Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

It's definitely not a severe burn.  All the ones I've seen done healed nicely and the horses never showed any discomfort after the initial shock of the brand being applied.  Horse flesh really is rather thick (having performed a few anatomy dissections of legs, I can say that from experience) and my understanding is that, although it is sensitive to touch, branding doesn't go "deep" enough to cause a third degree burn.  Or really even a second degree.  It *can* be done poorly and cause harm.  Any form of permanent identity can be.  Ear notching, tagging, freeze branding, even microchipping can be botched.  Branding is used because it is practical, safe, and an easy and quick way to identify animals.

Karen Lynd <klynd47@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Is there little pain because the brand is a severe burn (3rd degree), and severe burns cause numbness in the skin and underlying tissue because the nerve endings are damaged or destroyed?  So what actually happens is that the horse is burned so badly that they cannot feel pain in that area?  Second and third degree burns are susceptible to infection and should be watched carefully. 

 

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-caused-by-burns

http://www.bookrags.com/Burn_(injury)

 

Karen Lynd

 

----- Original Message ----
From: Valerie Jaques <hammerithot@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Ridecamp <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 10:52:11 PM
Subject: [RC] Branding

Just a quick note on the subject.  Having assisted with branding of Warmblood horses (I supplied the heat with my forge), I can honestly say that, when properly performed, hot branding causes very little stress and pain for the horse.  It's over quickly, and they forget about it almost immediately.  I observed the branding of both adult mares and youngsters up to yearlings.

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