To those who don't think it's unlucky to change a horse's name...

JenJ

JenJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 January 2010
Messages
3,462
Location
Surrey
Visit site
...read my tale of woe.

Ronan was a lovely horse that came into my yard for selling. A perfect first horse, he got a bit excitable on a day ride, but the next hack was fine. I also got to ride him in three lessons. So, well tried out, much more than most people get to do, and last Friday I bought him. My first horse.

After handing over the cash, I changed his name to Jack. 10 minutes later, I jumped on him to try out a new saddle as the fitter had come out, and he chucked me off.

I was away all weekend so didn't get to see him again until Tuesday. It was chucking it down, and an hour's bike ride meant I was soaked through so didn't ride.

Today, my first proper ride on my own horse. He chucked me off again.

I have waited 20 years to be a horse owner, so far I have ridden twice, been chucked off twice, and am now too scared to get on him.

(but I'm not giving in and changing his name back though...)
 
Last edited:
JenJ said:
...read my tale of woe.

Ronan was a lovely horse that came into my yard for selling. A perfect first horse, he got a bit excitable on a day ride, but the next hack was fine. I also got to ride him in three lessons. So, well tried out, much more than most people get to do, and last Friday I bought him. My first horse.

After handing over the cash, I changed his name to Jack. 10 minutes later, I jumped on him to try out a new saddle as the fitter had come out, and he chucked me off.

I was away all weekend so didn't get to see him again until Tuesday. It was chucking it down, and an hour's bike ride meant I was soaked through so didn't ride.

Today, my first proper ride on my own horse. He chucked me off again.

I have waited 20 years to be a horse owner, so fare I have ridden twice, been chucked off twice, and am now too scared to get on him.

(but I'm not giving in and changing his name back though...)
Click to expand...

I never change a horse's name as very superstitious. Hence I have a horse called Doris!:)
 
I changed my mare's name and she turned out to be infoal not sure if some would see that as bad luck or good luck :D For me it was good luck.

Sending you and Jack some good luck :)
 
Sorry you're having a bad time. I'd guess its more likely Jack/Ronan doesn't like his new saddle (or possibly, but less likely, you his new rider) than bad luck because you changed his name.

If its any consolation, I didn't change the name of the horse I bought a few years ago that dropped me nearly every time I got on her since day one.

I'm not sure if that will cheer you up or depress you more, lol. :p
 
I have changed the name of many horses - and they have become reformed characters because of it, two that come to mind are Lucifer (who became Tomas) and Romeo (who became Cornflake) so ignore the superstition.
I suspect that Jack (Ronan) is settling into his new home - I would suggest that you get previous owner over a couple of times to ride him out from new home - as soon as he is setttled he will probably be a happy Jack!
 
Flame_ said:
Sorry you're having a bad time. I'd guess its more likely Jack/Ronan doesn't like his new saddle (or possibly, but less likely, you his new rider) than bad luck because you changed his name.

If its any consolation, I didn't change the name of the horse I bought a few years ago that dropped me nearly every time I got on her since day one.

I'm not sure if that will cheer you up or depress you more, lol. :p
Click to expand...

Yes, I shall be ringing the saddler tomorrow and letting her know - she did say to tell her if there were any problems next time I rode him so I'll try and get a saddle similar to the one he wore when he first arrived. Plus we know his back is a bit sensitive, and the back lady is coming tomorrow morning.

I just had to make a joke out of it and blame the name changing else I'd cry!!!
 
Neither of my last two horses had 'names' (or passports...) but first was known as 'Silver' - became Koora! Dante was nameless but known unofficially as Mr Bumble.... :o I'm sure we can see why THAT wasn't kept! We haven't had -too much- bad luck ;)
 
Flame_ said:
Can you not borrow the saddle the yard used on him before you bought him? Then if he improves you know for sure its the saddle.
Click to expand...

I will certainly ask - it 'belongs' to the most popular (and most used) horse there, but I'll see if I can find a quiet time to borrow it.

He's on working livery, and I know the new saddle has been used on him in the last few days, so I'll have a chat to them tomorrow to see how he was when ridden by others.

He is so sweet natured, and when he bucked a few times out hacking I didn't even lose my balance but these last two, whatever he did (happened too quickly and no-one witnessed it!) it was meant to get me off. I can only think it's pain.
 
If the yard sold you the horse they should be happy to let you borrow the saddle to try, they won't want the agro of the sale going wrong.

Best of luck getting it sorted quickly. :)
 
Did you have your new saddle fitted properly?

I think you should get his back looked at by a chiropracter first. Its much better to make sure a horse's back is fine before fitting a saddle.

I had my new boy's back checked at beginning of Aug and had the saddle fitter out this week to take measurements for a new saddle. She noticed he was a little tender and asked me to have his back seen to before his new saddle is ready so if he reacts we know its the saddle and not the back pain he already has.
 
Flame_ said:
If the yard sold you the horse they should be happy to let you borrow the saddle to try, they won't want the agro of the sale going wrong.

Best of luck getting it sorted quickly. :)
Click to expand...

