Branding iron

In the Americas these European systems continued with English tradition being used in the New England Colonies and spread outwards with the western expansion of the U.S.

The Spanish system evolved from the south with the vaquero tradition in what today is the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

The unique brand meant that cattle owned by multiple owners could then graze freely together on the commons or open range.

While they require longer lengths of time to heat, are inconsistent in temperature and all around inferior to more advanced forms of branding, they are inexpensive to produce and purchase.

This white-on-dark pattern is prized by cattle ranchers as its contrast allows some range work to be conducted with binoculars rather than individual visits to every animal.

Shorter times are used on dark-colored animals, as this causes follicle melanocyte death and hence permanent pigment loss to the hair when it regrows.

Cattle, horses and other livestock are commonly branded today for the same reason they were in Ancient times, to prove ownership.

Branding Irons are used often by makers of horse tack often in place of a steel leather stamp to indicate craftsmanship.