Ignorant horse buyer and Brand inspection.

Anyone know if Arizona is on the list? My horse was abandoned, then taken in by the people who gave him to me. I have a bill of sale for $1. But at the time I thought his name was Gus, they had never checked his lip tattoo. If I do need a BI, will the hand written (signed by previous owner, but I'd bet a million dollars they never had him Brand inspected) bill of sale be enough to prove ownership?

Huh, I have never had any experience with BI either. I know that there is one that goes to the local stockyard sometimes to check cattle but I've never had one done on a horse. That's kinda screwball that some states require them but some states don't.

Okay, now to answer my own question. My husband's google-fu is awesome and he found that as of 2002 licensing and registration (our equivalent of a BI in regards to horses apparently) in AZ is voluntary and there is no penalty if a horse owner chooses not to participate.

Whew.

The only reference to BI, with regards to horses, in AZ I could find was in reference to horses intended for use as meat.

Three of my horses (Claymore, Freyja, and Finn) had BIs done when they were transported to me out of SD. I hung on to the paperwork because I didn't know if it was important or not - since I am not in a BI state is there any reason to continue to hold on to them (a year later)?

I'd hang onto them just in case or some reason you end up transporting your horse into or through a BI state, you'll have the paperwork. It also serves as one more piece of "proof" that you own those horses, should that ever be questioned.

You know what, that's probably a really good idea. Since my horses aren't registered, all I have are BOS. I don't even have that on Freyja, since she was free, but I do have her transport coggins and her BI - so I'll keep hold of them - thanks Delfina!

Sorry, I know I'm kinda randomly popping in, and I apologize if I say something that's already been discussed....

In Montana, a BI is proof that you own your horse, as much as or more so than a bill of sale. I'm not sure why that is, but that's what people are all about. Every time I've bought a horse, that has been a major point. And you can get permanent ones, where the inspector gives them to you and they are all laminated and nice and they say the owners name... And it's for as long as you keep your horse. Some you have to get... like every time you leave your county, but it gets expensive.

Just throwing that out there. =)

I have a binder will all of Stifflers info in it so that way I always know where it is :)

Now this may be a stupid question... but what if a horse doesn't have a brand?

I believe that their markings and any scars they may have that get documented as well. Basically, anything that can positively identify the horse.

I may be wrong though, we don't have brand inspectors around here.