| Q: |
_ |
Is freeze marking painful? |
| A: |
|
It is a humane way of marking a horse
permanently. Freeze marking stings for a few seconds until
area is frozen then all that is felt is the pressure of
the iron. |
| |
| Q: |
|
Why is micro chipping not enough? |
| A: |
|
Because it doesn’t prevent the
theft or find your horse, only serves of proof of ownership
IF the horse is actually found! Also chip can be removed. |
| |
| Q: |
|
How do you mark light coloured horses? |
| A: |
|
Instead of killing the
pigmentation in the hair cells in order to produce white
hair, a small amount of hair is killed so that the skin
shows through. This is usually placed on the shoulder. |
| |
| Q: |
|
Can horses be ridden after they have been freeze
marked? |
| A: |
|
It is recommended you
do not ride your horse until after the scabs have gone.
However, there are variable reactions to marking and if
the area appears at all sensitive, it is better to leave
the horse a little longer. Horses that have been marked
on the shoulder. Please wait 7 days before riding them again
with a back mark as long as a THICK numnah is used right
up till the white hair grows back. The waiting period is
2-3 days for a shoulder mark. |
| |
| Q: |
|
Should numnahs be used after the horse has
been marked? |
| A: |
|
It is essential to use a thick numnah or cloth
until the white hair has grown through. |
| |
| Q: |
|
What is the youngest age a horse can be marked? |
| A: |
|
It is preferable not to
mark under 12 months of age however small breeds maybe done
as young as four months. |
| |
| Q: |
|
Will freeze marking be detrimental when showing
horses in-hand? |
| A: |
|
Freeze marking has been
recommended to breed societies and we have had no reports
that the marking has caused horses to be placed down. In
fact, owners have been complimented by judges for having
their horses freeze marked. |
| |
| Q: |
|
Will freeze marking reduce insurance premiums?
|
| A: |
|
Yes, substantial premium
reductions are available from some companies. |
| |
| Q: |
|
What happens when the coat grows in winter?
|
| A: |
|
In some circumstances,
especially with a bald mark, it will be necessary to clip
the mark to ensure good visibility. |
| |
| Q: |
|
What happens if a horse goes missing? |
| A: |
|
Contact us immediately.
We distribute the digital photos of the horse in our database
to all An Garda Siochana stations in the country as well
as notify ports, slaughterhouses and horse sales. Padlock-Ireland
maintains contact with the Gardai and horse rescue and advertising
organisations. |
| |
