Re: freeze marking problems

["Mieske" <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

I think this topic IS endurance related in that we need to be aware that
there ARE people out there who steal horses which means there are people out
there who lose them to theft....in many disciplines an unpapered,
unregistered horse is worthless (showing, racing, etc.) but endurance is one
of those sports in which ALL equines of any background are welcome. As much
as it pains me to consider marking our horses with brands...hot or cold...it
pains me much more to think of what might happen to them if they were stolen
and unable to be recovered.  One of our clients has horses she bought from
out west that have 3 separate brands on them...one on the hip, one on the
cheek and one on the neck in front of the shoulder, all very clearly visible
and while I am sure it hurt, those horses are very easily identifiable even
from a distance!  I think brands like that would also be a better deterrent
to thieves than lip tattoos or under the mane freeze brands.  I think we did
have a discussion about this once before... if Steph objects, I apologize,
but I would like to hear what other folks have done or do or would suggest
doing to thwart thieves (besides hanging them from the nearest tree as
Sylvia suggested <big grin>).  Which is the least painful and objectionable
to a horse...freeze brand or fire brand?

Maggie Mieske
McBain, Michigan
----- Original Message -----
From: <TddWil@aol.com>
To: <bgloverhrsewmn@hotmail.com>; <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 6:07 PM
Subject: RC: freeze marking problems


> If the mark is under the mane its harder to see at an auction or feedlot.
I
> would like to get mine done,its not really pretty but I think I would want
it
> to be easily seen.  The last time I called they had no one in my area to
do
> it. It would be nice if they came up with a better way to mark the grey
> horses. This is a bit off the subject, but I would like to see all arabs
> freeze marked so they quit losing their heritage when they are sold with
no
> papers. You shouldn't be able to sell them like that. I know some people
> might do it to keep an unsound horse off the track, etc, but most cases I
> know of are sloppy paperwork or withholding papers for spite (not getting
the
> price they want but selling anyway). oh well, JMO.
>
>                            Shelly
>
>
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