It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a donkey that had been branded on its face, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) disapproved of it. He (the speaker, who is not named in this narration) said: "By Allah, I will brand it only at the part farthest from the face." Then he gave orders concerning his donkey, and it was branded on its haunches, and he was the first person to brand on the haunches.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب قسم الصدقات / 13260