Fifteen Ways to Stop Horse Thievery

1. Permanently mark horses. You can freeze brand or hot iron brand animals, add a lip tattoo or implant a subdermal microchip.

2. Photograph horses and keep photos current. Be sure to get both sides of the animal, as well as close-up pictures of any unique, identifying characteristics such as brands, permanent scars or white markings.

3. Create an organized proof-of-ownership file.

4. Record the permanent brand or mark with the county clerk's office in the county where the horse is based.

5. Secure barns, corrals or pens with a good perimeter fence and well-built gates that can be locked; especially facilities with on-road access. Locking everything up slows thieves down and deters theft significantly.

6. If you're building a new barn or corral, locate it away from roads. Thieves don't like it when you make access difficult, especially if they have to pass a house to get to your horse and equipment.

7. Manage pastured horses to make theft difficult. For example, never leave halters on pastured horses, don't feed horses near the road, keep all gates locked and check on horses regularly, varying the timing of your trips to the pasture.

8. Don't hand halters and lead ropes on stall fronts, gate posts or anywhere out in the open.

9. Permanently identify and lock up expensive tack.

10. Secure horse and livestock trailers and be able to prove ownership. Keep trailers out of plain view so would-be thieves aren't aware of what you have available to steal.

11. put up signs and warning posters.

12. Install motion sensor lights where appropriate.

13. Check into the possibility/necessity of guard dogs.

14. Maintain regular activity levels. Isolated horses are easy targets so be sure to check on them frequently, varying visiting times.

15. Partner with your neighbor. Keep an eye one each other's livestock and equipment and make it difficult for thieves to gain access to your assets.

    Hope this was helpful! Look for more articles in the future!
    
    

    by Shannon Linderoth
    This is a reprint from the September 1998 issue of Texas Farmer-Stockman, pg.TX40.

    For more helpful hints and information regarding equine behavior be sure to visit James Stroup, animal behaviorist at www.jamesstroup.com
    
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