Freezmarking

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Crazy_cat_lady

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Am seriously considering having this done.

Although he is 15 just think it would be worth doing- yo has given permission as i have him on full loan from her.

Am just wondering- how long does it take as am going to need to book vet to sedate him as there is no way he will let them near him without as he is a nervous t*t!!

***HAVE JUST REALISED I SPELT TITLE WRONG- SORRY AM NOT CONCENTRATING!***
 
I rang today, and have the agent coming out on sunday to do Shy (got another thread going on this if you want to check). You just need to check with any local company and get an appointment to suit you and your vet - unless the vet will give you ACP tablets ?
 
I had my mare done in 2003 only remember because it has 03 in it but I wouldnt bother if i were you? I think microchipping is much better! I defo wouldnt be paying for someone else horse to be done!

It was horrible, coz my mare is dun it was supposed to be held on longer so the hair didnt grow back but she moved away so much that they lady couldnt hold it on long enough, so it shows up when clipped but not so good in the summer! I really don't see the point these days!

but some people say its a good thing to put people off stealing them!
 
shysmum said:
again, read my thread re theft - lots more advice on it, and made my mind up to go ahead straight away :)
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Have just been reading it :)

Have been considering it for a while, just havent got round to doing it and the sedation costs etc. Your thread convinced me to go for it and ignore the costs!

Not sure how to do multiple quotes but re ACP suggestion- unfortunately he is very nervous and touch sensitive and doesnt like new people so unfortunately think i will have to pay for sedation as dont want to risk Freeze mark people turning up and him not letting them get near him! He is also the sort that may let you do one letter, realise what was happening and not let them do the others!
 
I am hoping that Shy will be ok, but I do have a tube of sedalin sedative at the yard for emergencies, so I will report back (complete with pics of course).;)
 
i know it was a while ago but im pretty sure they do all the letters at the same time! can't quite remember but i know she'd have not stood still for 3 of them! maybe they slotted the letters and numbers into a holder type thing to do it?
 
I would have it done, its a visual deterent. My girl does not like anything being done to her but have to say she was fine when we had it done. You can also pay a little extra and have letters of your own choice done. I had went for EBS, short for Ebony.
 
Had my horse done last year and all was fine. Would def recommend Farmkey. I gave him a bit of sedalin which vet was happy for me to give and it chilled him out nicely :)

They did the letters seperately and it took about 15 mins I think- didn't seem long anyway. I'm sure it'll be fine and nice to have piece of mind.
 
Just been made to feel a bit of a numpty by someone at yard for having it done :o

I thought it was worth it but am now wondering if it is :confused:

Would just like to think I'm doing the most i can to keep him safe!
 
Freeze marking is only a deterrant for thieves, it is not a guarantee of safety. But if Shy got stolen, I need to know that I have done everything I can, short of locking him up 24/7.

Horsey peeps will never agree on everything, and that is a fact, lol. :)
 
me&Harvey said:
Just been made to feel a bit of a numpty by someone at yard for having it done :o

I thought it was worth it but am now wondering if it is :confused:

Would just like to think I'm doing the most i can to keep him safe!
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Please don't feel like a numpty, freezemarking is the singlemost effective deterrent against theft and a very good way to identify a horse without requiring any scanning equipment. I have had all mine marked over the years.

It is absolutely worth it.

I have dealt with mine differently according to the nature of the horse, the mare was done with no sedation or twitching, the colt was sedated by the vet as he was strong and feisty. My two year old was done last week with a little Sedalin and a twitch - many horses are happy to just be distracted with some food! It is very quick and the operatives have seen all kinds of horses and behaviours!
 
Of course it's worth having it done - as ^^ said, it is the only visual deterrent - if you get a horse microchipped then the thief will only know it's chipped once they've taken it, and you hear all these horror stories about microchips being cut out of horses.
What did the person say? I don't "get" what there is to not like about a freezemark - you're doing your best to protect one of the most precious things in your life and reduce the chance of somebody taking that away from you. Some people think that freezemarking makes the horse less pretty, but I'd prefer to have a horse that had 3 letters on its back than an empty stable where my horse used to be.
There have been many cases of yard/field thefts, where several horses have been taken but the freezemarked ones have been left - yes, freezemarks *can* technically be hidden by hair dyes and paints, but if a thief could take a horse without that hassle, then they would do.
You can also paint the freezemark onto any rugs the horse is wearing, so it's always obvious. It's best to have it done on the shoulder so that it's visible at all times and can't be hidden by a saddle (and if the worst came to the worst and your horse was taken, then the mark can be spotted in event or classified ad photographs)
My gelding is a very nervous type, sounds a bit like how you described your loan horse - doesn't like strangers, doesn't particularly liked being touched! - I was so worried about getting him freezemarked, was sure he'd be a complete nightmare, but he didn't even notice it being done. If your horse is food orientated then a bucket of feed works wonders! If you really think he'll be a handful then it's probably a sensible idea to get the vet out to sedate, though the freeemark people are used to all sorts of horsey personalities and the lady who came to do ours was great with them (we used Freezemark LTD).
I think it took about 10/15 minutes in total but the letters are only held on for a minute or so each (though it takes longer if the horse is grey) - they were done individually.

I'm getting my new one done next week, at least that way I know that I've done everything I can to keep her safe x
 
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I 100% support freezemarking, it is the only visual detterant that I believe properly puts of potential thieves. My boy is done, all my future horses will be. So what if they are microchipped, nobody can see this, buddy is also chipped but I see it as moreo of a second line of defence/ownership proof.

However! Why on earth are you paying for your yard owners horse to be done? You have him on loan, its her choice to pay to get him done or not. He isn't your horse so don't be taken for a mug with her. You wouldn't supply all his tack and rugs would you? And then leave it all with him? He's her responsiblity, this I imagine is what your fellow livery is calling you a numpty for... If you want to pay then go for it but I think his legal owner should really be responsible for freezemarking if she wants it done...
 
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