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Horses can be identified in two different ways: freeze branding or with the insertion of a microchip under the skin on the left neck just under the mane. Branding in the traditional way with a hot iron is no longer commonly, carried out. Instead, the more modern method of freeze branding is used because it is less painful for the horse and because the brand is usually easier to decipher. It is now compulsory to freeze-brand Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. All veterinarians are qualified to carry out freeze branding.

Freeze branding involves the application of a super chilled refrigerant via a copper alloy brand to the horse's skin, resulting in a white-haired or bald-centered mark. The refrigerant is usually dry ice, mixed with alcohol (methylated spirits). Liquid nitrogen can be used but it is more expensive. Clip and shave the horse, have it sedated and if necessary use a nose twitch while the brand is applied. If you are using dry ice, apply the brand for 45 seconds; if liquid nitrogen is used apply it for 10 seconds.

Thoroughbreds are branded using the following convention: the near-side shoulder is branded with the stud brand and the off-side shoulder is branded with two numbers, one on top of each other. The bottom number is the year in which the horse was born and the top number is the chronological number given to each foal born at that particular stud that year. For example, a horse with the off-side
shoulder branded 6 over 3 was the sixth foal born in 1993, or in 1983 (or 1973 if it is really old).  You can tell in which decade the horse was born by an examination of its teeth.

Standardbreds are freeze branded using an alpha-angle coding system on the offside of the neck beneath the mane (using a set of parallel bars and bars set at right angles to represent numbers). Foals are usually branded at three months by Identification Officers of the Harness Racing Authority in each State. An explanation of the code is given in Horse Notes, Department of Primary Industry, Tasmania 1990, No. 28 Identification.

NON-VETERINARY FREEZE BRANDING SERVICES

Mane Lodge

Gundaroo Road
Sutton NSW 2620
Phone: 02 6230-3324,
Contact: Neil Osborne.

Arctic Freezebranding Services

225 Binalong Road,
Bimba Park NSW
Phone: (02) 606-6421.

Hummelstads

43 Lillipool Rd
South Grafton 2461
Phone/ Fax: 02 66 427130 Atfer Hours: 02 66 497142
Email: hummelstad@bigpond.com.au

T H Starr & Co

88 Minter Street,
Canterbury NSW
Phone: (02) 718-1769.

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