Horse theft awareness

By Miles Dabovich

Texas Cooperative Extension Agent, Agriculture, Wichita County

As I spend more time in the area I realize that Wichita County falls under the North Texas norm of having a large population of horses and horse enthusiasts. The Wichita County Extension Horse Committee is a very active group that provides educational activities, and promotes horses and horse activities in Wichita County . They publish the Horseman's Directory, conduct the Texoma Futurity Program, Stallion Auction, the Texoma All Breed Horse Show and numerous other events. The committee is a very strong supporter of the horse industry in Wichita County.

Now with all these horses in the area I thought I would share some information with you about horse theft prevention. Every year in Texas both small and large scale owners suffer from theft of horses, and equipment. Tracking stolen horses can be difficult especially unmarked horses, and the reports are often delayed and stolen horses can change hands frequently. The Texas Legislature has supported statewide education activities for horse owners and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has specific brand inspection authority to help improve the chances of recovering stolen horses.

Even with all the assistance we have with horse theft prevention it is still important that individual horse owners take steps to prevent theft. Here are 15 steps that will help in curbing theft. At least some of these should be applicable for every horse owner. In my opinion, if you don't do steps 1 and 4 you are taking a great risk as a horse owner.

1. Permanently mark horses using one or more methods. Texas legislation encourages horse owners to permanently identify horses. Thieves are less likely to steal horse that are permanently marked, and those that are stolen are easier to track and recover. Remember: The state is full of solid sorrels and bays all fitting a similar description. Horse owners establishing a new brand should check with the county clerk's office to avoid duplicating an existing brand. Horses can be marked permanently by: Freeze brand (using customized, number or letter iron and by alpha angle code methods); Hot iron brand; microchip (implant); and/or lip tattoo.

2. Photograph horses and keep photos current. Photograph both sides of the horse as close as possible, being sure to get the entire horse in the frame. Although saddles, blankets, leg wraps and people may look good in a photo's usefulness for identification. Photograph the front of the horse, being sure to get a clear picture of the head. If possible, also take a rear view. Take close up pictures of any unique, identifying characteristics such as a brand, permanent scar or white markings.

3. Establish an organized, easy to find proof of ownership file. To save valuable time and frustration in proving ownership should a theft occur, keep on file: Registration papers (if horse is registered with a breed association); dated bill of sale and/or breed association transfer of ownership paperwork; photographs; and description of mark or brand and written description of all unique characteristics.

4. Record the permanent brand or mark with the county clerk's office in the county where the horse lives. The Texas Legislature encourages registering brands or marks, which can keep others from using your brand. Registration also helps law enforcement officers and brand inspectors to communicate and determine ownership, and can speed the process of filing theft reports.

5. Secure barns, corrals or pens from the road with a good perimeter fence and well-built gates that can be locked. Slowing a potential horse thief and/or making access to horses more difficult can deter theft significantly.

6. If you plan to build a barn or corral, locate it away from the road. Place facilities beyond your house if at all possible. They are less likely targets if they are more difficult to access and require thieves to pass a house.

7. Manage pastured horses to make theft more difficult. For safety as well as well as deterrence, never leave halters on pastured horses. Do not feed horses close to the pasture gate or near the road. Although convenient for owners, this practice actually helps potential thieves. Hungry horses will congregate around the usual feeding area, making them easy to catch; keep pasture gates locked; Check on pastured horses regularly and vary the time of your trips to the pasture. Absentee owners sometimes don't realize for several days that their horses have been stolen from pastures.

8. Do not hang halters and lead ropes on stall fronts, corral gate posts or anywhere in the open. Secure halters in a locked tack room or feed room.

9. Permanently identify and lock up expensive tack. Consider having your drivers license number engraved on the underside of saddles, expensive headstalls and other valuable items. While it will not prevent theft, locking the tack room does deter it by increasing the time a thief must be on your property.

10. Make horse and livestock trailers inaccessible, hide them from view and be able to prove ownership. Use commercially available locks to secure the hitch on a bumper pull trailer. Many gooseneck trailers can be padlocked. Park trailers in a barn or somewhere hidden from traffic to make it harder for thieves to determine what is available and when or if horse owners are home. On commercially manufactured trailers, know where the VIN or serial number is located (frame, tongue, etc.) and have that number on file. Know and record your trailer's license plate number. Take and file photographs of your trailer.

11. Use signs and warning posters where appropriate. To signal to potential thieves that the owner is informed, post such notices as: No trespassing signs; Security system signs; and farm or livestock association membership signs.

12. Install motion-sensor lights. Motion-sensor lights turn on when they detect activity in strategic areas. Note: If horses are on a lighting program (i.e., 16 hours of daylight, 8 hours of darkness), be careful about where motion-sensor lights are located. Something as simple as the family dog can trigger the light to come on and could interrupt efforts to maintain the photoperiod effect for brood mares and show horses.

13 Talk to local law enforcement authorities about the value of dogs and other animals in deterring theft. Thieves dislike dealing with dogs. However, consider that dogs also require management.

14. Keep the activity level up around horses. Horses isolated from well traveled areas and often left alone are easy targets. To deter theft: Vary your routine to make it difficult for potential thieves to know when you will be away. Avoid advertising when you are leaving town.

15. Establish a horse and facilities watch program with other horses in your area. Take turns checking on each others' horses. Check on group members' horses regularly when they are out of town.

Although horses and equipment will never be entirely safe from theft, many are stolen simply because it was made easy for thieves. Taking these steps to prevent theft will help you keep your horses and equipment safe.