Name That Quarter Horse!

Your new Quarter Horse foal that everyone has been calling “Doofus” needs an official registered name. What’s allowed? What’s not allowed? The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Rule Book is the definitive answer, but here are a few general guidelines:

• The name may be derived from the foal’s pedigree, but this is not required.
• The name can’t be longer than 20 characters including spaces and numbers.
• Numerals can be added to the end of a horse’s name. A space must be included between the last word and the first number. Example: Jetstream Flyboy 747.
• The name must not contain punctuation marks. Example: Mikes Mellow Melon is okay; Mike’s Mellow Melon is not okay.
• No suggestive, lewd, or profane names are allowed.
• To name a horse after a celebrity, you must have written permission from that celebrity.
• The name of a deceased horse may be used subject to certain restrictions such as being certain the deceased horse had never competed in AQHA races or events and currently has no offspring younger than 10 years of age.

Though there is a tradition that it’s bad luck to change a horse’s name, owners can easily change the registered name of a horse at any time as long as the horse has never competed in an AQHA-approved race, show, or other event; has not earned a special achievement award; has not earned money with the AQHA or an affiliate; and has never appeared in an AQHA breeding document. An owner may send a list of one or more new names and the AQHA will approve the first choice that meets all requirements.

To check the complete list of naming rules for Quarter Horses, see the AQHA Rule Book or contact the AQHA at 806-376-4811.