Freezemarking

RubysGold

RubysGold

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This may be a bit of a dumb post, but I know nothing of freezemarking, but think it could be a good thing to get done.
So does it hurt an older horse?
Does the vet do them, or does someone else?
What sort of cost would I be looking at?
Does she need to be microchipped first?

Any more information would be good too.
 
Hi,

I had my horses done, a long time ago now, but it was fine and they didn't bat an eyelid :) .
A small patch of hair is clipped and then very cold stamps are applied. Your horse will need just a few days off work afterwards, depending on where the freezemark is.

Take a look at the Farmkey website for more info www.farmkey.co.uk
It's worth getting it done:)
 
Hi, had Red done the other week and the lady was brilliant.
I don't think the age of the horse matters
I had someone from Farmkey out to come and do mine
Around £50, extra if you want a personal one
No, they don't need to be microchipped first
Basically they superchill brass in liquid carbon dioxide then place it on the skin for a few minutes, I think Red was a bit fed up cos mum brought him in really early but he did fidget a bit
More info here :)
http://www.farmkey.co.uk/farmkey/
 
I'm your man, so to speak, as I did so much research its untrue before my yearling was done...

Firstly, it IS a good thing to get done and there is absolutely no reason why you shouldnt get it done.

It doesnt hurt an older horse any more than a younger one, so long as they're not really really really young. It shouldnt hurt at all, as it just kills the pigment in the skin - however, it does feel uncomfortable, and some are more figgety than others.

There are two main companies, Freezemark and Farmkey. I went with Farmkey, because Freezemark were really bad at getting back to me (as in, they didnt at all). Both are great, have heard bad experiences on both sides but the lady that came to me from Farmkey couldnt have been more impressive.

You would only need the vet if you wanted to have your horse sedated. I didnt with my youngster, but if your horse was extremely sensitive, or scared of new people, you may want to have him sedated just to save time - and your toes!

Its about £55 to have one horse done (less if you're having multiple horses done). Its about £20 for a personalised mark (for example, mine is PUZ3 for my horse, Puzzle). However some marks arent available as they only use the code once, so for example PUZ1 was gone when I wanted it! =[ They, and I, would recommend then joining their recovery service thing - basically if your horse is stolen, they produce posters, ring the ports, slaughter houses, etc etc, so it makes your job easier. You don't HAVE to join - but I would. Its about £50 for 5 years (but thats massively discounted I believe the more years you take it for).

They don't have to be microchipped, you can get a mark done that shows that they are microchipped but you don't have to if they are.

Hope that helps!
 
Ive always used Farmkey , the last horse i had done was 3 years ago , prices i paid below .

£47.62 to freezemark

£21.23 for my personal freezemark ..... B0NZ

£31.45 i paid for 4 year membership

total £100.30
 
I used Farmkey. We had a few breakins on the yard and I became paranoid- espes after one of the dogs was injured. So we had the non sale horses done. We didnt do "personal plates" as the cost would have been huge but all ours are a number a long! Was quick and easy.

Only thing I wasn't too keen on is we have a few duns and one had a shoulder mark but he is darker than another that had a saddle mark?! too late now though!
 
It doesn't hurt them, they can find it uncomfortable/an odd sensation but I think that is more how much pressure they put on the markers. The cold numbs the area almost immediately anyway.
G didnt even lift her head out her bucket and she is really sensitive! lol
I used Farmkey and couldn't have been more impressed. it cost me just over £100 for a personalised freezemark and 5 years membership (one year comes included with freezemark then we brought another 4)
Very well worth it :)
 
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