you’ll choose a name you love from a favorite book, song, or artist, such as Frodo, Purple Rain, or Michelangelo.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our list of28 Famous Horse Names
Nothing will ever come close to your relationship with your horse. You’ll spend a lot of time together, both in and out of the show ring. Choosing your horse’s name is also a reflection of your relationship with your horse. Get creative and have some fun!
No matter what name you choose for your horse, The Farm House has everything you need to care for your new friend. Fromgrooming supplies tosaddles, we offer a collection of customer-loved and staff-tested products that will serve your horse well. Explore our full collection of horse tack, and if you have questions about any of the tack we carry, give us a call at 864-457-3557. We’re always glad to help!
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Michelle has been obsessed with horses since childhood. In addition to managing the e-commerce department at Farm House Tack, she is a graduate B with the United States Pony Club and previously worked as an Equine Veterinary Technician. She currently competes in the Amature Owner Hunters with her home-bred warmblood gelding Lego. Her husband David is a DVM with a graduate degree in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia.
