How to freeze brand a horse?
Freeze Branding Horses 1 Skin Anatomy. The skin of a horse contains millions of hairs which make up the horse’s coat. ... 2 Equipment. At least three persons are needed for freeze branding – a holder, a timer and a brander. ... 3 Branding Systems and Sites. ... 4 Procedure. ... 5 Post Branding Results. ... 6 Getting Horses Branded. ...
What is the difference between fire branding and freeze branding?
Both fire and freeze branding have been used successfully on horses for many years. Freeze branding, also called cryogenic branding, uses extreme cold to alter the growth of the hair in the brand contact area. Cooling agents, such as liquid nitrogen (-300° Fahrenheit), are used to cool branding irons.
Is cryogenic branding safe for horses?
In the past few years freeze (cryogenic) branding has become extremely popular because it is safe, economical and simple to do. Freeze branding can be done on horses of any age. It appears to be relatively painless and does not scar or damage the horse’s hide.
Is your horse’s freeze brand registered in Illinois?
On horses, however, Illinois claims the distinction of being the only brand law state that won’t recognize your horse’s freeze brand for registration. (It should be noted, however, that Illinois does not require brands be registered, though they do maintain a registry and recommend registering your brand.)
How much does it cost to freeze brand?
Freeze branding takes about 3 to 10 minutes per head and costs about $0.05 per head or less when using dry ice.
Does freeze branding hurt the horse?
In the past few years freeze (cryogenic) branding has become extremely popular because it is safe, economical and simple to do. Freeze branding can be done on horses of any age. It appears to be relatively painless and does not scar or damage the horse's hide.
How much is it to brand a horse?
The $70.00 recording fee entitles the applicant to use the brand until the following April 1. At that time, the brand owner shall pay the biennial renewal fee of $70.00 by April 30 of that year. Renewing the brand is the applicant's responsibility.
How long does freeze branding last?
The area will be temporarily inflamed but will heal within a few days. The hair falls out, and after two to three months hair will be fully regrown, without pigment. The hair will continue to grow white from that point onward, so this is still permanent for animals that shed their coats.
How long do you leave a freeze brand on a horse?
Table 1. Branding times based on age and color of horse and type of branding iron used.Color (age)Stainless steelCopper/brassDark* horses (8 months and younger)8 seconds7 secondsDark horses (older)8 seconds10 secondsLight* horses (8 months and younger)12 seconds15 secondsLight horses (older)12 seconds15 seconds
How long does it take for a freeze brand to show up on a horse?
Usually, the top layer of skin will shed in about one month following branding. If branding times were calibrated to allow for subsequent hair growth, the white hair should come in about two months. The white hair brand should be complete within three months post branding (Photograph 8).
Is freeze branding painful?
Hot-iron branding is most painful at the time of brand placement, while freeze branding appears most painful 15 to 30 minutes after the procedure. Hot-iron branding causes more inflammation than freeze branding. Hot-iron brands may stay painful for at least 8 weeks, evidenced by avoidance behavior of the cattle.
Is freeze branding permanent?
Freeze branding is a very visible and permanent form of identification. It involves a process generally done by experienced people and they treat it like a business. With dry ice and things like methanol to prevent cold irons sticking to the skin, the end result is a very visible brand.
Is freeze branding better?
Freeze branding is relatively stress-free for the animal, and causes little or no damage to the hide. Unlike fire brands, freeze brands result in reduced incidences of blotching. However, compared to fire branding, freeze branding takes more time, can be more costly and the brands may not be as clear on all cattle.
Can you freeze brand a GREY horse?
A fairly new and less painful method, freeze branding uses irons chilled in liquid nitrogen. The hair that grows back where the brand was applied has no pigment, resulting in a white brand. Therefore, when freeze branding a gray or white horse, the brand must be kept on longer to give the appearance of a hot brand.
Does branding hurt?
Unlike tattoos that have can be removed with laser surgery or piercing holes that can heal, branding is permanent. Branding isn't a do-it-yourself, at-home activity. It's a painful process that should only be done by professionals in a sanitary environment who are trained in handling sterilized equipment.
Are freeze brands painful?
Hot-iron branding is most painful at the time of brand placement, while freeze branding appears most painful 15 to 30 minutes after the procedure. Hot-iron branding causes more inflammation than freeze branding. Hot-iron brands may stay painful for at least 8 weeks, evidenced by avoidance behavior of the cattle.
