Freezemarking greys

dressager

dressager

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I am yet to get my new boy freezemarked (at moment his main identifying mark would be his breed brand). BUT I have not noticed many grey competition horses with a freezemark on their shoulder? Does that mean they are all micro-chipped instead?

It is a pain that greys can't be done in the saddle area. I would be interested to hear from other owners of greys, who might compete in dressage or showing.
 
My grey was freezemarked last week, on her shoulder. I understand as they have to remove all the hair it can't be on the saddle patch. They have to hold the irons on for longer to completely kill the hair follicles. It can't be uncomfortable though as she is rather opinionated but stood like a rock.
I think it can be done under the mane?
Theoretically it shouldn't effect their showing chances, but I've never seen a top show horse with a freezemark!
 
Yes my grey was marked on the shoulder as greys cannot be done on the saddle area as the hair follicles are killed, leaving a bare area.

IMO showing horses should not be penalised for a FM, but at the same time, rosettes for showing should come 2nd to security. Sorry to be harsh.

I am not aware of FM on greys going under the mane. Try contacting the company.
 
I know a number of greys with either freezemarks or brands (including my horse's freezemark) and none of them have come out right. The Danish Warmblood I know has a brand that is only visible at certain times of the year or when he's been washed off. Not much use IMO. My horse's freezemark is almost un-readable. If I had an un-identifiable grey I'd rather have it chipped TBH.
 
My Grey is freezed marked at the base of her neck just under the mane. Was absolutely fine all the while she was dappled, but as each year passes and she gets lighter and lighter it fades more and more.
The foal I bred from her is microchipped instead (had to be for Weatherby's registration), much easier although obviously not visible.
With regards to showing, my mare competed at Hickstead and loads of county shows and we never got marked down for it.
 
My grey, well blue and white is freezmarked on his shoulder. He is also chipped though to be extra safe. I do compete him in showing, fare enough not county level but... I have had lessons and clinics with top showing people and they have said nothing about his FM either.

I agree with hb6 about security coming before the rossettes. If you have a good horse, you have a good horse I cant see a discreet FM getting in the way of that.

If you go to a big show and watch the coloured classes you see freezmarks all over the place in their dark patches!
 
Thanks for the replies :-)
Yes, a lot of the freezemarks on greys don't come out very well, some are totally unreadable. I just never see horses competing at affiliated dressage with freezemarks on the shoulder (or maybe they are just too difficult to see!).
Hmm, maybe I will go down the microchip route, seeing as he already has his Westphalian brand (again, pretty difficult to work out).
 
PS
My grey had to have his FM done 3 times as he has the hide of a rhino.

I clip the FM area to make it clear he has a FM and to deter would be thieves.

He is also chipped, that isnt obvious. I know you can get a FM to indicate a chipped horse which is a compromise.
 
We have a grey we bought last year with a freeze brand on his saddle area
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you can't really read it but you can see it when he has his summer coat.
 
I had my dapple grey mare freezemarked some years ago now. Her Freezemark was about perfect. They must be clipped during the winter though.
 
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