Q: Is the horse conscious when you tattoo?

A: No. After the licensed Veterinarian does a health assessment, the horse will be sedated and then intubated. During the tattooing, the horse's vital status will be monitored at all times.


Q: How long does the procedure take?

A: The actual tattooing takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes per eye, but plan on a total of two hours. This includes time for sedation.


Q: What is the healing process?

A: The horse's eyes will be tender for several days. The tattooed area may ooze clear or slightly red fluid during this time. You should clean the eye area with a warm, damp cloth several times a day for 2 to 3 days. After each cleaning, you should apply a light coating of antibiotic ointment to the area, being careful not to get any ointment in the horse's eyes. After 3 to 5 days you will notice that the tattoo will become "flaky". The top layer is basically a scab and needs to come off. The resulting tattoo will be slightly lighter in color.


Q: How long does it last?

A: All tattoos fade! The rate of fading may be different for each horse, depending on many variables.