At the KWPN inspections in Calgary this year, there was an option to brand…however I don’t see the value in it at all. To me, the brand is simply a designer label, as has already been mentioned. It does not identify the specific farm like a cow brand, and it isn’t very useful for identification purposes as it only identifies breed, not owner. There are FAR better identification tools on the market like microchips that don’t leave everlasting scars on the side of my horse! We breed, and I’m proud of our foals but branding them doesn’t make them any better, nor does it add an visibility on our foals to our farm.
To those who say it doesn’t hurt or there is very little reaction, I say this: Have you ever been to a calf branding? My in-laws run a large cow calf operation, and lots of the calves “ball” in pain while they are branded. I’ve seen brands that get infected, I’ve seen brands that go too deep (past all the skin layers), I’ve seen brands that get put on wrong and I don’t think it is worth the risk.
My 3 y.o. Dutch filly was inspected, approved and could have been branded, but I chose not to do it especially since they do not do it in Holland any more. I just did not feel that it was necessary to cause her even a slight trauma.
I will say that we did watch the branding and none of the horses seemed to mind. I think it helped that they shaved the haunch so that the brand was very quick against the skin and not a lot of hair burning. Most of the reactions were just a flick of the tail as if they were flicking a fly.
I think it is a personal choice, but not necessary.
I have seen horses react badly to branding also. Not all of them stand there and act like nothing happened.
Horses and cattle are branded very differently. Cattle have thicker hides so the “brander” will hold the iron on much longer. When horses are branded the iron is only held on until the horse jumps away. That is “long” enough to make a nice brand.
A brand may be a designer label but it does help as far as sales are concerned. Plus the number under the brand will match the last two numbers on the horse’s passport so it does help with identification. I like the idea of a microchip but a microchip isn’t visable so unless you are scanning for it you won’t know it is there.
As to the poster who asked about RPSI, the registry has a very good reputation and high standards.
Yes, some horses are drama llamas about branding, but those same horses probably pitch a fit about flys too. They get over it quickly;).
Micro chips
My two kwpn imported jumpers, one from Willy Van der Ham, the other from Stal Hendrix both have micro chips and NO brand. Do I care that they aren’t branded? NO!!! Since we do the YJC everyone knows their lineage and I’m all about giving all information to USEF in order for the breeders to get their due credit. Maybe the micro chips are really starting to take precedent over branding in Europe. Does anyone know that answer? But, my vote is NO to branding now that I have ones without!!
With horse theft on the rise in our area I like the idea of branding. It is just one more easy to see mark of identification. Of course it doesn’t say who the horse belongs to but it does give a head’s up that this isn’t just some forgotten OTTB, maybe we should look for a microchip. Because your average Joe Schmo who might see your horse in passing doesn’t carry a microchip reader. OR you put out a stolen horse alert and a brand is just one more thing to help identify your horse in a sea of mostly bay horses with a small star. Especially since a small star is easy to cover up with some paint but a brand would not be so easy to hide. I think a brand or freeze brand combined with a microchip, when possible, would be ideal.
I’ve seen a lot of horses and foals branded. The reaction is usually in line with “What the heck was that?” and then they walk off. I wonder about how well the brands show up when they are done as foals. It seems that those done as foals don’t always show as well as those done on adult horses but this is just something I’ve been picking up on based on what other people have said. I don’t know that for certain.
To those who have branded their foals, can you see the brand well when they are mature? As well as those that were branded as adult horses?
As far as RSPI being very high quality: take it with a grain of salt, and look at the indiviudal. The RSPI has let some “crap” horses into their books as far as breeding quality goes.
I’ve seen foals branded. It caused obvious pain.
[QUOTE=grayarabpony;3658851]
As far as RSPI being very high quality: take it with a grain of salt, and look at the indiviudal. The RSPI has a lot of crap into their books as far as breeding quality goes.[/QUOTE]
And just what is your experience with RPSI? Please clarify. Successful breeders ALWAYS look at the individual. That is how they got successful ;).
So does a bite from Mom, a fly, a bee sting…
My experience with the RSPI is enough that I don’t respect it as a registry of quality horses. My first thought when I see a RSPI registered horse is that horse wouldn’t qualify for breeding in another registry. Sorry, but that’s the truth. It doesn’t mean I would rule the horse out, but it does make me want to know the story behind the horse. If the horse is a high-quality cross that wouldn’t be approved ELSEWHERE because it’s “unconventional” (say, 1/2 QH), that’s a different story. If the horse is a hollow horse that someone thinks is riding type because it’s short-backed, well, I’ve seen such a horse put into the main mare book. (Did I also mention that she was a wacko?)
