Horse Theft – Prevention

Protecting your horse from theft is just as important as protecting it from disease by having it receive its annual checkup and vaccinations. According to statistics 90% of stolen horses are never recovered and likely end up at slaughter. So, with a few simple measures you can protect your investment and friend.

• First make sure that your fences are in good repair.
• Lock your gates and barns. (Use chains and locks on both sides of the gates to avoid the gate from being lifted off its hinges.)
• Have lights installed outside of your barn and around your property.
• If you can afford it install security cameras. There are several inexpensive brands available and it can be fun to check on your horses at night to see what they are doing anyway.
• Keep a dog or geese on hand to alert you to intruders. Guinea fowl (which also keep down bugs and snakes) and donkeys/burros, anything that will make noise if disturbed will work.
• Keep clear pictures of your horse on hand. Pictures should be of both sides, front and back (make note of any special markings) and update every summer and winter.
• Micro-chip, brand, hoof mark or otherwise mark your horse for easy identification.

What to do if your horse is stolen

If your horse is stolen you should act quickly to recover it. The more time that goes by the more difficult it will be to have your horse returned and the further the thieves can get.

• Contact your local police department.
• Place ads in the local newspaper and post flyers. If a reward is involved make sure it is prominently displayed.
• Check with area auctions to make sure your horse isn’t sold there, supply them with flyers.
• Contact a group such as Stolen Horse International (Net Posse), they will assist in getting the word out to others that can assist you in your search, post your missing horses on their database, provide you with flyers and give you additional suggestions.