Freezemarks - some queries?

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sugarpuff

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I am considering freeze marking my boy but have got a few queries. At the moment he is a dark steel/dapple grey (4.5 years old) but is obviously going to get lighter. I've never seen a freeze marked grey, will you be able to see it as his coat gets lighter? Also, who does it and how much does it cost? Does it hurt them or do they give them a local anesthetic before hand? Where is the place to do it on their body? Do I choose the mark or it just random? And does it actually deter thieves?
Cheers!
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If it is likely that your horse is going to grey out completely the mark will be done on the shoulder as a bald mark. This means that the irons are left on for longer to completely kill the hair follicles. It must be done on the shoulder as there is a greater chance or irritation or imcomplete healing if done under the saddle patch.

the freezing process on the irons gives a local anaesthetic effect, some horses dislike the pressure applied during the procedure. Marks are random unless you pay a little extra for a personalised mark - you can get all the details from the Farmkey and Freezemark websites
 
I had my dark grey freezemarked by Freezemark Ltd., because you can choose your own personalised mark and have only 2 digits rather than 4. I had my boy white- marked on the shoulder with a view to bald marking him as he gets lighter. (Bald marks cannot be done under the saddle). Now he is 9, I will soon have to have him re-marked. The operators do not sedate; you normally just distract the horse with feed. I would say it is a good deterrent.
 
For greys they can do it so that a bald patch for each letter or number is left.
Not ideal maybe under the saddle, but it works.

Its done by freezing so apparently not so painful, but you can see it smarts on the horses expression and the way they dip their backs.
I think it does deter thieves. Mine is micro - chipped but not half so effective unless there is the likelihood of the horse being exported.
 
You can't have greys freezemarked on their saddle area Storminateacup, only their shoulder.

OP it defintely deters thieves. And if a freezemarked horse gets stolen they normally dump the horse when they see the mark. The recovery rate is very high, definitely worth getting your horse done for peace of mind.
 
I had my three done last week, and found the whole experience pleasant! I had my concerns too and kept nearly wimping out but none of the horses experienced any distress or difficulties. On a grey you will need to have it done on the shoulder. Mine were all done under the saddle area. I think lay off from work is around a week ( mine are youngsters or turned away - so didnt apply in my case). Costs approx £50 per horse and I am very glad I had it done.

I think it is the most effective theft deterrent going as its a visable mark and there is no disguising it. Mine are microchipped too.
 
I ALWAYS have mine done. My first, a dapple grey, was bald marked on the shoulder. It does need to be clipped in winter. After having two of mine stolen earler this year, and recovered very quickly, I am totally convinced that it is worthwhile doing. When Freezemarks are done on the wither area, they will need seven days off work, when on the shoulder, no time off. I ppesonally prefer freezemark.biz.
 
i had my boy marked under saddle a few years back after a thief scare! a few at our yard were done but unfortunately the mark on both my boy and my friends arab didnt develop properly (the letter D on both the horses looked like backwards C's!) so the woman came back out a couple of months later to re-do them (its a right drama cos they have to try to get the iron in exactly the same place as before!!!) it was a lot worse the second time as the horses wouldnt stand still and knew what was coming.... the arab was trying to rear and my boy just kept turning in circles with the woman having to attempt the keep the irons in place for about 30seconds! This leads me to think that it cant be a nice feeling for them, i doubt its painful probably just uncomfortable due to the extreme cold! the marks are ok now, a little smudged on my boy but its readable and it serves as a visual deterant more than anything so it doesnt really matter what it says i dont supppose! i do have to clip mines mark in winter cos he gets so hairy it looks a mess! I personally think that £50 for peace of mind is a bargain, also its cheaper if a few horses get done at once and i got a discount for being with nfu insurance! I pay an annual membership to farmkey of about £13 but my friend doesnt bother cos she just wanted it as a deterant so doesnt necessarily want their services if he goes missing! each to their own, i like the peace of mind!
 
Heres a grey with a bald mark - hers had to be done twice

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As you can see, from a distance, its not particularly obvious, and people don't really comment on it.

It does give me peace of mind, but shes a bugger to catch, which probably gives me more peace of mind! My other one is microchipped, and I'm debating getting her marked....
 
I used Freezemark to have my boy done and I can't fault them. Their customer service has been great and the lady that came out was lovely. You can choose your own freezemark with them (as you probably can with Farmkey) for an extra cost or just go with whatever they next have on their list which costs nothing extra.

I was dreading the day and was feeling guilty that I was going to be putting my horse through pain, but he didn't even react one iota! I made up a nice bucket of chaff, apples and carrots and he nose-dived straight into that! I would definitely advise you to give your horse something to much on as a distraction, especially as it sounds like a bald mark is required which takes slightly longer.

With regards to who to go with for the marking, I think they all offer the same, and you hear good and bad about both the major operators. I would say look at their websites, give them both a call to chat through the options and go with your gut instinct as to who you'd prefer. Hope it all goes ok!
 
Thanks guys! Really useful info, I think I will get him done soon. Will check out the web sites and sort something out. His passport is off having change of owner details updated so once thats back he'll be chipped and branded! He can be a bit of a monkey to catch sometimes, and although annoying if I'm in a rush I don't mind too much!
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Ta muchly!
 
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