California History Guide > Round 'Em Up, Brand 'Em Up

These were the days of the "Wild West," and fences were not built to keep cattle from different ranches apart. Instead, cattle from many ranches grazed together on the same land. In order to tell their cattle from the cattle of other ranchers, the ranch owners "branded" their cattle.

Brands are designs that identify the owner burned into the hide of a cow. They cannot be rubbed or washed off. A burning hot iron rod shaped into the design of the brand is pressed into the side of the cow. While it hurts the cow at the time, the pain doesn't last long.

On the next page, you will be able to create your own brand! Just click "Next >>" to continue.

Examples of Brands
Broken Heart	Circle U	J Bell
Slash A	Tree	Tumbling Anchor

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