I’m from California and I’ve got a appaloosa gelding that I’m trying to find some information on. He’s got a brand on his jaw that I’d love to try and figure out. It would be amazing if I could figure out the farm he’s from, or even whether or not he’s a grade something or maybe a pure bred appy.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Around here in NC a lot of people these days come up with their own brands. It might be hard to tell if it came from a real ranch type operation or just some jackleg in their back yard. It is so light it looks like a freeze brand.
You could ask the appy association.
There are not that many registered appy breeders.
If that is what your horse is, they may know who uses that brand and brands in the jaw.
Looks like a rocking 5 R.
I don’t know anyone that brands their ranch brand in the jaw as that one seems to be?
Ranch brands generally are somewhere in the main body.
Jaw and butt brands are for other than ranch brand id.
Most jaw brands are for breeding numbers or in specific cases, for quarantine/condemned stock under observation.
Being such a different brand and brand use as branded, I expect if you get the word around, someone may know where he came from.
You are sure he is an appy?
That’s why I’m even pursuing this-- it’s such an odd brand in an odd place. I haven’t seen very many jaw brands at all.
I also thought it was rocking 5 R and that’s what a few barn friends and I came up with yesterday when I clipped him.
I do not know for sure that he’s Appaloosa. I know that he’s got appy marks, but I actually know so little about western breeds in general. I’m a Thoroughbred person and a hunter/jumper and I got this guy for free a few years ago.
A lot of brands are registered with the state. I can’t remember the department, but it varies from state-to-state. I’d start with the department that regulates brand inspections?
I know my Dad, years ago, had to register his brand with the state department of agriculture. He used it on both cattle and horses.
It’s been awhile, so I’m a bit fuzzy on the details. A Google search should bring something up. Worth a try…
Even if you NEVER find out his history or where he came from, if he has appy characteristics, you can register him with the Appaloosa assoc through hardship. It’s only like $50.00 to do it and a little bit of paperwork with some photos.
Yes, I have looked up brands before. State Brand inspectors have websites, there is a list in Colorado, and California.
I also know that jaw brands are often done in quarantine or cases of impound. They brand on the jaw so they can see which is which in a pen, or on the range, without having to move them or herd them - heads stick up. My guess is an Indian tribe, reservation possibly.
This is outdated but has the state brand inspectors listed for various areas of CA–assuming that’s where your horse’s brand is registered. Good starting point. Unfortunately, it’s not the entire book.
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Livestock_ID/pdfs/2010_Brand_Book/Forward.pdf
I have known some that put an ad in the horse section of this printed magazine with a picture of their horse’s brand and got results, found who bred the horse:
http://www.livestockweekly.com/papers/12/05/24/index.html
If it matters that much, you could try an ad for two weeks, it is a weekly.
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