Ban Hot and Freeze Branding in New Forest
Ban Hot and Freeze Branding in New Forest
The Issue
Today whilst walking in Lyndhurst, I came across a young horse who was visibly uncomfortable. Upon closer inspection it became apparent that the horse had been hot branded and the wound was open and full of flies, causing the poor horse distress. I could see a wet patch on it’s back where it had been trying to lick the wound but could not reach. Not only is fly strike deadly in horses, but the initial branding process also causes unnecessary pain and discomfort.
Branding, whether by hot iron or freezing, has long been used for marking livestock. However, in 2025, we must reconsider practices that are both archaic and cruel. The New Forest, a region famed for its natural beauty and wild animals, should be a haven of humane treatment and conservation, not a hilltop where old-fashioned and painful methods persist.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), branding with hot irons can not only cause severe pain while being administered but can also lead to prolonged suffering due to infection, which is evident in cases like the one I witnessed. Comprehensive studies have revealed that such procedures can cause prolonged distress and are no longer necessary with the availability of advanced and humane identification methods.
Microchipping and non-invasive mark identification solutions are available and are cost-effective. These modern solutions should replace branding practices in New Forest, ensuring the welfare of our animals while maintaining the integrity of animal identification.
Authorities in charge of animal welfare and the commoners should take immediate action to end these branding practices. By adopting newer identification technologies, we can protect the legacy of New Forest livestock without causing them harm. We must stand together to foster change and advocate for animal rights.
Join me in urging the relevant authorities to end the cruel and outdated practice of hot and freeze branding on animals in the New Forest. Sign the petition today to help ensure a future of cruelty-free animal care.
89
The Issue
Today whilst walking in Lyndhurst, I came across a young horse who was visibly uncomfortable. Upon closer inspection it became apparent that the horse had been hot branded and the wound was open and full of flies, causing the poor horse distress. I could see a wet patch on it’s back where it had been trying to lick the wound but could not reach. Not only is fly strike deadly in horses, but the initial branding process also causes unnecessary pain and discomfort.
Branding, whether by hot iron or freezing, has long been used for marking livestock. However, in 2025, we must reconsider practices that are both archaic and cruel. The New Forest, a region famed for its natural beauty and wild animals, should be a haven of humane treatment and conservation, not a hilltop where old-fashioned and painful methods persist.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), branding with hot irons can not only cause severe pain while being administered but can also lead to prolonged suffering due to infection, which is evident in cases like the one I witnessed. Comprehensive studies have revealed that such procedures can cause prolonged distress and are no longer necessary with the availability of advanced and humane identification methods.
Microchipping and non-invasive mark identification solutions are available and are cost-effective. These modern solutions should replace branding practices in New Forest, ensuring the welfare of our animals while maintaining the integrity of animal identification.
Authorities in charge of animal welfare and the commoners should take immediate action to end these branding practices. By adopting newer identification technologies, we can protect the legacy of New Forest livestock without causing them harm. We must stand together to foster change and advocate for animal rights.
Join me in urging the relevant authorities to end the cruel and outdated practice of hot and freeze branding on animals in the New Forest. Sign the petition today to help ensure a future of cruelty-free animal care.
89
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Petition created on 29 April 2025