"Horse Theft.  Been There--Done That" 
by Debi Metcalfe

HORSE IDENTIFICATION METHODS
Identify Your Horse

 Photo courtesy of Tonya Halvorsrod

Identification can be used not only to identify stolen horses but also horses lost from their owners.  In some states, identification of one of the following methods is used on health papers and Coggins test confirmation.  When separated from your horse, how are you going to find and prove that it belongs to you?  

All of our horses have been freeze branded and micro-chipped.  We felt a freeze brand would be easily seen and aid in recovery if needed.  The microchip is like our secret back up plan and will help us prove ownership.

We freeze branded our horses ourselves, after researching different methods of identification.  We would have had a professional do the branding for us if there had been one available.   

The cost of identification was a concern for us since we had several horses to identify.  This may or may not be a concern for you.   

We do not recommend any one particular type of identification over another.  Each person should do their own research and pick the method that fits their needs the best.  

The information that follows is condensed.  Read full instructions on the method picked.  Sometimes this can be through representative companies or through your state Agriculture Department.

   

continued in book - Chapter 4 Horse Identification Methods

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