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How to Brand Cattle. Cowboys traditionally branded cattle in the spring or early summer.
Here's how they did it. You will need Branding iron Wood fire and dry animal. Never attempt
to brand a cow if you are not well-trained in the technique. Step 1. Heat your branding
iron in a wood fire until the end of the iron is ash-colored. Do not use a forge or a coal
fire to heat the iron. These may make the iron too hot. Step 2. Apply the hot iron to
the animal's hair so that it burns the hair and the outer layer of skin. Work slowly and
carefully. Do not attempt to brand the animal with acids or other chemical agents. Step
3. Remove the iron. The brand, which should resemble saddle leather in color, will let
others know that the cow belongs to you for the rest of its life. Did you know Some ranchers
now identify their cattle with microchips implanted beneath the animal's skin.