Freeze Marking - advice/ info please?

[LL85]

Hi everyone,

I'm having my 20yro chestnut (with roan flecks) mare freezemarked in a weeks time. I've decided to get this done, as people have reported thefts/ threats in our area and I'm hoping this will be the most visible deterrent should anyone try and steal her (heaven forbid!).

I am definitely getting it done, as it is more obvious than a chip but I just wondered what the process is? Is it a hot or cold stamp? How long does it take to heal etc? where would you recommend getting it? (I thought on her shoulder?)

I've just googled some images and it looks very painful and sore, poor love, i already feel sorry for her but needs must.

Advice on how it works please?
Thanks very much, LL <font color="purple"> </font>

 

[Kallibear]

freezemarking is done with seriously cold stamps.

It certainly doesn't seem painful but I suspect it's uncomfortable, akin to pressing an icecube to your skin.

It takes way longer than I expected. They do each letter/number seperatly and hold it on for a full minute, poss more. Makes a huge dent in their back for a couple of minutes!

It's meant to be rideable after a week but my pony has scabby skin for a good month afterwards and I wouldn't have been happy riding him (unbroken so not a prob). It doesn't break the skin or bleed, it just causes the top layers to die then scab off, with the heir growing back white.

You can have it done either on the back (most common) on the neck (always visable unless they have a long thick mane) or on the shoulder. Always on the left hand side. You can get the standard 4 digit combo, you can pay extra for your own combo or you can have just a horse shoe to show they're microchipped.

It apparently is a HUGE detterant from stealing horses, though less so if they are rugged. They are almost always recovered if they are stolen.

 

[Donkeymad]

Freezemarking, as the name suggests, is done with Freezing cold irons. The maximum time on the skin is one minute. It is best to have it done on the shoulder for visibility reasons, and this will also allow you to ride quicker.
Well done for getting it done. Two of mine were stolen last year, we truly believe we got them back within 12 hours due to their freezemarks.

 

[the watcher]

I have had every horse of mine freezemarked since it was introduced in the 80's.

It may be uncomfortable for the horse, but the freezing cold irons also have a local anaesthetic effect. there will be some puffiness around the marks for 24 hours or so, after that you should not see anything spectacular and eventually the marked hair will grow out white.

I always have mine marked on the shoulder so that the mark can be seen even with tack on, and they should be fine to be ridden if marked on the shoulder after 48 hours

 

[Taffyhorse]

Mine was done at the beginning of December under his saddle. The lady from Farmkey was brilliant and very good with him (he can be a bit of a tit but gave him some grub and he was fine) - she held each iron for approx 30 seconds. I gave him 5 days off ridden work as it was swollen for a few days but its fine now. Has scabbed a bit but not much. The mark hasn't really come up yet but he is generally quite late to change his coat so I'm hoping it will become more visible at that point.

 

[KarynK]

[ QUOTE ]
It apparently is a HUGE detterant from stealing horses, though less so if they are rugged. They are almost always recovered if they are stolen.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you paint your freeze brand number on your rug it makes it clear even in winter that the horse is marked and may also prevent rug theft.

 

[Dogstar]

I went with Freezemark Ltd, they allowed me to choose marks with only 2 digits- looked better plus less of a trial for the horse! I had my boy marked on the shoulder because a, he is grey so will need bald marking which isn't done on the back and b, occasionally it can go wrong and leave the horse with a tender back- not good!!

 

[LL85]

Thanks to everyone for all of your kind replies. I should have guessed it was applied cold! (duh!). She has a roan left shoulder - would they do it on her right side? She has roan flecks on most of her body - they have increased with age.

Great idea about marking rugs. I will do this once I have her mark done.

I am dreading it but will be relieved once it is done and healing.

Thanks to all.
LL85