Microchipping and freeze branding?

Question

I'm looking into getting my horse microchipped and freeze branded. The microchipping incase she ever got loose and the freeze branding also if she got loose since she has a very very common color and no markings. I'm just looking for general prices on both (because obviously I'm not gonna call the vet at 2am). Since I'm putting the dental work on a credit card I might as well get anything else I need done as well. Generally in the USA how much can I expect to pay for a microchipping and freeze branding?

Is it a vet who does freeze branding or how does that work? I was talking with my trainer about it tonight and he likes the brand I want to use (very unique symbol that I came up with when I was younger and have used it on a few things since) and I'm gonna look into what all it takes to get a brand registered with my breeds association, but I did not think to ask him who does the branding and costs of it (he does not have any horses he personally had branded, only horse they have branded came with it).

Please and thank you!

Answer 1

I'm sorry I don't know much about local prices, but freezebranding is a bit of an elaborate process so be prepared for a high price tag.



My own horse is freezebranded - he is a Swedish imported STB and all racehorses in Sweden are freezebranded. Now, be careful with what you choose to brand. Just getting "your symbol" may well be unique, but posting that in a newspaper that you're missing a horse with a strange symbol on her quarter... well, I don't know. My own has his Standardbred Association registration number branded on his neck. Neck branding has its advantages and disadvantages. Personally I would recommend you to get the brand on the neck rather than anything (let's face it, a quarter or shoulder brand isn't especially pretty). Where I come from neck brands have bad connotations because it stands out from far away and it's obvious the horse is an either current or OT race horse. The good part about it is that it's absolutely impossible to hide. I'm lucky because my horse's mane covers that side of his neck so it's normally hidden, but if I want to have a look for it it's not possible to hide. Have you considered getting his registration number branded? It seems a lot smarter than a symbol you designed yourself. Also consider the fact that the people you'll contact to get him freezebranded might not be able to do custom symbols.



http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x314/gilraen690/IMG_0489-Copy.jpg : )



So freezebranding, a bit of a controversial subject, but microchipping, go for it 100% =) It can always be scanned, won't expire or go fuzzy, details can be changed and it's just generally awesome. It's usually hella expensive, though.

Answer 2

You will have to google freeze marking in your area to get an idea of pricing. As with everything else in the horse world and non horse world prices differ from area to area, company to company.



Freeze branding is not a thing done by vets, and in my experience you cannot choose the number that is frozen on to the horse - it is that, just a letter and a couple of numbers. Nothing fancy like a breed symbol or similar. The number stays on the horse for life, like the microchip, the numbers are noted in the horse's passport and you register it, and then when you sell or have to destroy the horse humanely you let the company know, and if the horse has been sold, the new owners would have to register in their name.



The freeze mark is usually done under the saddle so it is not visible unless the horse is stripped of its saddle and rugs. Horses are not marked down in shows for being freeze marked.

Answer 3

I wouldnt waste my time doing both. I would do the freeze brand and call it good. The idea of microchipping is a good one, but it has its flaws. if your horse were to be stolen, or get loose, you can easily identify her WITHOUT trespassing. As you said she is a common color, so you would need police and a warrant to enter someones property to check the microchip. A brand plain as day can be spotted and recognized from a distance. The vet can do the freeze branding. I've never had to pay for one so i dont know what they run.



Also to register your brand with your breed assoc. you need to be a registered member of the breed association (trainer/breeder/ or owner). I know the number brands arent all that pretty to look at, but you do not have to be a registered member of a breed association to obtain one and it is more unlikely that anyone else could claim they branded a similar horse with a similar brand. The risk of branding with an unregistered brand is that anyone could claim they branded the horse themselves (even with your vet bill as proof you paid for said brand) as there is no "copyright" (dont know the proper term in this situation) of your brand. so just be careful and get your ducks in a row before you go marking up your horse =)





not pushing for the number brand, but if you would choose to do that, you can have it placed under the mane where it wouldnt be visible for showing, but if you braid the first couple sections of the mane, then it would be easily spotted without damaging the show appearance.

Answer 4

I wouldn't be as worried about registering your brand with the breed association as I would with your state.



You will have to apply for your brand to be registered with the state. More so out West, but when you travel over state lines you will have to have brand inspection papers along with your other papers to cross state lines. That's one of the ways they deter theft.



Registering with the state can be a long and expensive process depending on where you're at. Some states are no longer accepting new brands or symbols, they're requiring it to be numbers or letters. You can purchase a brand that has expired as well.

Answer 5

You can also look at the paint branding <- obvious sign for you and a lot cheaper.



I would suggest keeping more of an eye on the fencing of the property, generally if a horse is not under any direct threat it will stay in the yard.



The only time you would need to worry about microchipping is if stolen?



I can't give you prices I am in Australia!

Answer 6

Microchipping is cheap. The thing itself only costs about $15, so plus the vet fee for them coming out to do it....it won't be very expensive.

Answer 7

Around here micro chipping is only $25, plus the farm call.

Its great if your in a hurricane prone area. If your horse gets caught up in any type of disaster, as long as he is found it ensures you get him back.



Not sure how much freeze branding is.

Answer 8

i think of this is incredibly worth it. I unquestionably have got here upon that the 'kind' presently is to get them microchipped- yet i come across a kind much less complicated to song (as this is frequently seen!) and while watching different horses, you as we communicate comprehend the age of the pony, and the place this is from. (assuming you comprehend your close by kind symbols!) I additionally think of that branding will deter thieves. in case you have a horse stolen, then placed out the be conscious that a horse has been stolen with a definite kind, human beings will shop a glance-out and there's a greater hazard that the pony would be got here upon. My horse is branded on the two his shoulders. One along with his delivery year and what proportion foal is grew to become into that year (very equivalent to the thoroughbred kind) and the different shoulder has the stud kind. exciting tale approximately manufacturers- I as quickly as observed a horse with the comparable kind as a horse I used to experience. through asking his proprietor, i grew to become into able to looking out that this grew to become into the brother to the different horse and that i got here upon what stud he grew to become into from and his racing occupation information!

Answer 9

Sorry, I dont have answer for your question. But what is microchipping?