Thwarting Thieves
Security strategies for horse owners
by April LaLande, Horses for Clean Water
Many of us tend to spend every spare cent on our four-legged friends and their accoutrements, rarely thinking about how those pennies can add up. That gorgeous show saddle, comfy trail gear or handmade brow-band--how would we feel if they were stolen? Or, even more overwhelming, what if one of our horses were stolen?
Looking through the long list of stolen horses reported in the United States, it is apparent that while occasionally a high-profile horse is a target, the majority of victims are everyday, run-of-the-mill horses and equipment, conveniently easy to steal and probably even easier to sell.
If you want to better protect your horse and belongings, enhance your security now, whether you keep your horses at home or at a boarding stable.
Assess Your Vulnerability
Take a look at your property with a web tool like Google™ Maps street view, or Google™ Earth street view and click on the satellite tab. You get a fairly good aerial image of your area and can begin to imagine ways in which a thief might steal horses, tack or equipment off your property.
Ask yourself some basic security questions:
• Is my property unprotected by perimeter fencing or is my fencing easily breached?
Uncharged wire fencing is much easier to cut and drive through than a solid fence. Solution: Invest in the most secure fencing you can afford. Check fences and fields periodically for signs of damage or intrusion, and have any workers you employ keep an eye out for anything or anyone unusual.
• Am I on a main road or surrounded by roads?
If so, it is easy for a thief to drive by and monitor your comings and goings to see if your place might be an easy target. Most horse thefts are staked out in advance, and roads make the crime easier to accomplish. Solution: Locked gates and motion lights are good deterrents. Lock any gates that are not in regular use and make sure they are properly installed so they cannot be lifted off their hinges, padlock intact.
• Can I see my horses from my house?
Solution: A security camera can be a relatively inexpensive theft deterrent for unwatched areas of your property.
• Can someone slip in my back gate unseen and rummage through the barn? Is my farm a public facility? Are events held there?
Solution: For large facilities, have just one main entry, and post signs instructing visitors where to check in. If possible, monitor your main entrance by either locating it within view of the house or by using a security camera. Use "no trespassing" or security signs on perimeter fencing and in areas where you do not want people bothering animals or looking for things to steal.
• Is my trailer waiting and ready for someone to haul off?
Solution: For as little as 30 dollars, a simple trailer-hitch lock can prevent the theft of your trailer, or worse, your trailer with a horse in it.
• Are halters hanging conveniently close by my horses in unobserved areas?
Solution: You may want to put halters in a secure tack room or other area less obvious to a thief , but where you can easily retrieve them when needed.
• Do I have a "four-legged alarm system"?
Solution: Even if you’re gone, many thieves will not want to deal with dogs and may move on to easier pickings.
Other Security Strategies
• Make sure sick or agitated animals are investigated immediately for signs of foul play.
• Make sure you can be reached when you are away if there is an emergency situation. It is a good idea to let your veterinarian know when someone else will be taking care of your horses.
• Only notify trusted contacts when you will be away for prolonged periods; don’t announce it to everyone.
• If you are going away, cancel deliveries so unwanted newspapers or packages don’t pile up on the front steps, a sure sign to burglars that no one is watching the farm.
Write down your security policies and share them with boarders and employees so you can all work together to prevent theft. Remember to periodically check and update insurance policies so you can cover the replacement costs of your vehicles, facilities and belongings.
About the Author
April LaLande lives on an award-winning conservation farm with her husband, horse, goat, whippets and resident elk herd in the Cascade foothills of Washington. In addition to the requisite day job, April provides writing and research assistance to Horses For Clean Water on environmentally sensitive horse keeping practices.
Resources for Recovering Stolen Horses
Missing Pet Network www.missingpet.net
Stolen Horse International netposse.com
Stolen Horse International theft prevention tips: www.netposse.com/prevrec/prevention.htm
Washington State Department of Agriculture: Livestock Identification Program
http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/Livestock/WhoToContact.aspx
Oregon: ODA Animal Health and Identification Division
www.oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/livestock_id/main.shtml
by April LaLande, Horses for Clean Water
Many of us tend to spend every spare cent on our four-legged friends and their accoutrements, rarely thinking about how those pennies can add up. That gorgeous show saddle, comfy trail gear or handmade brow-band--how would we feel if they were stolen? Or, even more overwhelming, what if one of our horses were stolen?
