Freezebranding

[chunky monkey]

Have read in the local paper just recently about a coloured horse going missing in my area. I know that colours are very desirable. So it got me thinking about mine. I was told that if they are freezebranded they are not as desirable. Does anyone agree/disagree. I understand that microchipping is not 100% sucessful as they apparently move.

I was thinking about getting mine branded, he is 10 yr old, but apparently you can get them done at any age. Is this right.

Does anyone have any experince of this themselves and could it be done by a vet, if not who do I have to ask, what cost etc. Do I have to do any kind of paperwork. I presume that I would need to get this added on to his passport if I have it done.

[Showjumper]

Definitely worth getting your horse freezemarked. I had my mare done by Farmkey and they were very professional, kind and helpful.

This is the Farmkey website: http://www.farmkey.co.uk/farmkey/
Freezemark Ltd are another company that do freezemarking: http://www.freezemark.biz/

[scrappydoo]

My coloured was chipped by the vet, but no one can see that so i had him freeze branded by farmkey. It cost me £57 and they do all the paperwork. I just clipped the paper work into his passport to save sending it off for amendment. :D

[scrappydoo]

chunky monkey, the picture in your avatar is the spit image of my coloured.

[Kerpug]

My lad is freezemarked and microchipped.

The problem with microchipping is it has to be scanned by vets etc to get the details. Now if a horse was to go missing, for example stolen by gypsies, then they would not come into contact with the authorities. So in this instance a microchip is useless.

On the otherhand even a stolen horse will be grazed in fields that are accessible to people being able to see them. Freezemark horses can be stolen but the recovery rate is higher as its a visible mark.

I went with Farmkey and paid £130 in total, this covered =
£57 - For freeze mark
£27 - For personalised mark
Then te rest went on 5 years membership, warning sign, car stickers and rug badges.

Money well spent in my opinion :)

[Siogfinsceal]

I think its better than microchipping as you can see it right away - microchipping relies on being scanned. You can get it done discreetly on their back and its grand as covered by saddle. I dont like them on their shoulder though (although some of the foreign horse stamps can look nice), but thats a personal choice. I have always wondered if it takes away from show horses in the show ring - do judges mark down?

[CurlyWurlyRach]

my horse is freezemarked on her back.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a44/lord_w_rox/curlyposingtoday003.jpg

If i dont know if she is chipped or not can i get the vet to scan her when she comes to do jabs?

[c2b]

Freeze marking didn't stop a horse getting stolen from the farm where I keep my mare. It has never been found :mad:

[chunky monkey]

Sorry to hear that c2b. Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look at those website.

I don't think I would go down the microchip route as I'm told they can move under the skin and they aren't then readable. As he's coloured more likely a gypo mob would take him. So better to be read at a distance. I'm not planning on any shows although my YO has hinted that I ought to take him.

Oh forgot to ask can it be done anywhere on the body. Back and top of shoulder is white and lower down he is patches of brown. So I guess it would be best to get it done on the brown area.

Curly Wurly love the tinted blue pic. Most vets have the equipment to scan these days so I would ask yours.

[Kerpug]

No it will never totally stop these horses being stolen but it will make someone think twice as to whether they steal it or not.

Also you have more chance of finding it in future if the horse is sold on and enquirys are made regarding the freezemarking.

If someone wants to steal your horse they will do but its peace of mind knowing you've done as much as possible to secure your precious horse

[cazrider]

Sennie is freezemarked quite low down on his shoulder by Freezemark Ltd, so on his brown patch would be fine.

[KAB]

I had my piebald freeze marked about 5 weeks ago. The company was called Freezemark Ltd and it cost around £40.00 - worth every penny. What prompted me to do it was i found a couple of gypsies hanging over the fence to my horse when i arrived to feed him. They shouted me when i got in the field and wanted to know his name, and what he was like to ride, and said he was gorgeous. I made a name up, and told them you were luckly if you would be able to get a saddle on him! I couldnt sleep until i got him Freezemarked! Get it sorted!!!!!!