Freeze Branding on minis

[dgrminis]

With all the talk lately of microchipping I am wondering if anyone freeze brands or hot brands their minis? I have also heard of people tatooing them in the lip like they do race horses so just wanted to get some feedback on what people prefer.

Just would like to get some feedback in the poll as to what people perfer and if you want to say why that is great also

Thanks!

 

[Sarah's Little Blessings]

Hey what an awsome poll!!! I have not Freeze Branded yet, but have taken it into consideration, if we ever HAVE to have an Animal Identification System(however I hope we don't

), but I will not microchip! Tattoing, hmmmmmm, I had an appy who had a tatoo, as she was just breeding stock, and they require that to show, didn't see it done, but I have heard its painful.

Edited to add:, actually though, I pick..........none

 

[dgrminis]

We have talked about freeze branding if we have to brand as we hot brand our cattle but dont want to do that to the horses - it isnt very pleasant

But would be easy enough to use the same freeze brand for the cattle if we did it for the horses except I think I would want a smaller brand for the minis than what a full sized cow gets

On Tattooing -- I know that they do it to rabbits and goats and I have seen it -- my understanding - dont know if it is right but my understanding of it is that it is like a twitch almost -- you just put the ink on the tatooer and basically pinch the lip with it for a few seconds and when you release you have a tattoo..

So I am VERY interested to see what others think that way if we have to pick a route to go we can -- seems like it would be nice to have them all identified to proove that they are yours -- other than papers

 

[Sarah's Little Blessings]

We have talked about freeze branding if we have to brand as we hot brand our cattle but dont want to do that to the horses - it isnt very pleasant

But would be easy enough to use the same freeze brand for the cattle if we did it for the horses except I think I would want a smaller brand for the minis than what a full sized cow gets

On Tattooing -- I know that they do it to rabbits and goats and I have seen it -- my understanding - dont know if it is right but my understanding of it is that it is like a twitch almost -- you just put the ink on the tatooer and basically pinch the lip with it for a few seconds and when you release you have a tattoo..

So I am VERY interested to see what others think that way if we have to pick a route to go we can -- seems like it would be nice to have them all identified to proove that they are yours -- other than papers

Yep, I believe you are right on tattooing, or at least that is how it was explained to me...

 

[minimule]

One of my friends freeze brands all her horses, bigs and minis. It is virtually painless. The little mule we just transported had just been branded and you couldn't even tell. The hair becomes white.

 

[dgrminis]

My husband said that "cost wise" it would be more cost effecient to do the tattooing and also a benefit of that is that not everyone would look at a lip if they were stealing a horse or something like that whereas a brand would be really noticable.... I know last time I was in TSC I looked at the tattooers and they were like $50-$60 -- and then I am sure you have to buy extra letters or numbers if you needed them and ink but really that isnt much considering what it could be.

On a hot brand (which I couldnt see doing to a mini but have seen horses with hot brands) I dont think they are too expensive as you just have the initial cost and then can use it over and over again.

On Microchipping - from what I read from the other posts you are looking at $40-$50 a horse which can add up quick and if you dont have a system to read it doenst do you alot of good (not coming down on chips for those who like them - I will be honost and admit I dont know alot about them but have been following the other postings to learn).

And then on freeze branding I just assume it is expensive as you have to store the liquid nitrogen and you have to get it -- which it isnt just something you can pick up at walmart (at least I dont think- haha) and I would assume that you have to add it or change it every so often when you use it..

Thoughts ideas on any of that???

(I feel like I am hogging the post)

 

[angel_cowgirl]

I don't know anything about any of these procedures but I think mircochipping sounds interesting.

Obviously microchipping wouldn't be visible, but the others that are, is it legal to show that horse in our registries? Who know why I thought I heard one time that brands weren't allowed in one or both registries..??... No idea why I thought that though.

I only ask because it would seem unfortunate if that is or ever did become an issue in the registries for a farm to always do that and have awesome horses but someone who bought their horses could never show it..

 

[nightflight]

If you are talking about stolen horses, microchipping and tattoos would be the best idea ever --- if someone would check for them.

