What are the Names of Carousel Horses?

A little known fact about the carousel is that there are different names for different styles of carousel horses! Merry-go-round operators in the UK use these names when discussing the fairground ride with one-another, such as during maintenance, sales, business acquisitions, networking and more.

Carousel horses with three or all four of their feet touching the floor are called 'standing figures.' Horses their front feet in the air and their back feet on the floor are 'prancers'. Those with all their hooves in the air are 'jumpers', and these also move up and down.

Best of all, some carousel horses even have their own special names! For instance, below you can see Stevie the carousel horse.

Standing Figures

As you can see below, this Standing Figure has three of its feet on the ground.

Prancers

As the below carousel horse as two hooves in the air, it is called a Prancer.

Jumpers

This merry-go-round horse has all four feet in the air and is thus a jumper. It moves up and down on the pole.

Find out more fascinating facts about carousels in our FAQs!

Carousel Horses Do Not Have One Universal Set of Names

There is no standard list of names shared by the horses on every carousel. Individual historic carousels, manufacturers, owners or operators may have names associated with particular figures, while on other attractions the horses may simply be distinguished by their appearance or position.

For the wider story of how these attractions developed, What Is the History of the Carousel? looks at the carousel itself rather than the names attached to individual figures.

Individual Horses Can Still Have Their Own Identity

Even when a carousel horse does not have a formal name, it may be easy for regular riders to recognise. Different poses, colours, saddles, bridles and decorative details can make individual horses visually distinct.

This craftsmanship is closely connected with the wider decorative tradition explored in What Is the History of Fairground Art?.

Why Are Carousel Horses Decorated Differently?

Variation helps turn a rotating collection of ride figures into an attraction with considerable visual character. Elaborate painting and ornamentation can give riders a favourite horse and make choosing where to sit part of the experience before the carousel even starts moving.

Traditional Victorian Carousel demonstrates the continuing connection between decorative design and the traditional carousel experience.

Not Every Carousel Even Uses Horses

Although horses are strongly associated with carousels, the basic ride format can support many different passenger figures. Different attractions have used vehicles, animals and themed characters, particularly on rides designed for children.

Children's Victorian Carousel, Carousel Train Ride and Children's Horse Carousel show how the carousel and merry-go-round concept can be interpreted in different ways.

Named Horses Can Become Part of a Carousel's Own Story

Where individual horses have acquired names, those names may form part of the history of that particular attraction rather than carousel tradition generally. This distinction matters when researching an old carousel because a name associated with one ride should not automatically be applied to a similar-looking horse elsewhere.

Funfair History FAQs provides further routes into fairground heritage, while What Is the History of the Funfair? places individual attractions within the broader development of fairground entertainment.

Favourite Horses Can Create Traditions of Their Own

Families may repeatedly choose the same horse because of its colour, position or decoration. Over time, personal traditions and stories can become associated with particular figures, even when they are not part of the documented history of the carousel.

This also helps explain why carousel horses feature so prominently in fairground folklore and why decorative details can become almost as significant to visitors as the mechanics of the ride.

Explore the Carousel Beyond the Horses

The horses are only one element of a carousel. The attraction also brings together circular movement, mechanical systems, lighting, artwork and traditional fairground design. How Are Funfair Rides Powered? provides more background on ride power, while Carousel FAQs covers further questions about carousels.

You can also browse carousels and traditional & vintage fairground rides & attractions, continue through our Guides, or contact us about traditional fairground attractions for an event.