♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
Horse thefts are unfortunately on the increase. It is therefore a good idea to follow a few basic steps to ensure your horse remains safe and secure.
*Freeze Marking is a simple and painless procedure. A super chilled marker is applied to a clipped area, usually on the left side of the saddle patch, which kills the pigment in the cells causing the hair to grow back white. Light coloured animals can be marked using the same method, the marker is left on for a little longer and this produces a bald patch in the form of the numbers. The freeze mark is then registered with a reputable company who will be able to trace the animal quickly and efficiently in the event of loss or theft. Place signs in prominent places to make people aware that the animals are freeze marked and ensure winter rugs and other items of tack have the number marked clearly on them.
*Micro-chipping is another way of identifying your horse. A small micro-chip is inserted by needle into your horses neck. The personalised number is then recorded by the company involved. Most vets and slaughterhouses have access to a micro-chip reader and the owners details can be quickly matched to an individual horse.
*You should also take photographs of your horse from both sides, full face and behind and fill in an identification card to show all markings, whorls and scars.
Remember the police are often powerless to trace stolen animals because of lack of proof of ownership. The fact that you have identified the animal is not always enough. You must be able to prove that the horse belongs to you.
*Stable yards are not always the most secure places to keep a horse as they confine the animal to a small area where it can be easily caught. Take extra precautions like security flood lights that come on when somebody enters the premises.
*Make sure fencing is secure and well built. Padlock all gates and adapt the top hinges to prevent the gate from being lifted off.
*Try to enlist the help of neighbours who could call yourself or the police if they see anyone acting suspiciously.
Many thousands of pounds worth of tack is stolen each year. Unfortunately it is easily disposed of through advertisements, carboot sales and horse sales. Tack is often stolen by people who know what they are looking for, so don't make it easy for them.
*Tack rooms should be of strong construction. Iron bars at windows will prevent access and the doors should ideally have a yale type lock.
*Security lights are a good idea, as is a burglar alarm.
*Anything of value should be marked with your postcode and your horses freeze mark (if applicable) and wriiten on an inventory.
*If you do suffer a break in or theft, report it to the police immediately. The police will want to know if there are tack thieves about. Even if the thieves are disturbed, they could come back for a second attempt. Give the police and your local horsewatch a detailed list of what is missing.
Last but not least, don't forget to insure your horse and your tack.
*Freeze Marking is a simple and painless procedure. A super chilled marker is applied to a clipped area, usually on the left side of the saddle patch, which kills the pigment in the cells causing the hair to grow back white. Light coloured animals can be marked using the same method, the marker is left on for a little longer and this produces a bald patch in the form of the numbers. The freeze mark is then registered with a reputable company who will be able to trace the animal quickly and efficiently in the event of loss or theft. Place signs in prominent places to make people aware that the animals are freeze marked and ensure winter rugs and other items of tack have the number marked clearly on them.
*Micro-chipping is another way of identifying your horse. A small micro-chip is inserted by needle into your horses neck. The personalised number is then recorded by the company involved. Most vets and slaughterhouses have access to a micro-chip reader and the owners details can be quickly matched to an individual horse.
*You should also take photographs of your horse from both sides, full face and behind and fill in an identification card to show all markings, whorls and scars.
Remember the police are often powerless to trace stolen animals because of lack of proof of ownership. The fact that you have identified the animal is not always enough. You must be able to prove that the horse belongs to you.
*Stable yards are not always the most secure places to keep a horse as they confine the animal to a small area where it can be easily caught. Take extra precautions like security flood lights that come on when somebody enters the premises.
*Make sure fencing is secure and well built. Padlock all gates and adapt the top hinges to prevent the gate from being lifted off.
*Try to enlist the help of neighbours who could call yourself or the police if they see anyone acting suspiciously.
Many thousands of pounds worth of tack is stolen each year. Unfortunately it is easily disposed of through advertisements, carboot sales and horse sales. Tack is often stolen by people who know what they are looking for, so don't make it easy for them.
*Tack rooms should be of strong construction. Iron bars at windows will prevent access and the doors should ideally have a yale type lock.
*Security lights are a good idea, as is a burglar alarm.
*Anything of value should be marked with your postcode and your horses freeze mark (if applicable) and wriiten on an inventory.
*If you do suffer a break in or theft, report it to the police immediately. The police will want to know if there are tack thieves about. Even if the thieves are disturbed, they could come back for a second attempt. Give the police and your local horsewatch a detailed list of what is missing.
Last but not least, don't forget to insure your horse and your tack.