Looking through the long list of stolen horses reported in the United States, it is apparent that while occasionally a high-profile horse is a target, the majority of victims are everyday, run-of-the-mill horses and equipment, conveniently easy to steal and probably even easier to sell.
If you want to better protect your horse and belongings, enhance your security now, whether you keep your horses at home or at a boarding stable.
Assess Your Vulnerability
Take a look at your property with a web tool like Google™ Maps street view, or Google™ Earth street view and click on the satellite tab. You get a fairly good aerial image of your area and can begin to imagine ways in which a thief might steal horses, tack or equipment off your property.
Ask yourself some basic security questions:
• Is my property unprotected by perimeter fencing or is my fencing easily breached?
Uncharged wire fencing is much easier to cut and drive through than a solid fence. Solution: Invest in the most secure fencing you can afford. Check fences and fields periodically for signs of damage or intrusion, and have any workers you employ keep an eye out for anything or anyone unusual.
• Am I on a main road or surrounded by roads?
If so, it is easy for a thief to drive by and monitor your comings and goings to see if your place might be an easy target. Most horse thefts are staked out in advance, and roads make the crime easier to accomplish. Solution: Locked gates and motion lights are good deterrents. Lock any gates that are not in regular use and make sure they are properly installed so they cannot be lifted off their hinges, padlock intact.
• Can I see my horses from my house?
Solution: A security camera can be a relatively inexpensive theft deterrent for unwatched areas of your property.
• Can someone slip in my back gate unseen and rummage through the barn? Is my farm a public facility? Are events held there?
Solution: For large facilities, have just one main entry, and post signs instructing visitors where to check in. If possible, monitor your main entrance by either locating it within view of the house or by using a security camera. Use "no trespassing" or security signs on perimeter fencing and in areas where you do not want people bothering animals or looking for things to steal.
• Is my trailer waiting and ready for someone to haul off?
Solution: For as little as 30 dollars, a simple trailer-hitch lock can prevent the theft of your trailer, or worse, your trailer with a horse in it.
• Are halters hanging conveniently close by my horses in unobserved areas?
Solution: You may want to put halters in a secure tack room or other area less obvious to a thief , but where you can easily retrieve them when needed.
• Do I have a "four-legged alarm system"?
Solution: Even if you’re gone, many thieves will not want to deal with dogs and may move on to easier pickings.
Other Security Strategies
• Make sure sick or agitated animals are investigated immediately for signs of foul play.
• Make sure you can be reached when you are away if there is an emergency situation. It is a good idea to let your veterinarian know when someone else will be taking care of your horses.
• Only notify trusted contacts when you will be away for prolonged periods; don’t announce it to everyone.
• If you are going away, cancel deliveries so unwanted newspapers or packages don’t pile up on the front steps, a sure sign to burglars that no one is watching the farm.
Write down your security policies and share them with boarders and employees so you can all work together to prevent theft. Remember to periodically check and update insurance policies so you can cover the replacement costs of your vehicles, facilities and belongings.
About the Author
April LaLande lives on an award-winning conservation farm with her husband, horse, goat, whippets and resident elk herd in the Cascade foothills of Washington. In addition to the requisite day job, April provides writing and research assistance to Horses For Clean Water on environmentally sensitive horse keeping practices.
Resources for Recovering Stolen Horses
Missing Pet Network www.missingpet.net
Stolen Horse International netposse.com
Stolen Horse International theft prevention tips: www.netposse.com/prevrec/prevention.htm
Washington State Department of Agriculture: Livestock Identification Program
http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/Livestock/WhoToContact.aspx
Oregon: ODA Animal Health and Identification Division
www.oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/livestock_id/main.shtml
Labels: Horse Farm Management
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