Articles

Branding Tips

June 2008


Diagrammatic placement of shoulder and hindquarter brands.


Hindquarter brand placed too high.


Hindquarter brand correctly placed behind the stifle joint and below a horizontal line drawn backwards from the point of the shoulder.

We have all from time to time seen Hanoverian horses with less-than-perfect brands; the brand is smudged (because the horse flinched or because the iron was applied more than once), there is scarring (the iron was too hot), the brand does not show (the iron was too cool, or not applied for long enough), the brand is not in the correct position (I once had a vet ask me where to put it), and I know of at least one brand that has been applied upside down!

Eric Ropiha has kindly outlined some basic points to help you ensure that your foal's brand comes out as clearly as possible.

"The branding iron must be heated until it shows a red glow, then removed from the heat and allowed to cool until the redness is just going off – about 10-15 seconds.

"The brand is held on for the feel of a firm pressure, so that all of the brand contacts the horse.

"Application should include a slight rolling motion to allow the flat surface of the brand to contact the curved surface of the muscle evenly."

The position of the brands: "The numbers are placed on the left shoulder, the "Hnz" on the left haunch. The brands should appear level with each other.

"There is a tendency to place the numbers too high on the shoulder, because placing them lower causes the horse to flinch more. However, if placed too high, this incorrect position will get worse as the foal grows.

"To calculate correct placement, draw an imaginary, horizontal line from the point of the shoulder back towards the hindquarters. This line should pass just above the stifle joint. The brands should be applied on the large muscle mass below this line. On the shoulder this is the lateral head of the triceps muscle. On the hindquarter it is the biceps femoris muscle.“If the foal has a thick coat, the brander may ask you to shave the area.

"After branding, the area will be raw at first and possibly swollen. Keep it clean and open to the air. Watch for signs of infection. Normally, a scab will form, which falls off after healing has taken place."