Famous and not so famous horses get stolen. From the major Thoroughbred stallion Shergar to the little college horse to the old mare in the pasture horses disappear – and a plan is needed to get them back.
Prevention is key. Don't leave halters on horses. That little bit of time might be enough to deter a thief, especially those living near busier roads. It's easy to snap a rope on and go. Pay attention when something is out of place. Have a fail-proof identifying factor on the horse - tattoos can fade but are better than nothing. Freeze branding on the neck, shoulder or rear quarter stands out especially on dark colored horses. If it's a show horse some brand on the back or over the ribs, where it's covered when he's saddled and in competition but yet clearly visible when in a field or a sale ring! If you have him branded you'll need to note that on registration papers. If you do a farm brand and an individual brand make sure your farm brand is listed with the state - when they see a horse matching him they can easily call you.
Take pictures of your horse on a monthly basis. Say the first of each month - snap a few pictures of both sides. Have pictures of unusual markings and for breeds like Appaloosas that can sometimes change from winter to summer having pictures that are current as well as what they're like with the other coat can be key. Some duns, buckskins, greys, Appaloosas and POA once that looked completely different in winter than in summer. Longer hair can make dun factor points less visible. Have easily accessible a complete Coggins - noting scars and markings. These papers and photos should be kept together in a file where you can quickly lay hands on it. There's a big difference in "this was taken 2 weeks before disappearing" and "well this was taken last winter but he's lost weight and his summer coat is different."
Note any odd vehicles hanging around and encourage neighbors to do the same. If you sell horses never ASSUME that buyers are there solely to look at a horse - most are but unethical people can very easily pose as buyers to get a look at not only your place but what's normal.
NEVER give your address or phone number on your website without failsafe security and even then it pays to use caution. With so many horses for sale and online promotions it's easy to forget safety - but again with just a little information you can lose everything. Even just a phone number - with a reverse look up they have your address. Tech savvy people can find out a whole lot more information that you probably would rather them not know.
Have motion cameras set on your gates and doorways to the barns. These take a photo when motion triggers it...if you set it to catch just the motion outside the fence at 5' high for example chances are if someone does get to your gates you have a chance to get a photo of them. Many cameras anymore are incredibly discreet and they'll never know they were busted. When you have a photo of someone walking out of the pasture with your horse it's pretty hard for them to say they weren't there and are innocent!
Don't ever give away security codes - while this may seem obvious it's easy to give it to the farrier because you'll be gone Tuesday; then the stable hand gives it to someone else to meet them there and pretty soon you don't know who has access to those codes. Changing them regularly isn't a bad idea also. Don't leave keys in vehicles. Use secure locks on gates. On a weekly basis walk (or ride) pasture fences - and make any repairs needed.
Be safe, be secure! Keep your horses safely at home.
Public stables with open barns are easy targets for theft. Be aware to prevent it.
