Figures released from the insurer NFU Mutual reveal that horse theft is on the increase. As many as 16 horses were stolen in Surrey alone during 2013 and across the UK this figure is far higher.
Thankfully, there are ways in which you can protect your horses from theft – and here they are.
Have your horse chipped
It’s mainly the theft of high profile racehorses that garner the headlines, but the loss of a child’s beloved pony can be just as devastating to its owner.
You should always get your horse microchipped, while this won’t prevent a horse actually being stolen, this process will ensure that there’s a stronger chance of catching the thieves. Freezemarking is another process that can help you track down your stolen horse.
Get a horse passport
Any stolen horses cannot be sold without a passport. Even slaughterhouses can only accept an animal if it has a passport.
Your animal’s passport will detail its markings, vaccinations and any other distinguishing features. The passport makes it far harder for a thief to dispose of the animal so make sure you always keep yours up to date and have one for each horse you own.
Protect your paddock
No paddock can be entirely secure but if you make sure that the hedges are well-maintained and ensure the fence is always in a good state of repair then your horse will look less enticing to a casual thief.
Gates should always be double padlocked; just tying up the gate with some bailer twine is not a deterrent and can expose your horse to greater risk.
Secure the stables
If your horses are stabled at night, then make sure that the stable doors are well and truly bolted. It’s a good idea to attach some sensor lights in your yard too as any unwanted night-time visitors may be deterred if they lack the cover of darkness.
Fitting security cameras to monitor the area is also advisable as CCTV footage can be used to help catch and prosecute horse thieves.
It is advisable to always place some cameras in clear view to act as deterrents – dummy cameras also work – but if you’re worried about determined thieves breaking them then you can place other cameras in more secret locations.
Infra red beams are another good idea as they are connected to a silent alarm which is fed into your house via a radio transmitter.
Start a horse watch group
Horse watch groups act in a similar way to neighbourhood watch. Groups of individuals alert each other to the presence of suspicious vehicles in your area and liaise with local police to improve safety.
This procedure is especially useful in remote rural areas and if your horse is stolen then it can help spread the word as quickly as possible.
There’s even a stolen horse register on Facebook and other social media options you can consider to help track down your stolen horse.
With these tips, you can help protect your horse from theft and ensure no eventers or family pets are taken away from their loving homes.
