Patty wrote:
>>>Regardless of what kind of whip he is apparently holding, the mere
fact that it doesn't bother them to burn the flesh in the shape of a clover so
the horse will permanently bare their name, is enough reason for me to not want
to one. I've never agreed with branding like that and never will. I don't
believe we should cause that kind of pain to animals just to stroke our own
egos. <<<
We have a Rushcreek gelding. The ranch branding
their horses has NOTHING to do with ego. In fact, the horses being a
business had not been a priority until recently. The horses have always been
bred for use on the ranch, not to raise them and sell them. They used to only
sell when they rotated horses our of being used for the ranch work, or if one
just did not work out as a "cow horse".
When we got a tour of the ranch, the yearlings and
2 year olds were all running loose in a large turn out. I'd ask "what about
number XXX", and the manager would rattle off the name, sire, dam of the horse.
If he could not remember, he had it in a little notebook in his pocket. The
number and cloverleaf ID's THAT horse, from any other, and is an excellent
method for a ranch that runs 100's of horses out in pasture. When you have a
working ranch, with different cowboys using the horses, a quick ID method
is very practical. I'd also guess since they brand the cattle with the
same hot brand, they just gather the latest group of young horses and use the
same branding iron.
They name their horses each year starting with the
same letter of the alphabet, and then the next year, the next letter in the
alphabet. This also is helpful for those who know a year when any Rushcreek
horse was born, and you are given the name, you can usually figure out how old
the horse is.
Trust me, he did not suffer any ill effects of
being branded. ;-) And glad you don't want one Patty. Leaves more
for those of us who appreciate the quality horses they have produced over the
years.
Jonni and Rushcreek Gambler, with his big
cloverleaf and 467 on his hip.
