Information and advice – how to stop horse and tack theft

Tack Theft

Advice, resources and tips on how to prevent tack theft

• Insure your tack and equipment.

There are many insurance companies currently offering insurance for tack etc but you may like to look at the NFU mutual website

 

• Tack must be kept in a secure, strongly constructed building. Concrete or brick-built buildings are preferable. Doors should preferably be steel or have steel panels. A door such as this will be able to accommodate a mortise lock to British standards. Hinges and fittings are best fixed on the inside of the room as they cannot then be accessed from outside. A burglar alarm will provide extra security.

Links for burgler alarms-Trading Standards approved security companies – Alarm systems, security signs, lighting systems, CCTV -

Trading Standards approved CCTV, security and alarm system installation companies. Or you can do a search HERE for security companies in your area:

• Display signs advising passers-by that security measures are in place.

security signs are available from companies supplying security services.

• Saddlery can be micro-chipped, marked or embossed and metal engraved. Devices which lock saddles onto their supporting rack are available. Galvanised steel safes for tack are also available which can be bolted to a wall or the inside of a horsebox.

The UK Horsewatch Alliance offers a tackmarking service to help prevent theft of tack, rugs and equipment.

Your local horsewatch Co-Ordinator can advise you on how to have your tack marked.
A list of horsewatch Co-Ordinators across the UK can be found here at UK Horsewatch.
Saddlery could also be stolen at shows so ensure it is locked away within a vehicle when not in use.

• An inventory of equipment and goods should be kept somewhere safe, listing serial numbers, security markings and photographs.

Visible security measures are invaluable to discourage intruders and thieves. Closed circuit television cameras (CCTV), burglar alarms and security lighting are options that, although will require funds to purchase and install, are an invaluable theft deterrent.

Trading Standards approved security companies – Alarm systems, security signs, lighting systems, CCTV -

Trading Standards approved CCTV, security and alarm system installation companies-

Or you can do a search HERE for security companies in your area:

Horse Theft

Advice, tips and resources to prevent horse theft

• Display signs and fix patches on rugs stating that horses are security marked.

• Take photographs of your horses and ponies in summer and winter for identification. Horses and ponies look quite different in summer than they do in winter – along with a passport silhouette and description.

• Don’t leave horses grazing with their headcollars on if possible.

• Always store headcollars and lead-ropes away from paddocks gates and stable doors.

• Keep records of proof of ownership.

• Clearly marking post codes or freeze brands on rugs could help deter the theft of horses or horse rugs.

• Use a heavy-duty chain and a close-shackled padlock (to prevent cropping) on gates and concrete gateposts into the ground. Reversing a gate hinge or welding the hinge tops over helps to prevent gates being lifted from posts.

Trading Standards approved security companies – Alarm systems, security signs, lighting systems, CCTV -

Trading Standards approved CCTV, security and alarm system installation companies-

Or you can do a search HERE for security companies in your area:

Freezemarking your horse:

‘Freezemarking is a safe, humane and distinctive way of protecting your horse from theft.

Freezemark.biz

‘Freezemark Ltd is a company dedicated solely to fighting horse theft, operating a national freeze marking service and comprehensive 24 hour security back-up service’.

Farmkey

‘Farmkey is the UK’s number one equine security organisation with over 25 years experience in freezemarking. In addition to freezemarking we offer a comprehensive recovery service to our members, who are covered 24 hours, 365 days a year should their horse be stolen or stray’.

Discounts offered to members of
The British Horse Society

British Riding Clubs

NFU Mutual Insurance

Microchipping your horse
Micro-chipping provides a horse with an individual identity number, which will be detected by a scanner allowing accurate identification of horses that are suspected to be stolen.

Details at the RSPCA website,

Stolen horse – Help and advice

The Stolen Horse Register

What is The Stolen Horse Register?

‘The Stolen Horse Register is a central repository of all horse, ponies and donkeys that have gone missing and presumed stolen in the United Kingdom. It is principally a communication vehicle allowing details of stolen equines to be disseminated to a wide circle very quickly’.

‘The aim is that in time all persons involved in transactions with horses, e.g. persons buying an unknown horse, horse market operators, abbatoirs, Equine welfare (BHS, RSPCA, ILPH and others). etc. will check on the Stolen Horse Register before the transactions are complete. Persons observing suspicious goings on, where (say) a new horse turns up out of the blue somewhere, could check on the Stolen Horse Register’.

UK Horsewatch

A list of horsewatch Co-Ordinators across the UK can be found HERE

Horsewatch Regional Representatives

Horsewatch Forum – up to the minute alerts-stolen horses, tack and equipment

Horsewatch Useful Information, advice and FAQS about horse theft

Other useful links:
Personal safety alarms

Safety advice and personal alarms are available at

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Suzy Lamplugh Trust online shop