What is the most likely reason for branding horses in Australia?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Rupert was born and raised in the vast, open interior of the Australian continent.

His only unpleasant childhood memory was when he was separated from his mother and brought in with many other young horses of his age and branded with a hot iron. The pain was only momentary: but the mark ….. 2GD/20 ….. remained on his nearside shoulder for the rest of his life. The brand indicated that Rupert’s birthplace was Gordon Downs Station in the Australian state of Queensland.

It was shortly after this experience that Rupert was driven to the coast and then put onboard a ship and sent to India. He showed the stamina to tread the rugged terrain with ease. Rupert was selected to be a cavalry horse in the Indian Army.

Rupert was a magnificent looking horse and was a great cavalry horse as he performed his duties extremely well. He was clever, brave, strong and fast.

On one occasion, the heir to the British throne – the Prince of Wales – was visiting India when he saw Rupert. The Prince was so taken by this beautiful black cavalry horse that he was determined to buy him: which he did. And he sent him to England by ship.

Eventually the Prince of Wales became King of England and Emperor of India. For the rest of his life, Rupert remained the King’s favourite charger and lived in the Royal Stables in London. What a story Rupert could have told had he been able to write it down!