No, I'm sure they'd be fine - I'm still using one of their bridles at the moment! They've been very helpful and I'm sure we can get this sorted. I was just a bit of a mess when I got home. The worst that can happen is I have a new pet :D
 
JoJo_ said:
Did you have your new saddle fitted properly?

I think you should get his back looked at by a chiropracter first. Its much better to make sure a horse's back is fine before fitting a saddle.

I had my new boy's back checked at beginning of Aug and had the saddle fitter out this week to take measurements for a new saddle. She noticed he was a little tender and asked me to have his back seen to before his new saddle is ready so if he reacts we know its the saddle and not the back pain he already has.
Click to expand...

The saddler did pick it out and was happy with the fit (it's used), but I think I'm going to tell her it's not suitable. Back lady coming tomorrow.
 
Dont be put off by him getting you off its not your fault you might want to get a second opinion on the way your saddle fits, he wouldn't chuck you off for no good reason.
 
JenJ said:
Yes, I shall be ringing the saddler tomorrow and letting her know - she did say to tell her if there were any problems next time I rode him so I'll try and get a saddle similar to the one he wore when he first arrived. Plus we know his back is a bit sensitive, and the back lady is coming tomorrow morning.

I just had to make a joke out of it and blame the name changing else I'd cry!!!
Click to expand...

So sorry to read this Jen, I totally empathise as you can imagine. However, it does seem to point to the saddle/sore back issue as I'm sure you have rationalised, as he was well tried and tested ahead of you buying him. Understand how disappointing it is for this to happen immediately after buying him. Hope back lady can help and you are soon safely back in saddle. Sure wish I was. Lots of good vibes coming your way, really feel for you :-(
 
I notice you have two jojo's posting on here!! Just to say that with any new horse there is always a point (usually a bit further in) where they try you out. However this does sound like it might coincide with the new saddle. Easy to check with a different saddle and you riding, and the same new saddle and another rider, but try to avoid too many occasions when you and he argue in these early days.
 
***update***

Back lady has seen him today. He's to have a couple of days off, then walking for a couple of days, then gentle walking and trotting until she sees him again in a week or two.

I've spoken to the saddler and warned that we're having issues and the saddle may come back.

I also discovered that at least a couple of other people have come off him too, which makes me think it's nothing personal! I haven't spoken to anyone that's witnessed any falls though, so I still don't know exactly what he's doing.
 
i refuse to change my horses name. i dont like it (ist slowly growing on me)...but its bad luck. ive changed 2 horses names now and both have been bad news!!!

mabey he just needs lots of time to settle in before you ride?
 
JenJ said:
***update***

Back lady has seen him today. He's to have a couple of days off, then walking for a couple of days, then gentle walking and trotting until she sees him again in a week or two.

I've spoken to the saddler and warned that we're having issues and the saddle may come back.

I also discovered that at least a couple of other people have come off him too, which makes me think it's nothing personal! I haven't spoken to anyone that's witnessed any falls though, so I still don't know exactly what he's doing.
Click to expand...

he's a little monkey... :)

good luck with the back lady, i have sent you a long and rambling email... :)
 
i changed 1 of my horses names she came as clarissa so i changed it to kalli 3 weeks later she fell and fractured her pelvis! i wont change names again so i now have a grey gelding stuck with the name chocolate! lol
 
JenJ said:
He's on working livery, and I know the new saddle has been used on him in the last few days, so I'll have a chat to them tomorrow to see how he was when ridden by others.

.
Click to expand...


Is he used to being on working livery or was he a 'one person' horse before you got him? Could be he is fed up being ridden by lots of different people and having a new (uncomfortable?) saddle too.

He may take time to get used to being a 'multiple rider' horse, and he won't know that you are his owner. Can you take him off working livery for a few weeks so that he can bond with you?
 
Sorry to hear you have not had a good start with your new horse, hope things improve. :) but I really don't for the life of me think it has got anything to do with changing his name, although his name was quite a nice one, he's obviously feeling a bit fresh, trying it on, in some kind of pain or something like that, could be all sorts of reasons but changing is name wouldn't be one of them, surely it's just pure coinsidence.

Anyway, change his name back, see if it makes a difference :D
 
Guys I have just bought a really handsome 4 year old Irish Draught named 'Bucket'...Of course I changed his name. He is now Mr Darcy (will update sig when I have more photos) :)

I have changed many horses names without problems and some with. I am not superstitious, we all make our won luck in life is my mind frame ;-)
 
Vixxy said:
Guys I have just bought a really handsome 4 year old Irish Draught named 'Bucket'...Of course I changed his name. He is now Mr Darcy (will update sig when I have more photos) :)

I have changed many horses names without problems and some with. I am not superstitious, we all make our won luck in life is my mind frame ;-)
Click to expand...

Bucket? BUCKET?

Wow. Maybe I wouldn't mind people asking if I named mine after Ronan Keating...!

But yours is lovely x
 
Changing his saddle is the unlucky thing here i'd say, not his name! I changed my boy's name, he was called Andy when I got him which just seemed way too human! He's Archie now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top