freeze brands

[the galah]

last week there was a decision in the case involving a trainer mistakenly getting the identity of a couple of his horses mixed up, which most likely would have been avoided had the trainer had the option of freeze branding his horse,instead of micro chipping.

the hearing accepted david mccormick had no intention whatsoever to deceive anyone but fined him $600 .When the horse was first presented at the trials the stipes pointed out the micro chip reader was saying the number was 1 out . Mccormick believed the error would have been made as a result of some sort of clerical error and elected to start his horse,seemingly sure in his belief that he had not confused two fillies he had, some time prior to working them.

It was suggested the most reliable way for  trainers to avoid such a mix up,is for trainers to purchase a micro chip reader  These seem to cost somewhere between $100 and close to $500,depending on how good a scanner you want.

previously i have started a topic,asking why NZ horse owners/breeders don't have the option of freeze branding their horses.

After all,you can freeze brand in the USA and canada.costs about another $50 , about  1/4 of harness horses in the usa are still freeze branded.Some like  jeff gural both freeze brands and micro chips each horse,due to caring about where they may end up atfter their racing career. Amish owned horses make up a large portion of the freeze branded horses each year.Their religious beliefs around chips  is the main reason they choose to freeze brand instead of chip.Amish have a lot of ex harness horse,using them to transport them around .

animal welfare issues are a reason rescue organisations who advocate for harness horses after racing, have been particularly vocal around retainhg freeze branding. They say ex racehorses who could be saved or rehomed if they were identifiable at the sales where many are sent to be slaughtered,but  due to how they are often housed pre sale,can not be easily scanned and identified as harness horese. The amish apparently don't like buying them at sales if no brand.

It does make you wonder ,is part of the reason their is no longer a freeze brand option,to avoid the attention the industry may get from animal welfare groups,if they were to find out exactly what happens to so many racehorses when they are no longer viable racing propositions.you would think that should have been  in the back of the minds as a consequence of those who made the decision not to continue with an option of freeze branding. Personally i've always thought theres something not quite right,in implanting a chip in an animal,when there is another option that does the same thing.

Edited 5 hours ago by the galah