If a hot brand is not red hot, it takes too long to
make an imprint. A really red-hot iron takes all of 2-3 seconds and leaves
the best imprint. I have never branded a horse (with short hair), but I've
branded a ton of calves (with long hair). The iron has to be hot enough to
singe away long hair and imprint the hide. OTOH, if the hair is winter
length or just too thick and long, I sometimes clip it first so the iron can be
applied and get the job done more quickly. Cattle definitely have
longer hair than horses, at any time of the year. Cattle are also far more
stoic than horses. Example: a cow can be in labor for hours, but a mare
had better foal within 20 minutes or you're looking at trouble.