Is freeze branding less painful than hot branding?
Freeze Branding Using a cold iron is less painful than the hot one for the animals because they react less to cooler temperatures on their skin. As a result, this technique has become the most popular for branding horses.
Is freeze branding better?
Freeze branding is relatively stress-free for the animal, and causes little or no damage to the hide. Unlike fire brands, freeze brands result in reduced incidences of blotching. However, compared to fire branding, freeze branding takes more time, can be more costly and the brands may not be as clear on all cattle.
Does it hurt to get branded?
Unlike tattoos that have can be removed with laser surgery or piercing holes that can heal, branding is permanent. Branding isn't a do-it-yourself, at-home activity. It's a painful process that should only be done by professionals in a sanitary environment who are trained in handling sterilized equipment.
How to clean a horse's brand?
Place the container of irons as close to the branding location as possible. Clean the brand site of foreign material. Clip the brand site as square as possible, particularly at the bottom, to aid in square placement of the brand. Thoroughly dry the brand site if the horse is sweating or is wet from rain or washing.
What is a freeze branding iron?
Freeze branding irons (mark the tops of handles with the numbers or letters on the heads so they can be identified when the heads are submerged in nitrogen)
How long to chill iron after branding?
It should be recooled to -300 degrees F before it is used again. Even when quickly returned to the container after use this may require 4 to 5 minutes. Irons left out of nitrogen for longer periods of time will require more time to chill before they can be used again.
What is the color of horse hair?
Under normal circumstances hair grows as a clear shaft (like a clear straw) from the GF. On colored horses, pigment (black, brown, red, yellow, etc.) is added from the CF below the skin to the clear hairshaft, which gives the hair its color.
Where are horses branded?
Horses are commonly branded on the left or right jaw, shoulder, thigh or butt (beside the tail). Certain sites can be further divided if branding systems warrant. For example, the thigh area can be divided into four sites—12:00 (above center), 3:00 (right of center), 6:00 (below center) and 9:00 (left of center).
Can you brand your own horse?
Horse owners can purchase the equipment and brand their own horses or hire veterinarians or freeze branding technicians to perform this service. One company brands horses with a unique identification system (international alpha system using angles and alpha signals). Some companies provide anti-theft aids such as owner / horse identification cards and ranch warning signs, and also notify the breed registries and state livestock offices when horses are branded. When a registered horse is branded the breed association office should be notified so the brand can be officially placed on the horse’s registration papers.
Is twitching necessary for a horse?
Twitching usually is not necessary on gentle horses, but may be necessary for young horses and those not accustomed to being handled. Position the timer, equipped with a stopwatch, as close as possible to the branding site. Squirt room temperature alcohol over the brand site.
What is a personal freeze branding iron?
Personal freeze-branding iron (Irons are made from stainless steel, brass, and copper or combinations of metals. The type of metal you choose will determine the length of time the brand must be held against the skin. See Table 1 .) Twitch.
How to prevent a horse from moving?
Place the horse in a confined area , preferably a stock, to prevent the horse from moving once the branding iron is placed on the skin.
What happens when you put branding iron on a horse?
When placed on the horse’s skin, it destroys the color-producing follicle but not the growth follicle. As a result, the hair at the site of the brand continues to grow as normal, but the pigmentation does not, which gives the hair a white appearance.
What is the hair on a horse's hide?
Hair on a horse’s hide is comprised of a shaft, a color-producing follicle, and a growth follicle. The shaft of the hair is clear, and the follicle is pigmented, which gives the horse its coat color. A branding iron is placed in liquid nitrogen and becomes extremely cold. When placed on the horse’s skin, it destroys the color-producing follicle ...
How long does it take for iron to cool down on a horse?
This may take up to 3 to 5 minutes.
How hot should an iron head be for a horse?
This means that the iron head has chilled to the proper temperature (approximately -300ºF). Keep the container close to the horse so that the iron will maintain the proper temperature until it reaches the horse’s skin.
Why do cattle owners use hot branding?
Many horse and/or cattle owners have probably considered branding options for their animals to help with identification and to deter theft. In addition, branding can be a form of marketing for ranches and pedigrees. While cattle owners often choose hot-branding, most horse owners prefer freeze-branding to permanently identify their horses.
