Learning About Brands:

The History of Branding Irons

THE HISTORY OF BRANDING IRONS

For some 4,000 years branding irons have been used as a means of identification and a sign of ownership. The Ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians branded not only their livestock, but criminals and slaves as well. It is generally believed Hernando Cortez introduced branding irons to the New World in 1540.

Today, a man's brand means much more than mere livestock identity. To the rancher, it is his reputation, his coat of arms; his family history...the brand lives on long after the name is forgotten. Even back in 1885, Colorado had 12,000 registered brands. Today, Texas has some 230,000 brands registered. Modern ranchers still use branding irons to identify their cattle, whether they have small spreads or large ones. The famous King Ranch is so large that there is a seasonal difference of one month between its North & South boundaries.

Ideally, brands are simply designed, yet in a way that they cannot be easily altered. The more complex the brand, the harder it is to recognize.

Do you know how to read a brand?
Click here to test your skills.

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Hico, Texas  76457
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