I’ve loved horses since I was a little girl. I think back on all those years and all the animals that I have encountered during my life. Though I am fascinated by many aspects of equines, the most enthusing part is their names. It never ceases to amaze me the horse names that people select. Here is what goes into a Horse’s Name.

Some might say it’s just as difficult of a decision as naming a child. Some folks prefer to go with current trends and jump on the bandwagon by selecting the most popular titles. Other people prefer names that break the mold and are unusual.

How did you choose your horse’s name? Did you select a physical characteristic like spots or the color of their hide that helped you out? The only bad thing is if you adopt a horse later in life, it’s tough to change their name.

Once a horse has become accustomed to its title, it’s not so easy to alter it. Did you know that some equestrian owners think it’s bad luck to change a name, specifically an animal who has a winning track record?

What Is in a Horse’s Name?

Over the years, I’ve heard all the names from Charlie to Buddy and even White Lightning. However, there was one horse I will never forget. Perhaps it was his name that made him stand out from the rest, or it was his stunning personality.

I went to a horse farm with my uncle to help him select the best horse to train. I thought we would pick out the best equine based on good looks or some other physical characteristic. However, my uncle had a different approach to selecting his horse.

He walked around the pasture and didn’t mingle with any of the animals. There were probably ten out in the field grazing, and he simply waited. I wondered what he was doing because it seemed a bit out of character to pick a horse without interacting with them.

Within a few minutes, a little brown equine with some mild spotting came meandering up to us. He went straight to my uncle and wanted his attention. I remember being mesmerized by the process. My uncle smiled big and said, “this is the horse for me.”

The key was that this horse chose us, or more specifically, it chose him, so that meant he trusted him to lead. Now, we needed the perfect name for our new friend. I thought something like Spot, Cotton, or even Whisper. No, those names weren’t even on my uncle’s radar. He chose Bean.

Becoming Mr. Bean

Honestly, I thought Bean was a dumb name for a horse. However, my uncle was set that the horse’s name was going to be Mr. Bean because he would be a racer. I remember thinking it wasn’t cool enough or clever enough as there were some good names out there; I was wrong.

After we loaded Bean into the trailer, I finally got the courage to protest the name. I wanted something else. My uncle wouldn’t budge, so I asked him why this title was so important to him.

He said there were two reasons why he chose that name. First, the random spotting on the horse reminded him of beans he saw his mother cook over the years. I could see where the horse’s name would match the description of a pinto bean.

Then, the second reason he chose this name was because of the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. I had no clue where he was going with this one, but I was obliged to listen.

From A Mighty Seed Grows A Great Oak

We all know that it takes just a tiny seed to grow something as magnificent as an oak tree. Well, my uncle’s theory was remarkably similar. In the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack traded his mother’s cow for some magic beans.

His mother was upset at his purchase, but he decided to plant the beans. They grew so big and tall that they reached up to the sky. The rest of the story is irrelevant because it was from this theory that my uncle chose the horse’s name.

He believed that Mr. Bean would have magical powers, just like the beans that Jack planted that day. He believed he would grow to be big and strong and break records on the racetrack.

Do you know that Mr. Bean was indeed a champion racer, and he was one of the best horses owned in our family? However, I don’t believe any of this would have happened if my uncle didn’t use the process to select him that he did.

Going Around the Racetrack

I’ve been around the race track a few times in my day. I know all about the horse industry and what happens to those horses after their racing years. Though the horse’s name may be flashed in the racing arena, this lifestyle often takes a toll on their body.

When I started Oak Haven Acres, I wanted to protect those horses who were exhausted and were ready to retire. Often, few places take these animals, but some are mistreated or neglected when they no longer bring home bank.

I wanted to change all those ways by giving these horses a place to live out their retirement years in peace and tranquility. We’re here for the people of North Carolina and surrounding states to provide a safe place for a horse during their golden years.

I just wish I had a place like this when Mr. Bean retired, as I would have loved to spent time with him when he wasn’t so busy on the racetrack. However, we have plenty of room to love your equines and take care of them like our own. At Oak Haven Acres we focus on so many services for the horses we take care of. This includes feeding and boarding care.