On September 9, 2006, a 3-year-old buckskin quarter horse was stolen from his pen outside of Los Angeles, Calif. On September 11, a black colt was missing from his pasture in Washington State. All gaits and fences were secured.

Horse theft is as real a threat now as it was in the days of the Wild West. From 2001 to 2006, 315 horses were stolen across America, according to Stolen Horses International. Of those, 142 have been recovered. Additionally, in that same time period, 287 horses were reported missing (17 of which were missing because of Hurricane Katrina). Just 96 of those horses have been found.

To help deter thieves from taking your horses, consider the following:

• Identify all horses, photographing each one in two seasons (winter and summer coats). Keep photos up to date.
• Padlock all gaits
• Start a neighborhood watch. Horse thieves often case a location before stealing horses.
• Barking dogs can be a good deterrent.
• Install security lighting
• Install security cameras in the barn, stalls and outside the facility. Security cameras hold a twofold benefit—programs allow you to check your facility for strange vehicles or people via a web interface or monitor your horse’s health.
• Microchip your horse
• Keep a file containing all of your horse’s important paperwork—bill of sale, Coggins report and photos. If your horse is recovered, you may have to prove ownership.

Additionally, Stolen Horses International recommends keeping halters off horses out in the pasture and placing security signs around your facility.

If your horse is stolen, immediately contact your neighbors, police, sheriff, state inspector, state veterinarian, slaughter houses, veterinarian, farrier, auction yards, radio and television stations, newspapers and horse clubs. To reach Netposse, Stolen Horses International’s stolen horse network, call 704-484-2165.

Don’t think that horse theft doesn’t happen in your state or can’t happen to you. During 2001 through 2005, states with the highest number of horse thefts were California, Washington, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. From 2005-2006, Florida had the highest theft rate followed by California and Texas.

Implement theft prevention procedures now because it’s better to be safe than sorry.