How to read a brand? (Holsteiner)

[sgb2818]

So I’m trying to figure out how old my holsteiner horse is because no one’s ever really been able to give me an answer. He is branded though, with numbers so I was thinking that may tell me something about his age?

His brand:
Holsteiner breed symbol with the numbers 8 (left side) and 4 (right side) underneath it.

I’ve been doing some research and I think one or both these numbers might tell me something more about him and when he was born? If anyone can help me or let me know how I can figure out what each number means, that would be great.
Thank you!

[Derby_Lyn_Farms]

Well everywhere I read it says those numbers are the life number, but it doesn’t tell me anywhere if that is the year they are born or not. I am thinking it means he was born in 1984, but hopefully a holsteiner person will speak up for you.

[MissMilly]

Reviving this post, I have the same question, mine has an 89.

I was told he was german imported, but I have no idea if it’s true (Non horsey parents bought him for me 15 years ago from trainer at the time, we never thought to get proper docs, we were always told they were “lost”). Trainer who sold him to us is long gone, gelding is still with me and happily retired, I’ve just always been curious.

Any way to tell whether he is American or German bred? Age? Anyone know where I can look/who I can contact to continue my research? Thank you!

[RyTimMick]

The number to the left is the breeding region, and the number to the right correlates to the birth year. So a foal born in '98 will have an 8 to the right. Also, if it was registered here you will have a N to the left of the brand and an A to the right for “North America”.

Tim

[MissMilly]

Thank you, Tim! Any chance you could point me to a resource to find out more about the breeding regions correlated to the number on the left?

[alexandra]

You can contact the Holstiner Verband in Germany. Make good pictures of the horse and its markings from all side. Add information on his proximate age and ask them if the can fnd out something about his lineage. If it is a mare I would go into that and pay the money for new papers. For a gelding I may would want to know the breeding, but papers, I guess not needed in the US…

www.holsteiner-verband.de/

Guess dropping them an email and give them good time to work on it (holidays coming up…), may lead to some sort of answer.

[alexandra]

P.S. and if you find out and they give you also the adress of the breeders, send them a snail mail message in english to that adress. Even though they may not be able to read in first place if you point out the markings and breedings and send a picture they may understand what it means and can get someone to translate. Am speaking for all those breeders from germany whose horses get lost in the USA and would love to hear a bit about them, that they are in good hands and appreciated ! Let them know wou would like to get an answer to know they received it. Good luck !

Each time I read something like this I am wondering about a horse I bred that went over the pond and where I had some contact with owners in between, but have not heard for ages whether he is still alive, someone having fun or what happened lately…

[MissMilly]

Thank you very much Alexandra! Much appreciated and very helpful.

[eaconlee]

We just recently purchased a german-born holsteiner and so I’d been looking at his brand, talking with AHHA, etc. The information given that the second number is the year born doesn’t match with our horse or information I was able to find on the internet. Our horse’s brand is 61 and he was born in 99. The info on the internet says the number refers to part of their registration number (and 61 is indeed part of his registration number). So, clearly I’m no expert here, but can you explain where the info is coming from that the second number is the year? Doesn’t match with what I’ve read or our horse…