What is freeze branding on horses?
Both fire and freeze branding have been used successfully on horses for many years. Freeze branding, also called cryogenic branding, uses extreme cold to alter the growth of the hair in the brand contact area. Cooling agents, such as liquid nitrogen (-300° Fahrenheit), are used to cool branding irons. Two different follicles in hair are affected ...
What is a brand horse?
Results. Brands are a commonly used means to identify individual horses as an aid in farm management and as a theft deterrent. Brands are also used to identify a line of horses from a particular ranch, so as to increase their marketability based on the ranch’s reputation. Both fire and freeze branding have been used successfully on horses ...
How to use cold branding iron?
Squarely apply the cold branding iron to the site. Use a gentle rocking motion for the required time to insure a good contact. Also, effort should be made so not to wrinkle the skin. Proper restraint of the horse (stocks, twitch, etc.) will aid in maintaining a good brand contact. (Photograph 5)
How long does it take for a hair brand to thaw?
The brand pattern will thaw and the brand site will swell up within five to ten minutes. The brand pattern swelling should leave within a week. Usually, the top layer of skin will shed in about one month following branding. If branding times were calibrated to allow for subsequent hair growth, the white hair should come in about two months. The white hair brand should be complete within three months post branding (Photograph 8). If no hair returns, the branding time was too long. If the hair color is streaked with natural hair color, the branding time was too short.
Do you calibrate branding irons?
It is best to calibrate the branding irons with standard branding procedure to insure best results. Suggested branding times will vary with the type of metal of the branding iron and whether or not subsequent hair growth is desired.
Skin Anatomy
Equipment
- At least three persons are needed for freeze branding – a holder, a timer and a brander. Equipment includes: 1. Twitch 2. Container at least 18 x 10 x 12 inches so irons can stand upright when the heads are submerged in liquid nitrogen 3. Liquid nitrogen (available from A.I. technicians) 4. Freeze branding irons (mark the tops of handles with the numbers or letters on t…
Branding Systems and Sites
- If owners are going to brand several horses each year for several years, some thought should be given to a branding system. Important information to include in a branding system may be sire, dam, date of horse’s birth, individual horse number, etc., depending on the operation and how the horses are used or marketed. Branding systems are available from state livestock associations (…
Procedure
- This is the step-by-step procedure for freeze branding horses: 1. Chill the irons to -300 degrees F in the container of liquid nitrogen. The surface of the nitrogen will appear as pinhead size bubbles (boiling action has stopped) when the irons are chilled to -300 degrees F and they are ready for use. Place the container of irons as close to the br...
Post Branding Results
- On dark colored horses, expect the following sequence of events: On light colored horses requiring longer branding times (or on dark horses with irons accidently left on too long) the sequence of results will be the same as above until 2 months. Where no hair grows the brand will be bald. Be aware that brands placed on young horses will obviously increase in size as the hors…
Getting Horses Branded
- Horse owners can purchase the equipment and brand their own horses or hire veterinarians or freeze branding technicians to perform this service. One company brands horses with a unique identification system (international alpha system using angles and alpha signals). Some companies provide anti-theft aids such as owner / horse identification cards and ranch warning …
How It Works
Equipment and Procedure
- You will need the following equipment: 1. A standing stock (not required but preferable for safety) 2. Clippers (surgical clippers are best) 3. Liquid nitrogen in a container large enough for the branding iron to stand upright with the head completely submerged 4. Spray bottle with 99 percent alcohol (lower percentages contain water, which can cause an ice layer to form during b…
Timing
- The time it takes a brand to work depends on the age and color of the horse and the type of branding iron used. See Table 1. Table 1. Branding times based on age and color of horse and type of branding iron used. Source: Householder, D., G. Webb, S. Wigington, and J. Breummer. Freeze Branding Horses. Texas Horse Owner’s Reference Guide. Texas A&M University. *Dark ho…
Post-Branding Results
- You will notice a swollen outline of the brand shortly after removing the iron. Within 30 minutes to an hour, swelling may go away and not much, if any, visible outline of the brand will be noticeable. After a week or so, the skin on the brand site may start to peel much like a sunburn. It will take up to 2 months for the brand to heal. The following photos show a red dun horse that was branded …