Freeze marking and microchipping

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Ladybird

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Hi all

I'm thinking about getting my two either freeze marked or microchipped.

I'd prefer the microchip option as although it's a stupid reason, I don't like the look of freeze marks and wouldn't particularly want one on my mare, and my pony is a fleabitten grey that I just can't imagine one showing up on!

I was just wondering about people experiences of both, and also wondering how much microchipping tends to be? (Specifically, I'm in Derby and use Pool House or Scarsdale vets)

Thanks!
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I have both done - one is seen by all and the other can not be tampered with. I hope that by doing both means that I have every chance possible of recovering them should anyone steal them.

Freezemark is the only thing that makes thieves think twice as far more difficult to sell on, and I have this on good advice from someone who deals with some of the more dubious folks in society.
 
My horsey is microchipped (by previous owner) and I'm booked in to have her freezemarked on Wednesday next week. I've reserved 4 personalised ones! Still can't decide! I'm a bit nervous!! I'm hoping she will stand ok and not be a mare about it!
 
I had my guys microchipped yesterday. It was £15 + VAT for each horse, and that includes registering it on the Petlog thingy. Looking at the back of the Microchip form, I would also now appear to have 6 weeks free insurance - yay!!!

I think with all foals now having to be microchipped, that microchip scanning procedures will improve. I can still see the benefits of freezemarking, but as my one and only experience of that was very negative (horse went ballistic and it had to be abandoned and he was left with a single "W"!!), I haven't had it done yet on my current guys.
 
Both my lads have Microchip and Freezemarks, imo i would rather have the freezemark although I dont like them, I couldnt imagine being without my boys and if it helped just a tiny bit to put someone off taking them or it helped to get them back then its worth it.
The freezemark didnt take long to do at all and both were very good and one is very sensitive at times and after few days both were back and in ridden work, the microchips also did not take long at all.
Its all personal choice at the end of the day but any horse i own will ALWAYS have both.
 
I wouldn't not have them freeze marked for looks, I'd rather they had that than I lost them for any reason!

I also expected microchipping to be much more expensive than that, I'll get that done when the vets out next!
And maybe save up for freezemarking in the mean time! Although I know mine will be a mare about it...
 
I have been involved in the recovery of a number of stolen horses.

A Freezemark can be seen and read by everyone. This means that the horse can be identified. The issue with Micro-chipping is that there are a number of different systems on the market and the scanners of one system will not be able to identify or read the micro-chips of another system.

If you are worried about recovering your horse after it has been stolen then get your horse both Freezemarked and Micro-chipped.
 
Looks is a very stupid reason not to Freezemark. I got my two stolen neds back very quickly - because they were Freezemarked. If they had just been microchipped, in all probability, we would never have seen them again.
With microchipping becoming compulsary for foals, scanning will - in time - become an effective measure, but for now, get a Freezemark.
The majority of horses take it extremely well, even my wussy show pony made nothing of it.
 
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