Freezemarking?

[dwi]

Anyone else had their horse freezemarked and found that the horse wasn't happy about it? I had Daisy done today and she really struggled while it was being done and kept threatening to cow kick the technician. The technician was really snooty and cold but surely horses generally complain a bit when they are being done? She's fine to clip and shoe etc but this was much more traumatic for her.

she wouldn't let me anywhere past her head once it had been done so she's gone out for the night rugless because there was no way that she wanted anything on where it is.

How long afterwards did people find they were able to ride their horse? she's not had it done under her saddle, back abit on her hip because that's a black bit and I didn't want her bald marked.

Any stories much appreciated.

 

[allijudd]

our big bo definatly wasnt happy about it and reared twice...however we did have it done under the sadlle pad becuase he is a bay with no other markings....it pealed after 4 days and then he was more comfortable...we didnt ride for over a week....

 

[Daisy11]

mine was done twice because the first time it didnt come out probley and she acted funny for a while
give her some time to get over it
its takes up to 4 to 7 days before you can ride

 

[the watcher]

One of the reasons they aren't usually done on the hip is because it is more dangerous for the operator - so well done to them for sticking with it.

The first one I had done back in the 80's was a grey and bald marked on the shoulder - she put up a bit of a fight and we had to pin her in a corner, but she was fine as soon as the marking was finished. Every one I have had done since might fidget a bit but settles down if distracted with food

Your horse will be fine to ride in a couple of days.

 

[jinxy]

Bit worried now meant to be arranging to get mine done in May, will be getting done on his back.

 

[the watcher]

Really, don't worry. It isn't very pleasant for you because it seems like it must hurt - actually it doesn't, it is just the pressure of the irons pressing down some horses object to. The operators do it every day and can deal with just about anything.

Have a haynet or some food ready to keep neddie distracted, wear a hard hat and gloves and just follow any instructions about holding the horse

 

[Stella]

I had my mare done last month. I guess I was lucky. I worried and asked one of the yard staff to hold her because I didn't want my worry to transfer (If I'm worried, she knows and then she worries)! She was fine though, just kept looking at me with a little concern in her eyes - kind of 'Mum, are sure sure you know what they are doing'? clearly it didn't bother her much though

My friend's gelding was not such a happy bunny, but he just got a bit agitated, evidenced by him trying to eat me whilst I fed him carrots

I don't know if its significant, but my mare was done on her shoulder and my friend's gelding on his back.

I gave her about 5 days off, but it didn't seem to bother her at all from the moment it was finished

 

[gally]

my boy was done a few weeks ago, i just fed him some treats and he was more interested in me than the techician. The only one out of our lot that kicked up a stink was the unbroken mare and i suspect it was more to do with being made to stand still than anything else.

All of ours were rugged and chucked out after no problems

 

[minmax]

My two where done a few weeks ago, a 8 yo and a 2 yo, both fine fed carrots and treats. They didn't like the start of each letter but I itched them like mad and took their minds off it. We had 5 done on the yard, all fine and being ridden/competed after a week off. I would'nt worry about it.
Btw, one was a cremello mare who is very sensitive, shes fine too.

 

[conniegirl]

I had 5 of mine done reacently.
4 stood like angels and didnt twich a muscle, even the nervy arab who normaly thinks he is dieing is he has a small cut on his leg. They didnt realy feel it i dont think 3 were done under the saddle and then one on his shoulder with a bald mark.

the 5th pony went ballistic but then again he is inclined to do that. He realy enjoyed being clipped (strange pony) and stood like a lamb for the first 2 letters then for the 3rd one he reared and span. he soon calmed down when presented with a feed bucket full of food! with a feed bucket under his nose he stood like a lamb for the last letter. he was done on his saddle patch.

All of them had rugs back on immediately but the grey also had an anti rub vest on. All but one were back in work a week later (with a think saddle cloth under the saddle. the one that wasnt back in work had an abcess in his foot and still isnt back in work so honestly couldnt tell you when it would have been fine to ride him.