If you do not want the ApHC to name your foal, when completing your application for registration, be sure to check the box right above the name choice selection. This option reads:

• Check this box if you DO NOT want the ApHC to name this foal. Unless this box is checked, the ApHC will select a name if your name choices are in use or not acceptable.

In an effort to speed up your registration process, when this box is not checked, instead of putting the registration into a file pending requirements (new name choices) the ApHC will name the foal. We do our best to use a name as close to your first submitted choice as possible. When we cannot find a name close to your first choice, we will use names in the applicant horse’s pedigree.

When applying for name choices, please keep in mind:

• Names cannot conflict with the name of any animal registered with the ApHC, either living or dead.
• Names cannot conflict with any previously reserved breeder, bloodline, or ranch names (listed in Rule 211 of the Official Handbook of the ApHC.)
• Names cannot consist of more than 20 letters and spaces combined. For example SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER is too long; 21 letters and spaces. But, SHAKE YER MONEYMAKER works because it is only 20 letters and spaces.
• Names cannot end in filly or colt.
• Names of famous horses cannot be used.
• Names similar in spelling to names already in use cannot be used.
• Names of famous or notorious people cannot be used unless their notarized consent is filed with the ApHC.
• Names that are suggestive or have vulgar or obscene meanings cannot be used.
• Names that are similar in pronunciation to any of the above cannot be used. For example, there is an animal registered with the name MISTER BIG DEAL, so the names MR BIG DEAL, MSTR BIGG DEAL, MR BIG DEEL, etc. cannot be used because they sound like the original name. However, IMA MR BIG DEAL, or HEZA MISTER BIG DEAL, or I AM MISTER BIG DEAL, or CALL ME MR BIG DEAL could be used because they do not sound like the original name.
• Numbers, including Arabic and Roman, punctuation marks such as apostrophes or hyphens and special characters such as dollar signs or percentage signs cannot be used.

Members can log into www.appaloosa.com to see if name choices are in use. Remember to spell the name several different ways to verify that the name choice is not used with a different spelling that sounds like your choice.

A horse’s name can be changed by the registered owner, only if there have been no get or produce registered to that animal, if it has not started in a recognized race, if it has no performance record or any ACAAP merits, and if its name has not been listed in a Stud Book.

To change the name of a registered animal, return the Certificate of Registration to the ApHC along with the new name choice, and a$100 name change fee. If the horse is more than one year old, four current color photographs of the horse including both sides, a direct face, and a rear view are also required.

The new certificate will show the former name as well as the new name on the back of the certificate.