[Spotted Mustang]

I actually wanted to learn more about branding, specifically branding horses. I figured health would probably be the best place to put this since I wanted to discuss the different kinds of branding and its effect on the horses.

1. Which branding do you prefer? Freeze branding or hot iron branding?
2. Why do you prefer freeze or hot iron?
3. Can anyone share their experiences about branding their own horses?
4. Can you share how you prepare the area for branding, where you prefer to brand, and what kind of care the area needs afterward?
5. How long does it take a brand to heal completely?

I will put up a poll for choosing between freeze branding or hot iron branding.

[LateralFlexion]

Freeze branding is vastly superior to heat branding IMO.

1. It is virtually painless
2. Very short healing time
3. Visible with very clear borders even from a distance

Cons
1. Must hold the horse longer to get a good brand
2. Cost
3. Not as suitable for gray horses

http://www.cowboyway.com/What/FreezeBranding.htm

[Spotted Mustang]

Oh, thank you for the article. I will take a look at it right now.

[ILoveRedRanger!]

My horse has a hot brand. I would actually prefer freeze.

[Xiphias]

If I were going to brand a horse, I would prefer the freeze brand, I can't imagine, holding a hot iron on any horse's body...

Cathy

[Spotted Mustang]

Good point. I do not think I could either, but I did not know if hot iron branding has some advantages I did not know about. I have seen hot iron brands on cattle, but never horses so I was not sure.

It sounds like freeze branding is the much better way to go.

[Moostang]

I know people that do hot, but I would do freeze branding if I had to.

I guess if you do it on grays you are supposed to leave it on longer so it kills the hair off completely and looks like a hot brand.

[Circle C]

Originally Posted by Spotted Mustang

I actually wanted to learn more about branding, specifically branding horses. I figured health would probably be the best place to put this since I wanted to discuss the different kinds of branding and its effect on the horses.

1. Which branding do you prefer? Freeze branding or hot iron branding?

Freeze Branding

1. Why do you prefer freeze or hot iron?

It's more visible. Hot brands grow in a lot and get harder to see as time goes on. You can't mistake a big white patch

1. Can anyone share their experiences about branding their own horses?

Never branded my own, but my filly came to me only a week after the fact. I had to wait for it to scab and then put vaseline on it every few days.

1. Can you share how you prepare the area for branding, where you prefer to brand, and what kind of care the area needs afterward?

Shave & clean the area I would imagine. I like them on the hip. After care I described above.

1. How long does it take a brand to heal completely?

It took my fillies a little over a month for the hair to completely grow back in white.

I will put up a poll for choosing between freeze branding or hot iron branding.

See my experiences above^

[hjackma51982]

Hot brands have their place. If I needed to to quickly brand a large number opf animals, I would view Hot branding as a viable option.

for most Horses Freeze branding is a better option. as previously stated, it is almost painless more easily visible and in general nicer

[Sheza_Angel]

I'd say that if I had to pick between the two that I would go for freeze branding.