Posted 2005-08-04 11:22 PM (#28894) Subject: How do you read brands?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
We know nothing about my daughter's pony except an educated guess at his age. He came to us via a "horse trader" who got him from another of his profession. What he does have is 2, possibly 3, brands. We'd love to find out more about this little guy...what his general breeding is, training background, even his name! He didn't come with one!!! I've been trying to find info on how to track down where a brand is from, but have hit only dead ends. The local brand inspector hasn't returned my many calls, so he's useless. Any ideas to help me in this search? Thanks in advance!
Posted 2005-08-05 11:46 PM (#28917 - in reply to #28894) Subject: RE: How do you read brands?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
The pony is at a trainer right now, so my memory might be sketchy w/o him here. The first brand is a circle on his left cheek. The second is a "faint" hat shape on his left hindquarter. That one is kinda weird...like it didn't work well. The skin isn't burnt, nor is there any white hair, just a deeper impression which only shows during summer when his hair is sleek. The third is the one I can't remember well. It's complicated, meaning it has several shapes, not a simple design. It is also right where his butt joins his gaskin, left side, so since there's a dent there I don't think the brand "took" well. I'm going to see him this weekend and I'll try to get pictures or take specific notes. Thanks for responding! My vet did say he was hot branded, not freeze branded, if that helps any.
Posted 2005-08-06 12:02 AM (#28919 - in reply to #28894) Subject: RE: How do you read brands?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
Brand inspector is the best bet. Brands are not made public normally. Location of brand may mean different owners, ie Uncle Sam may have the right shoulder and Joe Snow may have the left hip. And the same brand may be registered in many states with different owners. Brand inspections are not to expensive, and may be the only way you will find what you need.
Posted 2005-08-06 11:18 AM (#28928 - in reply to #28894) Subject: RE: How do you read brands?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
OK, I know the left cheek brand is his year of birth. It's your guess as to 1990 or 2000. The 0 indicates year of birth. I had a great appendix QH mare, now sold, and my farrier told me how to read her brands. Have you asked yours?
Posted 2005-08-06 1:16 PM (#28930 - in reply to #28894) Subject: RE: How do you read brands?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
No, I haven't asked my farriers. I use 2, one horse gets "special" shoeing, the others get "regular" shoeing/trimming. Good idea though! In fact, the trainer is a farrier too, and maybe he'll have an idea. As to the cheek meaning the year of birth, that makes sense. The guy I bought him from and my vet agreed he was about 13, so if the cheek gives his birth as 1990, that'd make him 15....Not too much off, and you never know what time of year the colt was born. Thanks!
As to the brand inspector, he never returned any of my calls. I'm not sure how to get him to do an inspection if he won't even call me!!!! Maybe I can take him to the local auction, pretend I'm selling him to get an inspection. Aren't the inspectors always at auctions? My major problem is that if I ever go to an auction(especially with a trailer!) I'll end up bringing home another mouth to feed....I already have 2 old pasture ornaments as it is...love 'em, but certainly don't need any more.
Posted 2005-08-07 11:06 AM (#28944 - in reply to #28930) Subject: RE: How do you read brands?
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I had an old gelding that was branded and tried finding info on it. I never found it, but there are a few websites that have brand info and you can post pictures of the brands to see if anyone else knows it. I can't remember the site off hand, but I'll check and see if I still have it saved somewhere.
Posted 2005-08-07 1:05 PM (#28948 - in reply to #28894) Subject: RE: How do you read brands?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
Thanks for that brand site. I found another one(Texas something) that you can post brand searches to, but only one person responded about actually finding out about a brand. This may be a futile search, but it's kinda fun too. Kinda like a mystery! Maybe I'll get lucky! I'm going to see the little guy - not that little, 13.3h - today and I'll try to get some shots of his brands and post them. Thanks for any and all help!
How do you read brands?
so he's useless. Any ideas to help me in this search?
Thanks in advance!
My vet did say he was hot branded, not freeze branded, if that helps any.
....I already have 2 old pasture ornaments as it is...love 'em, but certainly don't need any more..jpg)
Maybe I'll get lucky! I'm going to see the little guy - not that little, 13.3h - today and I'll try to get some shots of his brands and post them. Thanks for any and all help!