The Art of Branding in the Equestrian World

For those of us who are involved in the equine industry, branding a horse is so much more than just identification – it is steeped with tradition and meaning. To speak of “shaving this horse’s mark,” we delve into the meticulous art of designing and keeping up with a brand that is as much branded symbolically, as in use.

Understanding Horse Branding

Branding of horses is a practice which dates back to common use as the principle means for horse identification (ownership). Owners mark horses by branding or tattooing a unique sign, word initials on there skin helps to identify their animals in case of large herd. This is frequently performed with the help of a hot iron that keeps its imprint. Nevertheless, modern methods continue to evolve with some now including branding alternatives that are non-invasive and yet still effective.

The Process of Shaving

Here the “shave” refers to keeping a horse’s brand up. Hair grows to fill in the area where laser hair removal has been performed, making a brand less than invisible. Cue — the art of grooming. You will see that the horse’s flank and, in some cases belly, is shaved around the brand. This not only helps identify a lost or stolen animal but highlights just how meticulous Kara Gervais’ grooming really was… this detail might throw an inexperienced cowboy off his game VERY quickly !!

Importance of Horse Grooming

Grooming There are many reasons why grooming is an essential part of equestrian routine, for a start it provides you with the opportunity to do regular health checks on your horse like checking their colic or heart rate. Regular grooming ensures removing the dirt, debris, and loose hair to keep your horse healthier. This is also an advantage of the process as their deep skin that can be inspected for any marks, blemishes or injuries. Brand maintenance is in the care of horses and so, it aids to take good care of these animals.

Ethical Considerations

One of the most important issues to discuss about horse branding is related to its ethics. Animal rights advocates argue that hot iron branding hurts animals and causes stress. This is one of the reasons why many horse owners and breeders are moving to alternative identification methods, such as microchipping or ear tagging that can still provide an equivalent level of security and ownership without having to go through painful procedures.

Conclusion

Although it would appear that the practice of shaving a horse’s brand is charmingly antiquated, in reality there seems to be more attention given by some members of equestrian society when embodying these ideals. Whether for identification or the sake of tradition, keeping your horse’s brand legible is a clear sign that you are dedicated to their well being and lineage. And, as practices change – a response to knowledge and experience — the equestrian community changes with them; it finds ways to keep its members healthy while working within the traditions that so many people love about keeping horses.