The alpha-angle system for freeze brand identification was developed and patented in the 60’s by Dr. Keith Farrell of Washington State University. This unique idea of livestock identification was adopted by the BLM for identifying America’s Wild Horse and Burros.
The BLM brand for mustangs and burros is applied on the left side of the neck. Mustangs and burros brought in from the range are assigned a unique brand number. This ID allows them to be uniquely identified.
Sometimes a horse moves or jumps around in the branding chute and the contact isn’t held long enough for a clear brand to be made. In these cases, some or all of the letters may be illegible. These are a couple of good examples of that. Even shaved, these brands are not legible.