Been there. Done that. Health papers are usually checked at auctions. Registration papers will not be checked. Some horses may be scanned for microships, but I've never seen it happen. I've been on both sides of the story with having a horse stolen and purchasing a horse that didn't match her papers. Both times the "officials" were nothing short of *insert what you know I want to write here*.

Sorry for the unhappy thoughts, but if it's not checked for a chip or tattoo won't help you get your horse back. Worst case is that horses for slaughter here in the US were (supposed to be) scanned. Now that they are all being shipped out of the country...?

 

[Charlotte]

I hav considered freeze branding over microchipping. I continue to hear of problems associated with chipping and it does virtually nothing to deter theft which would be my main goal.

I had arabs freeze branded in the past and it was a simple procedure with the horse not exhibiting any discomfort from the procedure.

Angel cowgirl, I am not aware of any rules against showing branded horses in AMHA. Check your rule book.

Charlotte

 

[R3]

Freezebranding, the way it is done with Arabs, with number symbols representing their registration number, that is along the crest, usually under the mane, would not be a concern for showing.

However, the AMHA rule book clearly states that neither the handler, horse, nor equipment may exhibit a farm name or logo. (The only exceptions are the Heavy Harness classes.) I do not believe that AMHR has the same rule.

A freeze brand that represents 'your farm' is not, by my interpretation allowed, as it is a logo on the horse. You are not allowed to have a concho with your farm logo, so I don't see how a freezebrand with a logo/symbol representing a particular farm would be allowed either.

I have heard that people have seen horses shown in AMHA with these type of brands. All I can say is that I believe it was because no one protested. I would protest if I saw a horse being shown with a logo type brand in an AMHA show. The Arab type of brands would not violate the rule and should be OK with any registry. A 'farm' brand would not.

I personally would love to see the Arab type of brands become the 'norm'. The added benefit is that they can identify an INDIVIDUAL horse, because they use their registration number, so they would meet the animal ID requirements. If they became the 'norm', thieves and buyers would know to look for them. It would deter the thieves, and buyers could match the horse to their papers when there may not be other identifying markings. They could also positively identify one 'plain black horse' from another on larger farms or if a horse owner died and next of kin had to differentiate the horses.

 

[Becky]

I think what Angel Cowgirl is referring to is one of our mares with the breeders farm logo freeze branded on her hip. Agree with R3, that likely wouldn't be allowed in an AMHA show ring.

I do think freeze branding with the horses registration number done in symbols as in the Arabian Horse Registry would be the best theft deterrent.

 

[Davie]

Agree with Becky, Freeze Branding. I owned arabians before minis and the freeze branding recommend by the AHR was great, painless and most times under the mane.

First arabian I ever had done, happened to flinch when the iron was placed and the last two digits got double marked. The technician took numerous photos of the new mark while it was still fresh for the registry records. Shortly after that folks from the registry came out to take further photos of the mark once the hair had grown back in so they had photos of the marking with the hair grown and shaved off.

The reason for this is a freeze mark can't be alter and when the horse flinched and double marked they wanted evidence that the mark happened at the time of branding and had not been altered at a later date.

If I could find someone that would do my herd at a reasonable cost, I'd have everyone one of them done. Since the Registration number is represented by a series of angles and is different on every horse it is not a logo.

I do belive, if memory serve, brands are not show disqualifying as I used to compete against a gelding that had a large hip brand. I hope Tony sees this thread and will let us know about the showing aspect of a brand that is not hidden under the mane.

Since this has been brought up I may contact my friend who still owned arabians and see who the contractor is that does the freezemarking for the registry and see what it would cost to have the herd done.

 

[SHANA]

I had a arabian mare born in 1984 who had the arabian brand under her mane. I have a picture somewhere of it. I had that mare 12 years and sadly had to put her down in 2003 at age 19. I own 2 of her daughters though. I also have a mini mare with a number 5 on her side. You can see a picture of her on my website. Her name is Minni Spark Black Blinker No 5.

 

[nluszcz]

What about shows where the mane is either braided, banded, or roached?

I chip; I freeze brand all of our recip mares, and would seriously consider freeze branding my personal horses AS YOUNGSTERS. I won't brand an adult out of principle (that I personally own). I don't think the pain is worth it to me.

I won't hot brand, freeze branding is much less painful and looks far cooler anyways.