branding

[billiethekid40]

If a person were really worried about the discomfort to the horse (and I'm assuming there would be some pain, especially with hot branding) could they have a vet out to give a general anestetic to the area before they branded? Like when a person goes for stitches, they numb the area first- could you not have your vet come out at the same time as the person doing the branding and have the spot frozen? I would think this would also help with jumping and smearing the brand as well, if the area was numb, the horse would be less likely to jump wouldn't they?

I wish branding was used around here, because I would not hesitate to brand my horse. For now I have to settle for papers and detailed photos of his markings, which I am sure would do nothing to get him back in a situation like this, nor would it do anything to detract a theif.

 

[just_4_kixx]

The few people who freeze brand around here use a branding iron and dry ice. Once I get my brand registered, I'll get a hold of my vet to have him come out and freeze brand all my animals. A few weeks later I'll need to have the brand inspector come back out and redo all of my brand inspections. Once the horses are branded, the non brand inspections aren't valid.

 

[Lil_Bit_of_Magic]

I do not brand mine :no:

 

[HGFarm]

You know, rather than branding, you could also microchip. I had a horse that was chipped.

 

[slaneyrose]

Just A question for those that know, How is freeze branding done? do they use a stencil? or is it done free hand? Could you use the same stuff that they use to freeze off warts? Inquiring minds want to know! DR.

My freezemark operators use dry ice and alcohol plus a lot of know how on how long to leave the brand on etc. some companies use liquid nitrogen but dry ice is safer. the area is clipped and sprayed with the alcohol then the iron which has been in the ice is applied. This is not done with a stencil but with a brand and no, you cant do it with the stuff that freezes off warts!!!

 

[shane]

IM DEFINATLEY GOING TO LOOKINTO IT, I WANT TO KNOW FOR SURE THAT I CAN IDENTIFY MY HORSE FROM ANOTHER ,GREAT TOPIC!!!

:

 

[just_4_kixx]

Microchips won't protect your horses. Sale yards don't have readers around when they check in horses at sales. And if you knew where the chip is located at, they take 2 seconds to take them out. I didn't know they were that easy to take out, until the brand officer told me about it the other night.

If someone is out to steal a horse 9 out of 10 times they won't touch a horse with a brand. It's to easy to prove ownership on a horse with a brand.

I can say that I've learned the hard way on how to protect your horses. My mare was branded with a hot brand today. I was suprised to see that she's not favoring her front shoulder at all. I'm sure freeze brands hurt less, how ever, that's all they had at the yards. I plan on freeze branding all of my horses, including my mini's.

Thank you for all your kind words and prayers for my mare. She's home safe. Had I not been at the sale Tuesday, she wouldn't be here today.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I would not do it.

I would microchip- it is easy enough to get a scanner, almost every Vet here has one now because all the dogs are micro chipped.

I would never brand, I think it looks awful on a Mini.

I had the Arabs freeze branded but it was a nice, small, number that was not visible when a saddle was on the horse.

That I can live with.

 

[racingfan72104]

all racing thoroughbred are tattooed on the inside of thier upper lip why not brand them that way plus it is hard to change. and would not be visible to the judges

 

[rabbitsfizz]

My dogs are tattooed in their ear but it is very, very difficult to read. I also believe there is a "life" to lip tattooing, after which it needs to be redone.

This would not be a huge problem, but a lot of people would forget.

Microchipping is the way forward- make it law that all auction houses have a scanner and law that ALL horses are scanned on the way in and the way into the ring- it's SO easy to do.

Microchips have their down sides- although they do not move around anymore and are easy to scan they can be "wiped" and another one implanted if your intentions are underhand.

But they are improving all the time and this problem will be solved.

The fact that they are NOT evident goes in their favour as someone stealing the horse would not know the chip was there and so would not attempt to eradicate it.

Then it would get picked up at the sale yard.

I really do hate branding- as said I have had large horses freeze branded and the pain factor is more or less removed, but I just do not like the look of the thing.

If it were the proven method of preventing theft in your area, though, I would not hesitate.

Anything is better than a stolen horse. :no:

 

[shane]

doesnt matter