[QUOTE=NoDQhere;3658923]
So does a bite from Mom, a fly, a bee sting…[/QUOTE]
Not as much as a brand. Want to put a video of yourself on youtube being branded? Might be amusing…
I believe most of us try to protect our horses from insect bites; we do not deliberately inflict them.
Bites from mom are generally inflicted for educational purposes. Brands aren’t.
IMO, branding decisions depend on each an individual owner perceives and weighs the drawbacks vs. the benefits.
My Oldenburg NA colt was microchipped. No need for brand. Scan his neck and there is his registered history and pedigree.
[QUOTE=grayarabpony;3658952]
My experience with the RSPI is enough that I don’t respect it as a registry of quality horses. My first thought when I see a RSPI registered horse is that horse wouldn’t qualify for breeding in another registry. Sorry, but that’s the truth. It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t rule the horse out, but it does make me want to know the story behind the horse. If the horse is a high-quality cross that wouldn’t be approved because it’s “unconventional” (say, 1/2 QH), that makes sense. If the horse is a hollow horse that someone thinks is riding type because it’s short-backed, well, I’ve seen such a horse put into the main mare book. (Did I also mention that she was a wacko?)[/QUOTE]
Just as I thought. You have no experience with them. If you had any experience with them at all, you would know that 1/2 QHs (or any other unconventional crosses) aren’t “Approved” for breeding. Seems like most people who have a “sour grapes” attitude towards RPSI are either folks who’s horse was turned down by them or are folks who have never even bothered to read the FAQ section on their web site: www.rhpsi.com
Branding of WB horses has been a tradition for a long time, people, not so much. As usual with your posts, instead of posting something helpful, educational or interesting, you are just pi$$y.
[QUOTE=NoDQhere;3659035]
Just as I thought. You have no experience with them. If you had any experience with them at all, you would know that 1/2 QHs (or any other unconventional crosses) aren’t “Approved” for breeding. Seems like most people who have a “sour grapes” attitude towards RPSI are either folks who’s horse was turned down by them or are folks who have never even bothered to read the FAQ section on their web site: www.rhpsi.com
Branding of WB horses has been a tradition for a long time, people, not so much. As usual with your posts, instead of posting something helpful, educational or interesting, you are just pi$$y.[/QUOTE]
Quite the charmer aren’t you Patty? How do you think you come across? Certainly not helpful, educational, or interesting. Not intelligent or knowledgeable either. Wow that’s 0 for 5 so far.
I’ve never had a horse turned down by the RSPI, but I’ve seen a mare that I honestly thought should have been euthed rather than turned into a brood mare accepted into their main mare book.
I take it your horses are RSPI registered? :lol:
Personal attacks and pissing matches aside, I think microchips are a great idea. Agreed that they’re impossible to detect with the naked eye, so perhaps until they’re a well established and widely used technology (and people routinely screen for them), it’s a good option to use them in conjunction with traditional branding.
It’s much like human tattooing - it’s ok for some people, not ok for others. I personally burned the living hell out of my right ring finger a few days ago with a searing hot pan (my dinner was excellent, my finger was not). It hurt at the time, but it too is healing nicely - and this is thin, wimpy people skin 
I bet you’ll be able to see it in a few years even through my winter coat, LOL.
[QUOTE=NoDQhere;3658557]
Horses and cattle are branded very differently. Cattle have thicker hides so the “brander” will hold the iron on much longer. When horses are branded the iron is only held on until the horse jumps away. That is “long” enough to make a nice brand.[/QUOTE]
Yes horse and cattle are branded differently, but the potential for mistakes while branding is the SAME! I’ve actually branded myself at our in-laws (cattle) so I know what it is like to be holding the iron and doing the deed. While horses have thinner skin, it is easier to screw up the brand by holding it on too long. Additionally, calves are branded on the ground, held down, which makes it harder to screw up the brand due to jumping around. It is so easy for a horse to jump the wrong way back into the brand and leave a mark that wasn’t intended. Just because cattle have thicker skin doesn’t mean that the risk for branding issues/problems is less for horses.
