Finding/checking brands

So I've been looking at a few horses and many of them are being sold unreg, or their owners have lost their papers, which is fine as their price reflects this. Although, they are apparently are branded, and I would like to check them to verify their age.

Unfortunately it seems that they have those "invisible" sorts of brands. The fire ones that you can only really make out if the horse is clipped, but I can't just go around clipping the shoulders I've horses I am interested in buying.

Are there any special tricks to make out brands? I hear water can help..

We have always clipped, but like you said you can't go around clipping horses you don't own. If they are branded with heat sometimes you can feel it, water may help the hair lay down so you can see it. I have never tried anything but clipping though.

Brands are not going to verify age for you unless they were also branded with a year brand or the registered brand owner knows the age of the horse. Also knowing what state the brand registered in will be helpful. Some state ag depts. Have a pdf file you can download of the brand book. Some don't. You can try getting a hold of the brand office and see if you can fax a drawing of the brand and where it is located on the horse and have them identify it for you.

Good Luck!
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Well in Australia horses, well at least the breeds I am generally looking at, have a stud brand on the near shoulder, and then a foaling number over a birth year number on their off shoulder. So that helps to know how old they are. I'll try feeling and then water.

Sorry, I just seen your in Australia....disregard :)