Pedigree Dynamics News Blog

We recently wrote to the excellent website Breednet in response to their article on the inconsistencies in naming of horses according to the Australia Stud Book's rules. This is what we said... "You and plenty of your readers rightfully point out that the inequity of some famous or contentious names having been disallowed, while others seem to go through to the 'keeper'. What really annoys me though, are the names which are an insult to the animal. While naming can be a fun task and is often undertaken in a group with a few drinks under the belt, these beautiful and graceful animals try their hearts out for us in exchange for feed and shelter. While clever humour is fantastic in a name, it doesn't have to be derogatory. Surely these should be the names disallowed by the Stud Book! A few that come to mind include Giants Headbutt, Hickey Picker, Mean Eyes, The Mules Brother, Shags, Shags Sister, Ugly, Ugly Betty, Ugly Juggly, Coffin Head, Donkey, Donkey Dave, Pig on the Spit, Pushpig, Crabs, Bacon Bits, Fairy King Prawn, Fairy King Scallop, Big Boori, Shove This. And even more so, owners should also be mindful that a lot of these horses (mostly mares) will go on to breed. I don't think Three Legs' name did him many favours at stud and who knows but Jeune King Prawn, Forbytoo, Little Grey Mouse, Shovhog (pictured), Concrete Crusher and Shagny might have served a few more mares to get their careers going if they had more appealing names."