All the info on getting a registered brand is
certainly correct. Each state has it's own rules but it is not
legal to brand any livestock, including horses, with a mark not registered
to you.
There is a way to have your horse branded without
having to register a brand, and have the irons made.
(Irons will cost anywhere from $50 and
up. Freeze brand irons are best made from
copper/brass.)
Find a friend who has a registered brand, use that
on your horse, they will give you a bill of sale, that you will give to the
brand inspector in exchange for a certificate that shows you own the
horse. The whole thing is filed with the state brand inspector for
reference if the horse is lost, found, stolen, whatever. Some states issue
a lifetime card, with picture, that is good for travel in many nearby
states.
Most states prefer this rather than 100s of brands
which are likely on only one horse.
As to placement of the brand, if you have a choice,
the left shoulder is the choice of most "old
timers",
theory being it
had to be seen when saddling the horse. No excuses.
I don't know where else to ask but here.
One of my boarders wants to freeze brand her horse with her initials on the
off side hip. I've always branded mine on the near side. I don't
know if a horse is stolen and run through a sale if anyone looks for brands on
the off side. Any comments on this? Thanks.
