In the world of livestock naming, children reign supreme, wielding their imaginations like paintbrushes on a canvas of barnyard mischief. From “Twinkle Toes” to “Chicken Nugget,” or even “For Sale,” the names they bestow upon unsuspecting animals can be anything from descriptive to whimsical — and even ridiculous.
Picture this: A passel of cowgirls, their blonde locks catching the sunlight as they charge into the corral with all the enthusiasm of a stampede. Their mission? To dub the newest addition to the family herd with a moniker that would make even the most seasoned cowboy raise an eyebrow.
And so it was, on a day four years ago, that my mare, known affectionately as “June” in the barn, found herself at the mercy of these pint-sized purveyors of chaos. Little did I know, as I watched from the sidelines with a mix of trepidation and amusement, that our equine friend would soon be saddled with a name fit for a Disney queen.
Enter Elsa. Yes, you heard that right. Elsa, the light-haired heroine of Frozen fame whose icy demeanor and penchant for dramatic ballads became the namesake of our newest addition to the herd.
As luck would have it, Frozen II premiered in November of 2019, just three months before our latest mare gave birth in early February. COVID-19 shutdowns hadn’t yet impacted the world, so youth events, including the state’s FFA judging contest, were in full swing, which meant that my family was helping to supply horses for the FFA judging contest happening in the next county over.
The thing that comes along with FFA-aged kids is younger siblings. Just a few days after our cremello filly hit the ground, a passel of 7- and 8-year old-girls unloaded out of a pickup coming to get horses for the contests.
They all rushed to the fence with a glee to see the blue-eyed filly. One of the kiddos shouted “she looks like Elsa.” To which all three blond-headed girls began twirling and singing the hit song Into the Unknown.
I can’t blame them. The song was catchy (although annoying), and Elsa is a strong-willed (if not a little selfish), independent, and capable young woman in the film.
So, despite already having a name, “Elsa” was renamed and dubbed “Spinto the Unknown.” Have you ever tried to fight a three-against-one naming battle against a pack of preteens? It’s not one you’re likely to win.
Call me superstitious, but if you’re going to name a horse “Elsa,” then it’s highly likely that a spicy attitude akin to the character in the movie is a risk you take. It was like the horse was embodying the personality of the famous Disney character.
While the kids thought Elsa was delightfully wonderful in every way, she spent months kicking and beating on her mom until the day she was finally weaned, sometimes to the tune of a young girl’s laughter and always to the singsong of “Spinto the Unknown” belted out at the top of their lungs.
But alas, as the years passed and the fervor of Frozen fever waned, poor Elsa has found herself in a bit of a pickle. No longer the belle of the barnyard ball, her once-majestic name now elicited little more than a wistful sigh from those who remembered the glory days of Disney princesses and a snowman named Olaf.
As teenagers, they may visit the barn, thinking fondly of their childhood antics, or even listen to the horse’s name called over a loudspeaker with a tinge of embarrassment and nostalgia. For, while Frozen was at one time everything from Halloween costumes, to birthday parties, a car ride choice for music, and more, the little cremello mare will find herself stuck with a name that no longer holds the same sparkle.
So here’s to the brave parents who relinquish control of the naming rights, knowing full well the risks involved. May your barns be filled with creatures sporting names, both magical and mischievous. And, apologies to the animals forever stuck with them.
Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.