[QUOTE=NoDQhere;3659035]
Just as I thought. You have no experience with them. If you had any experience with them at all, you would know that 1/2 QHs (or any other unconventional crosses) aren’t “Approved” for breeding. Seems like most people who have a “sour grapes” attitude towards RPSI are either folks who’s horse was turned down by them or are folks who have never even bothered to read the FAQ section on their web site: www.rhpsi.com [QUOTE]
A side note on the RPSI. I personally have less respect for RPSI registered horses when compared to the Dutch registry, Oldenburg etc… I have found that there are too many lower calibre horses being approved with the registry, simply my own personal observation. However, I think one of the key problems is the stallions. I’ve seen too many RPSI stallions advertised as fully approved, and the stallion owner conveniently forgets to indicate the stallions rating.
I have a 2yr old Oldenburg who is branded but it’s so faint I only see it when he’s summer-time slick and the light is just right on a clear day, facing south and he’s standing perfectly still and I’m squinting my eyes with my head turned sideways. :lol:
Maybe it will enlarge and be more visable as he continues to grow.
[QUOTE=grayarabpony;3659111]
Quite the charmer aren’t you Patty? How do you think you come across? Certainly not helpful, educational, or interesting. Not intelligent or knowledgeable either. Wow that’s 0 for 5 so far.
I’ve never had a horse turned down by the RSPI, but I’ve seen a mare that I honestly thought should have been euthed rather than turned into a brood mare accepted into their main mare book.
I take it your horses are RSPI registered? :lol:[/QUOTE]
Most people do take the time to educate themselves rather than letting ONE horse make up their mind on an entire registry. Just like people can look at our web site and decide if we are doing a decent job. I find it hard to put too much stock in what an anonymous poster claims:rolleyes:.
[QUOTE=Cowgirl Lindz;3657403]
I just want to hear some opinion because I’m kinda on the fence:confused: On one hand its would be nice to own a branded warmblood, its kinda the final step after you have filled out all the paper work and survived inspection day :lol: On the other hand do I want to be responsible for permanently scaring my horse? I know its not suppose to hurt and all. What do you thinK? Does it depend for you what the brand looks like or what registry? I know there is some people who would never have their horse branded American Warmblood because of all the Threads I’ve read(I don’t want to get everyone started on that again:lol:) Whats your opinion on RPSI, half trak…or any other ones would you bother?[/QUOTE]
RPSI does not offer a choice – you MUST brand your foal. Also must be inspected. Other registries differ.
I’ve had a number of foals branded by now – both in AHS & RPSI. I think it hurts – either right when it’s done or later. How can it NOT hurt…you are burning skin. I remember one colt who really took longer to heal than most, but some salves helped.
Even so, the pain is brief, and I like the idea of this horse being clearly identified, at least in terms of breed/registry.
It probably isn’t the most pleasant thing for a foal, but hardily the worst thing that will happen in their lives, either. The racing TBs aren’t crazy about the tattooing process either.
I don’t believe horses are emotionally scarred by that sort of brief pain – I’m sure it hurts less than a mighty kick by a herd member…or some of the bites the lead mare can give!
Life has pain…sometimes.
[QUOTE=Altamont Sport Horses;3658623]
With horse theft on the rise in our area I like the idea of branding. It is just one more easy to see mark of identification. Of course it doesn’t say who the horse belongs to but it does give a head’s up that this isn’t just some forgotten OTTB, maybe we should look for a microchip. Because your average Joe Schmo who might see your horse in passing doesn’t carry a microchip reader. OR you put out a stolen horse alert and a brand is just one more thing to help identify your horse in a sea of mostly bay horses with a small star. Especially since a small star is easy to cover up with some paint but a brand would not be so easy to hide. I think a brand or freeze brand combined with a microchip, when possible, would be ideal.
I’ve seen a lot of horses and foals branded. The reaction is usually in line with “What the heck was that?” and then they walk off. I wonder about how well the brands show up when they are done as foals. It seems that those done as foals don’t always show as well as those done on adult horses but this is just something I’ve been picking up on based on what other people have said. I don’t know that for certain.
To those who have branded their foals, can you see the brand well when they are mature? As well as those that were branded as adult horses?[/QUOTE]
I agree. One of my Hanoverian mares was branded quite young – like 17 days old. She is 6 yrs. old now and you can see her brand even in winter. Yet the process didn’t seem to bother her THAT much.
In fact, over all, I’ve seen more horses seriously worried about fly spray then foals who were seriously bothered by branding. And I’ve seen dozens and dozens of foals branded.
Oh – I had one non-WB mare (actually a Teke) who was branded with the farm brand at he age of 10. But I think her’s was a freeze-brand…I’ve never seen that done. All the brandings I’ve witnessed have been hot-branding.
