First I would like to introduce myself. My family and I are first time owners of a Standardbred horse. His name is Bet Howie O. (2DC20) He is the most amazing horse.
We adopted him from theĀ Standardbred Retirement FoundationĀ about 3 months ago. We researched his information, contacted previous owners and trainers to find his history all through the use of his freeze brand. In fact, the only reason he was rescued and saved from slaughter is because of this brand. The brand was spotted in the kill pen pipeline and he was pulled. His previous owners and trainers were contacted and he was saved.
No one is going to jump into a pen of scared horses and scan a microchip. No one will ID the standardbreds in pens full of horses heading off to be slaughtered. Freeze brands are the way they are IDed and saved. The freeze brand is a major source of conversation to anyone who sees our horse and to us it is a badge of honor. People always ask where did he come from? Why does he have it? What does it mean? It helps us to further educate people on the amazing horses standardbreds are.
You do a disservice to the industry. owners, trainers, and these wonderful creatures by eliminating the freeze brand. You are just ensuring that more of them will end up dead and less will live out their lives as pleasure horses and show horses. You also do a major disservice to those of us who have fallen in love with the breed and are looking to own more standardbred horses in the future.
We would know as much about our horse as we do now if it were not for the freeze brand. Foaled at Purple Haze. Sold as a yearling for $27,000. Raced and owned at one time by the Okuskos and John Hogan. Winner of $26000+ during his career. Retired sound. Given away after a divorce by his last race owner. Ended up with the Amish. Had road shoes left on too long and as a result of hoof issues was sold to be slaughtered. His father is Bettors Delight. He has several Multi Million dollar winners in his bloodlines.
We have had amazing conversations with his previous owners and trainers. We have collected race photos and even one of his halters with his name on it he wore while he was racing.
Don’t eliminate the freeze branding of these horses. It is a badge of honor, a way to educate people, and for some of these horses it is their last hope.
Bet Howie O has become a part of our family. He is loved by our 12yr old daughter Grace who has been riding for 6yrs. Howie is going to become her show horse in English WTC and some Jumping. He is doing amazing after only a few short months with us. I have attached some before and after pictures for you to see the progress he has made.
We have also recently become USTA members and now the official registered owners of Bet Howie O.