Freezemarks...shoulder vs back?

[bex1984]

Pony is being freezemarked on Sunday, just wondering whether people think it's best to have it done in the area under the saddle, or on his shoulder? I'm just not sure...

He is black by the way!

Any opinions?

 

[samp]

It depennds if you are showing etc. If it is under saddle you will not see it. Also some people do it on the crest of the horses neck

 

[Sooty]

I am in the minority, but freezemarking does hurt when it is done - my two-year-old was not a happy bunny when he was done. Therefore, nobody knows for certain how it is going to feel in the future, so putting it under the saddle is to my mind taking an unnecessary risk with the horse's comfort. Also, if it is on the shoulder it is visible all the time, which makes sense to me. You are not marked down in showing classes for having a freezemark on the shoulder, so that is where I think it should be done.

 

[Jackster]

I had my horse freeze marked about 18 months ago. Had it done on his back (he is also black). I didn't put a saddle etc on his back for a bout 10days. Had no problems and it healed well. Pesonally i prefer it on his back, would have really stood out on his shoulder when showing etc.

 

[Folara]

Gen is a skewbald with a white shoulder so I had it done there. He has a sensitive back anyway (nightmare with saddles in the past) and at least on his shoulder it is more visible. If it was on his back - being white I dont think it would have shown up as much.

 

[Baggybreeches]

Personally I would have the shoulder, just because you dont know until its done how a horse will react, and how the scar tissue will heal.

 

[bex1984]

hmmm I don't do any showing or anything like that. I was going to have it on his back but something is telling me to have it on his shoulder?! don't know whether to trust my instincts on this one...

 

[welshies]

I would deff say the shoulder. Apart from what people have said about the healing etci always thought someone could put a saddle on and put thm through a sale! at least it's always visable, and it is seriously wrong if makes a difference to showing - it's not our faule we have to have it done!! Mine is bay an done on the shoulder and never notice it anymore because you get used to it, it's not as if it defaces them.

 

[Nari]

Under the saddle for mine, I was once told that there's less likelihood of problems there due to the amount &/or type of muscle though I don't know how true that is.

I had my 3yo done yesterday & I don't think he even noticed! I gave him a feed when she got the clippers out & he didn't take his nose out of the bowl for the whole procedure - typical welshie! The other 3 done at the time were ok about it though 2 did object a bit to the clippers. The actual freezemarking didn't seem to bother any of them.

 

[zizz]

Deffo on the shoulder it doesn't matter at all for showing if its visble, the judge won't mark you down, and its visble all the time.

 

[PeterNatt]

On the shoulder as it is visible when being ridden and also you can continue riding your horse.

Nearly every stolen freezemarked horse has been recovered where as most stolen non-freezemarked horses are never recovered.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Shoulder, that said mine was done on her back as that is where she had a suitable black patch.