Mustang Milestone: The Freeze Brand
Today, for the first time, BLM agents came to inspect Spring’s environment, and to mark her with a freeze brand; forever identifying her as an adopted BLM mustang.
Mustang Milestone: The Freeze Brand belongs to the following groups:
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Three months ago tomorrow, Spring was rescued from certain death on the open range.
Today, for the first time, BLM agents came to inspect Spring’s environment, and to mark her with a freeze brand; forever identifying her as an adopted BLM mustang.
Having never been mistreated by humans, Spring is very trusting and easy to handle. She tolerates a halter, but she does not like being tied. 
She was very cooperative throughout the slightly painful branding process—except she did not like the noise made by the electric shears.
The branding is pretty simple:
1. Bzzzz ... The area to be branded is shaved.
(The agents took care to put it on the side where her mane naturally falls.)
2. Brrrr!! Cleanse the area with alcohol
_
3. Yyyyouch! When the branding iron is sufficiently cold, it is applied to the shaven area and held for several seconds.
_ _
In a few days, the branded area will blister, then scab over.
When it heals, the hair will grow back without pigmentation,
forming a permanent white hair tattoo.
_ _
Nine months from now, Spring’s adoption will be official.
Canon 350D EOS
Sigma 75/300mm
David Hibberd
Lovely!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you, Davo!
Tamara Valjean
Very cool photo story, thanks for sharing this!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thank you – and you’re welcome! :D
Enivea
A nice description of the process. Spring seems to have handled it like a pro:-)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Yep. She is a trooper!
FlowersEtc
Oh, congratulations on the offical marking that ensures Springs safety. :))))
She looks gorgeous since I last saw her. sounds like she is still full of her wild spriit :)))
Hugs and one for you too. 8-)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Hmm .. I hadn’t thought of it quite like that …
Yes, Spring has plenty of fire in her gentle spirit.
Thanks very much – I will pass along the hugs – with pleasure. :)
Lynn Bawden
It is very heart warming to follow Spring’s progress. I still brag on you on the way you saved Spring, Arla…Lynn
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, Lynn!
We are rewarded every day. ;)
Terri Chandler
Aw! Poor baby! ;o) I didn’t realize they had a cold brand procedure like that. In my mind anyway, that has to be better than a hot brand. cry I’m so glad she’s well on her way to being a well adjusted and loved part of the family! Huge Hugs! Terri
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, Terri!
I think this cold brand is not much worse than ear-piercing. Definitely MUCH less painful than a hot iron on the rump! The mark is under the mane, and doesn’t mar the beauty of the horse.
Our girl is happy, friendly, and just makes one feel sparkly in her presence. :D
RodeoImagesAus
Poor baby havig to go thru that but the outcome for her is just so wonderful. I think a little pain now for a life of love and tender care having been adopted will be worth it.
Thanks for keeping us up to date..
Arla M. Ruggles replied
I suppose after being mauled by a mountain lion, and going through the trauma of getting those wounds cleaned and dressed, plus penicilin shots
- a little frostbite is a walk in the park. She seems to know when people are trying to help her, and she did not fight -except the noisy clippers, which don’t hurt. Our Spring is one tough pony! :DVanessa Anderberg
I am so happy for Spring….Good for her:)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks, Vanessa!
Dawnsky2
aww, no wonder she was running haha,,thanks for sharing, so glad she is doing so well :)
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Technically, the photo is out of sequence—taken before the branding, as she followed Annie and Ray up to meet her fate.
I just thought it made better story this way. ;p
Thanks for caring about her, Laura! :)
Diane Swarts
This just pulls at my heartstrings, she looks so healthy and beautiful now compared to the early pictures. You ROCK!!!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Ah … Spring rocks. I just roll.
Thanks so much, Diane!
carolsuzanne
This is great! I think the cold branding is kind of like when I have skin cancers frozen off my face. It hurts—but it is more like a stinging hurt than a bad pain hurt and it’s really not too bad at all. And how great it is for her to be an adopted girl and to have a forever home! You’re making a miracle happen!
Arla M. Ruggles replied
Thanks so much, Carolsuzanne!
Finding Spring was the first miracle – every day with her is another one. They used dry ice to freeze the branding iron, and it didn’t really take as well as the c02 brands do. Just barely shows. I’m not complaining. She has plenty of identifying marks without that. ;p