freezemarking again.

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Christmas_Kate

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I'm about to book Farmkey out to freezemark, but wanted others opinions on it.

Does it hurt the horse?
Does it really put gyppos off of stealing them?
How long does it take to heal, and do you have to do anything special to the area whilst it's healing?
Does it put judges off if being shown inhand??
 
my lads took about a week before I could ride again as done under the saddle. I dabbed surgical spirit on it and it healed very good. Does not hurt them, it is numbed
 
Mine hit the roof when they were being done! One of them almost blooming killed me!! Seriously.

Maybe these days they are using a better anaesthetic swab though.
 
Springy wasn't overly keen on it but was more her being stroppy than in pain!
I didn't ride for one week and then used a thick numnah for a while. The white hairs are through now (was done 1st week December), I haven't put anything on it. It went quite scurfy and itchy so gently scratched it for her using a soft brush which she appreciated
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I am fairly confident it does deter theives - but I guess if they really want your horse they will take it regardless.
 
There are two companies - I use Freezemark, they are very good, and usually do a 3 digit mark - one less to worry about!

It is uncomfortable for them, I have a bucket of feed around to distract them, but I have never had one resist violently and the marking perosn is pretty good at just following them around with the iron in place if they get restless.

Yes it really is a theft deterrent, and if your horse is taken, or strays, it is very easy to identify. (recovery rate is much higher than for unmarked horses)

I always have mine marked on the shoulder - more visible and you can ride the horse sooner too- you should see white hair growth after 4-6 weeks, you can rug them straight away after marking, if marked on the back they need about 5 days off before being saddled.

Does it put judges off? Not these days I don't think..no more disfiguring than a warmblood brand for example
 
Last time I saw it done (bout 2 years ago) the horse was restless and moved about but didn't panic or leap about or anything. I would agree that it is more uncomfortable than painful from what I saw.
 
My mare was done about twelve weeks ago and she honestly never lifted her head out of a feed bucket while it was being done. There was also a TB (point-to -pointer) done at the same time, he walked a circle for the first couple of letters, then his owner remembered she had prepared a feed for him, again with the feed in front of him he didn't move, just ate. The 2YO who was also done at the same time, walked a circle with each letter, mainly coz he has been vertually unhandled for the last year, and was away from his herd. All three were done out on the yard and held in headcollars, so really don't think it is painful. as they wouldn't have hung around!!!! Unfortunately it doesn't look like one of the letters has work, so Farmkey are coming back out in March to redo free of charge. Didn't do anything to area (the skin isn't broken by the process), my girls didn't even go bald/scabby. Shouldn't affect judging. Don't know how effective it is at stopping them being stolen, but must help you get them back if they are.
 
my spooky mare stood still and was as good as gold when she had hers done a few years ago, if it had hurt her she would have been charging out the stable door!, Used Farmkey, have to pay a yearly registration to keep her files updated though about £12. Original freezemarking cost £50.95
 
Get your horse freezmarked on the shoulder so that it is visible when being ridden and also you will be able to ride it again within a couple of days.
 
Alcohol is an anaesthetic.
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What I mean't was that perhaps they are using stronger solutions these days, hence giving a bit more of the anaesthetic properties.
 
just had a yearling done, had the bucket of grub ready, she didnt flinch at all, dint have to use food for distraction, i must say i have had about 20 horses done over the years and only one has been a bit awkward
 
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