Horse Names the Behavioral Connection

by Elaine Polny
(Palgrave, Ontario, Canada)

PLEASE CHANGE MY NAME!

I met a horse named Trista in the fall of 2004. Her past was sketchy at best but what we could easily see was she insisted on giving a little buck when asked to canter.

Was it a lack of trust? Or just a lack of understanding of the request? Many had assumed she knew, but did she really? Trying to understand where she had come from left me with a feeling that she certainly was not appreciated up until now. The previous owners were in a divorce, the young daughter wanted nothing to do with this horse therefore Trista was given away to avoid the auction or slaughter house.

I rode her a few times always getting improved results while discovering her loving demeanor. She never wanted to actually throw anyone off, but it felt to me that she did not understand what was being asked of her. I could feel her confusion and I always follow the rule that the horse is always right.

I took her on a trail ride all by herself and she performed beautifully. Not once looking elsewhere for leadership, no separation anxiety, no jigging, no refusals, no nothing! I nearly bought her right then and there. With all this good stuff in there, what then was causing this buck?

It was time for a different kind of communication. Feeling strongly that negative energies had followed her from her previous home and that her name was somehow connected to this negativity, I asked her if she liked her name. I received a strong, flat out "NO" and "Could you please change it soon!" I then asked, "What name would you like?" I received the name Rocket!

Not sure myself if this was coming from me, I wondered if I had ever known another horse with this name. I quickly realized I had not ever heard of it before. Yet this would suit her well because of her eagerness to please so quickly.


I felt a kinship with this horse and wanted to find her someone who would look into her heart to see what I could see.

Along came Jane. A new student excited about learning all about natural horsemanship. We were lucky to be able to start some ground lessons with Trista and their relationship blossomed.

It didn?t take Jane long to learn about Trista?s past and while falling in love with her she now started to consider taking her home. (Knowing that Trista?s fate was hanging on a thin line.)

During our lessons I told Jane what Trista had communicated to me about the name Rocket. Jane wasn?t buying into it just yet (she didn?t like the name at first) and that was okay with me. But what transpired next was something neither of us imagined.

Another friend had started to join our sessions. She had told us that the name ?Trista? in another language means "Bad Girl!" Well that was all we needed to hear to realize why the negative energy was there! Jane then was quite willing to seek a new name for her!

At the end of our session all three of us were standing together in front of Trista, when Jane asked, "Have you heard of the song Rocket Girl? Maybe that?s what we should call her, Rocket Girl!"

Right at that moment Jane looked at Trista to see what she thought. Well Trista gave the biggest lick of her lips which seemed in agreement. We all felt an energy shift or release and then looked at each other and laughed, knowing that Trista had downheartedly agreed.

I felt such relief knowing that we had not only found her a new home but a name she could positively resonate with.

Thanks Trista, we herd what you said!!!!!!

P.S. Her bucking faded away under the care, patience and love from her new owner.