Conference noted::equitation

    Sherry,
    
    I have no idea what the brand might be but I don't think it's a "US
    Cavalry Remount" brand. The Remount Stations were disbanded more than 40
    years ago when the cavalry was officially unhorsed in favor of armored
    vehicles. If I recall correctly, cavalry horses were simply branded
    US rather than with a fancy RE. The Remount Stations stood stallions
    for cheap fees and local breeders could use the stallions and sell
    their young stock to the Army for remounts. Horses were simply bought
    in bulk lots and sent off to cavalry units for training as remounts.
    
    I have a book on the cavalry history around somewhere. I'll check to
    see if it has any details on brands they used etc.

    Sherry,
    
    I also have a new horse with a brand...He's an Arabian and the brand
    is under his mane on his neck.  The brand is about 10 inches long and
    I think it says ARAB.  In your brand replies, if you come across anyone
    that knows of the significance of this, could you let me know?
    
    Thanks, and hope you find your answer.
    
    Wendy
    

    Sherry,
    
    I checked my references on the cavalry and Remount Service last night.
    Unfortunately, the don't mention branding at all. However, they did say
    that the Remount Service was part of the Quartermaster Corps function
    and their job was to supply the Army with horses and breed a small
    number of special use horses like Olympic mounts. For the most part,
    they simply bought horses and sent them to Remount Depots for training
    before they went on to regular units.
    
    In 1913, they began standing stallions at Remount Depots and with 
    civilian agents in an attempt to get better horses for the Army. This
    program used mostly Thoroughbred and Morgan stallions. Local breeders
    could use the stallions for a slight fee which was waived if the foal
    was a filly that they kept for breeding or if they sold the
    colt/gelding to the Army. 
    
    The cavalry units were mechanized during the course of World War II and 
    the Army sold off its remaining horses (except pensioners and
    ceremonial horses) in 1949. Also, the 1948 Olympics were the last time the
    equestrian team was supplied by the military. Consequently, the Remount 
    Service has been unnecessary for nearly 50 years. So, I doubt that the 
    brand in question indicates the Remount Service or that this horse came 
    from the Remount Service.
    
    John

    	Well, I mentioned the brand to a friend of mine whose ex is a
    	horse dealer in VA. She knows she has seen this brand before
    	and is in the process of tracking it down for me. I'll let you
    	all know if I find out anything!
    
    	Sherry
    

    Re: .2
    
    Wendy,
    
        The brand on your Arabian sounds like a freeze brand. I'm not up on
    the registration of Arabians, but I think all of them are freeze
    branded by the registry. The freeze brand is done with liquid nitrogen
    as opposed to a hot branding iron. It contains a code for the breed
    (an A for Arabians), following by codes for numbers representing the
    year the horse was born (last 2 digits of the year) and the horse's
    registration number. The codes that are used are double lines
    (horizontal for zero and vertical for one), and a right angle at
    various rotations for the other numbers. As far as I know, freeze brands 
    are done on the neck only and can be on either side. 
    
        Horses other than Arabians can be freeze branded but it is up to
    the owner to get it done. We had our Morgans freeze branded and we got
    an identification card for each horse which shows their white markings,
    hair whorls, and the freeze brand.
    
        Do you have registration papers for your horse? That may have the
    freeze brand on it so you can see exactly what it is. Usually you have
    to shave the area to be able to read it clearly.
    
    						Jan

    Thanks so much Jan, Can't wait to run home and check the
    numbers out on Aladans neck.  This sure helped me out.
    I'll let you know if I come up with anything..and nope..
    don't have papers.
    
    Wendy