Hi, I am new to this forum and would like information please, do they do freeze branding or hoof branding in france, am having concerns that someone has been in the field with our young colt who is too friendly for his own good, and have now got to the stage that we are going to erect a double steel gate and padlock it. In the last 14 days we have had the feeling that a stranger has been in, and the animals are unsettled. Things have been moved around and our due to lamb suffolks have been released from their pen. Any info for branding would be appreciated as we dont want to come home and find our young boy gone.

Manche (50)

Hi there,

I'm really sorry to hear that someone may have been on your property interfering with your animals. What a horrible thought.

As far as I know, they do not freeze mark over here. All horses are fitted with microchips. This is not an expensive process and is pretty quick and painless.

Ask your vet. All the best.

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Mummy's little monkey

Hi, thanks for that, he is already microchipped, just thought there might a visual thing I could do to deter unwanted strangers, will keep looking. Am heading to vets on monday for innoculation for one of the dogs so will ask them.

Poor you. I would be worried sick if I thought someone had been in with my animals. I hope you find a solution. Maybe you should spread the word locally just incase the culprits live in the area. If word gets out that you know something is going on they may back off.

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Never smile at a crocodile...

We are trying differant things at the moment to make life a bit more difficult if someone choose to remove him, its not night time that they seem to be around but the day, and i know its not the chasse as we know the local guys. Our problem is we work here so are out for sections of the day, might end up going down the camera root if things are still uneasy over the next couple of weeks. We live in south manche near Avranches incase any one else is having problems.

Strange - and I know that does not change the fact that you have the impression that someone is interfering with your animals - but I will reassure you by saying that horses do not go walkies over here as often as in the UK, we hear of the stories in the UK and they are beyond belief. I live about an hour from Avranches, (and have done for the past 20 odd years) , thefts are more frequent around the Paris area.

VERY, VERY worrisome happenings for you & I hope things resolve quickly & that the fears of horse rustling are ended. I would be sick with anxiety, too. Even though we're retired, thus at home almost all the time with the horses, I can never stop worrying a little every time we leave the house, even if it's just to go marketing!

Do you have decent neighbors who could be informed of your worries? What about one of those incredible large guard dog breeds? Have you thought of speaking with the gendarmerie?

Good luck & keep us posted as to the outcome,

Rochelle

It seems like just last week I read a post by Horseybird where she had worries about one of hers. Sorry, I don't remember what thread it was on. She put signs up & on his blanket.

It couldn't hurt to put on sign on the gate that says he is micro chipped for easy identification.

I have seen tattoo kits (for sheep & goats- maybe they have for horses, too?) in mail order catalogs.

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Thanks for all your messages of support and ideas, spoke to our local vet, the vacant expression said it all regarding the idea of freeze branding. We are putting up signs in french and english stating that the horses are microchipped. And just keep watch.