In the song 'Jingle Bells' what is the name of the horse?

junior

Bobtail (Bells on Bobtail ring...) Dec 18 00, 2:58 PM

MonkeyOnALeash

"Bob tails" is a description of the horses' "cropped" tails rather than the name of the horse drawing the sleigh. http://www.carols.org.uk/jing1e_bells.htm Jan 13 08, 6:21 AM

McGruff

I believe the line should actually be, "Bells on bobtail ring," or "Bells on bobbed tail ring," rather than 'Bobtail' being the proper name of the horse. He isn't named 'Misfortune' either. Many sites such as the one above have, "Bells on bob tails ring," but as it is a one horse sleigh, there is only one tail. Bobtail should be one word. If you're going to make it two words then it should probably be "bobbed tail." Bobtail, as one word, is used as a noun to refer to both a bobbed tail or the animal with a bobbed tail. It is also used as an adjective to describe an animal with a bobbed tail. If I'm not mistaken, the tails were often bobbed (cropped or docked) on horses pulling vehicles to keep them from becoming entangled with the reins and brake. Main Entry: bob·tail Function: noun Date: 1605 1 a: a bobbed tail b: a horse, dog, or cat with a bobbed or very short tail; especially : old english sheepdog 2: something curtailed — bobtail or bob·tailed adjective http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/bobtail Jan 13 08, 4:02 PM