Dilemma - Do I change her name ..

O

opinionuk

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 August 2009
Messages
594
Visit site
I have recently had a 4 year old mare ISH from Ireland, she was shipped from there then with a dealer for a week, I was told her name was Bally.

After speaking to her previous owner who also bred her and has had her since birth as i was concerned about her behaviour, she has started rearing and is a bit of a handful and wanted some background into the mare. who is also the breeder and has had her from birth apparently her name is Rosie.

Apparently she was a lovely well mannered mare who was calm and relaxed different to the horse i have now!

Do you think I should revert to her name Rosie that she has had since birth as she would have been broken and schooled with the name Rosie and may respond better to that or continue calling her Bally which I have been done for last 12 weeks?
 
You could try calling her Rosie a few times, she might recognise it and respond more when being brought in from the field or such. But i doubt it would actually help change her behaviour when being worked. If she was well mannered etc, and is now causing trouble, there is a reason behind it, whether it be bad riding/schooling before you bought her or some bad experience, ill fitting tack or a scare of some sort. Whatever it is, it will be a matter of working through it and building confidence and trust in you, she seems to have gone through a lot for a 4 year old already so will need time.
 
I don't know what my horse was called in the past but she learned her current name very quickly, so I wouldn't worry about it. I also have a special whistley sound I make which she knows is me and it is meant for her and her alone.
 
Is she definately the same horse? Is she microchipped or freeze marked? If her name and her behaviour are that different I would want to check. If she def is I would start looking for a reason for the behaviour like pain and call her whichever name suits her and she responds to.
 
Poor girl has gone through the mill a bit. You don't know what she has gone through, personally think carefully checking ID very good advice. Which do you think suits her? Dealer who was at yard I used to be at never knew names of his horses, just made one up when people asked, so I wouldn't put too much trust in how long she's been called Bally. Focus on her problems, which wont be caused by being confused over a name, then use whatever you choose.
 
She def is the same horse as her owner has sent me a lot of photos of her at shows.

I have had her back, tack, teeth checked so all is ok on that front, its really frustrating not knowing how to handle her as I don't think aggressive behaviour is the way forward but I couldn't imagine taking her to competitions at the moment because of her temperment , her old owner has taken her to plenty of shows, getting really down about this now.
 
At 4 she has gone through an awful lot really. Personally i would relax with her, give her time to really settle in and get to know you and ease back into the workload. Maybe try giving her the winter off and bring her back into work in the spring, she might just need a break mentally to mature.
 
Give yourself and her some time to bond, mine was perfect last summer then she injured herself and quite simply went bonkers. I put her on RelaxMe and Oestress and her behaviour did improve a little. This winter so far she has been pretty good as I have been able to work her and turn her out when it's dry enough. When I spoke to her breeder she didn't really believe me. Also if the name on the passport is Bally - you are stuck with that, however most Irish beasties are unamed when they get here I think, be kind to yourself and your horse, maybe have a look at clicker training? To improve your situation, quickly and quietly xxxx
 
I know but its difficult when you are told what a great horse she was, i'm just terrified of ruining her, maybe i'm just putting to much pressure on me and her.
 
She has been through a lot and it's understandable that she's a bit unsettled. If you are quietly firm but kind with her then i'm sure she'll come round.

As for the name, go with whichever suits her best. But if changing to Rosie gives you the feeling of a new start then go for it. I doubt it will matter to your mare what you call her, but if you see it as 'starting afresh' then she might well pick up on your new attitude :)
 
Dowjones said:
At 4 she has gone through an awful lot really. Personally i would relax with her, give her time to really settle in and get to know you and ease back into the workload. Maybe try giving her the winter off and bring her back into work in the spring, she might just need a break mentally to mature.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice. I have recently bought a baby who has come from Ireland through a dealer and he is not as docile now he is home with me as he was for the dealer (whom I know and trust). I am not going to rush him and spend plenty of time on the ground handling and re-establishing good manners and going back to basics really to ensure their is a bond and respect and an understanding of who is in charge ....... not him!! I wish you luck but really think patience is the key.
 
Go for it. Can't hurt to try.
Kao used to be called Dodger. I loathe that name, which a passion. In all honesty I couldn't wait to get him home just so I could change his name!
He responded to it quickly, he's not the brightest thing ever but he's grasped his name pretty well.
Though, I usually greet him with a high pitched "PONY!" to which he responds "O_O...oh fudz ^-^"

It will get better. Believe me. At 4, I'd just let her settle then start some proper work.
Kao is 5 rising 6 and i'm taking it super easy with him till the Spring. Then we're doing a load of stuff :) Do loads of in the school groundwork and let her get to know you.

P.S: Rosie is so much better than Bally!
 
I always change names (apart from my loan made who is a palamino called Babycham - cool name!) on the basis of new name, new start.

If a horse has come from a bad past then quite likely they have been treated badly and shouted at with the name. A new name will then only be associated with nice things - not a telling off. I think your idea of calling her Rosie again has sound basis, but why not just start afresh - you could call her what you have always wanted to call a horse :)
 
with rescue dogs you are often advised to change the name - esp if they've had behaviour issues as it can help them wipe the slate clean so to speak
tbh if you feel it will help then do it as you may find you have more confidence in yourself calling her her previous (well behaved) name
 
ah changing a name is bad luck!

She wont actually know Roh see! (as it is spoken) or Ballee , all she will recognise is the High pitch calling tone at the end of the word.

In this case I would call her what i felt suited her best and what i liked best (Rosie in this case!) xx
 
After everybodys advice on here I have now changed her name back to the name she was born with, my horse is now called Rosie! its taking a bit of getting used to and the livery yard have all been informed.

Rosie is a much better name than Bally as I think thats a rather aggressive name for a mare.

So decision has been made :-)
 
Rosie is a great name ( my Gran was called Rosie and was the sunniest, happiest lovelist person ever :D )

I totally agree at 4 she is still a baby and friends have had horses from Ireland and the journey can be awful especially if the sea is rough :(

Give her time and go back to ground work. Don't put her under pressure. I didn't ride Trixie for 8 weeks when I got her last year as she had a bad start so we went back to basics. After 8 weeks of careful handling she grew in confidence and settled into the most wonderful happy horse still has her triggers and reverts to quivering jelly but we know how to deal with those moments and she trust me to guide her through. It's the most rewarding thing ever.

Tke time out from riding / competitions and focus on getting to know her and what she likes and dislikes and how she is comfortable with you. Just observe and be with her no pressure.

Good luck and enjoy her for what she is no pressure - you'll get there.
 
Personally - I would change her name back to Rosie as I am very superstitious (SP?) about horses names.

However, her name is not really the issue here - not sure how much experience you have but perhaps some professional help with her issues.

Best of luck.
 
My horse is called Rosie - fab name for a fab horse - although she definitely answers to 'dinner' :D

Personally, I would not change a horses name, so if Rosie was her name I would go back to that. Hope it changes your luck with her :)
 
COMPLETELY off topic, but dowjones - where did you get your name from? Its just that i knew a good racehorse by the name of dowjones and i see you have racing pics.....just wondering if its from him?!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top