KarynK
Well-Known Member
EQUINE CRIME PREVENTION
In Light of the recent thefts I thought that I would post this so people can place their ideas on preventing crime here, perhaps H&H can sticky it? Horses and all their equipment are expensive so in times like this they make a good easy target for thieves due to the fact they are often in more remote places and security is not always as good as in a house and lets face it we all get complacent.
So Ill start - Contact your local crime prevention officer and Horsewatch for more advice and help.
But:
TRAILERS/Lorries/Field Equipment
Postcode the roof and get metalwork marked with a postcode.
Make sure wheel clamps are of good quality and have a high security rating, a few more pounds spent here could make a difference. - Fit clamps to the back wheels to prevent any towing if they cant get it off.
Fit a hitch lock to trailers as an added deterrent if they dont already have one.
Consider using an old mobile together with a company that provides mobile tracking, so your vehicle can be recovered if taken, or there are tracking devices.
There are also other types of marking that you can use like the microdots, tiny chips that you can scatter all over the vehicle. Mark the vehicle on the outside to let would be thieves know if you do this!
Dont forget your yard trailer and equipment as well if you need it for hay etc paint on the postcode!
You can also use locking parking type barriers to block a trailer being moved or chain the axle of the trailer to a well secured post.
Take pictures of the vehicle
Make a note of all serial numbers and keep it to hand.
TACK and RUGS
Postcode it!
Yes even the posh new rugs, they are going to get muddy anyway! You can pay out for kits or slap a bit of paint on there.
Get together with friends and you local police/horsewatch and organise a tack marking session. (When you sell the tack on give the buyer a receipt)
Saddles Postcode and or microchip them take pictures as well it paints 1000 words!!!
Try not to keep valuables on a poorly protected yard and in tack rooms that are easy to break into, your insurance may not be valid if you do check the small print.
Check and see if car insurance covers your tack.
HORSES
Microchip its about £20 odd get a group together and negotiate a callout free vet visit!
Freeze brand get a group session (you can paint this on your rugs its a unique number)
Hoof Brand though this grows out
Place warning signs on the yard gate that horses are marked/chipped
Take pictures of your horse in summer and winter coat just in case
Make sure the yard gate has a good quality chain and padlock on it.
Put up CCTV warnings and dummy or real cameras, systems are much cheaper these days.
Be vigilant join horsewatch and if you see anything suspicious in your area make a note, any strange callers etc, write down vehicle numbers then description of the vehicle, also unusual facial features, people can change clothes, get pictures if you can without putting yourself in danger! Report any sightings to the police/horsewatch look out for your neighbours property and get them to look out for yours.
Clean off shiny surfaces now and again so if someone does try and steal the trailer fingerprints can be lifted if someone does have a go!
But the message really is mark it and you stand a better chance of it not getting stolen, or getting it back and the police stand a better chance of prosecuting. Spend a few minutes this weekend with some paint!!
If you are unlucky enough to become a victim, contact the police, dont touch anything until the police arrive and decide if they need forensics, especially footprints dont trample over them. Make a list of things you think are missing with any ID numbers and pictures. Get your crime reference and circulate to all the forums H&H etc.
National Horsewatch
www.ukhorsewatch.org.uk/
Hampshire site with tips
www.nfed.co.uk/horsewatch.htm
In Light of the recent thefts I thought that I would post this so people can place their ideas on preventing crime here, perhaps H&H can sticky it? Horses and all their equipment are expensive so in times like this they make a good easy target for thieves due to the fact they are often in more remote places and security is not always as good as in a house and lets face it we all get complacent.
So Ill start - Contact your local crime prevention officer and Horsewatch for more advice and help.
But:
TRAILERS/Lorries/Field Equipment
Postcode the roof and get metalwork marked with a postcode.
Make sure wheel clamps are of good quality and have a high security rating, a few more pounds spent here could make a difference. - Fit clamps to the back wheels to prevent any towing if they cant get it off.
Fit a hitch lock to trailers as an added deterrent if they dont already have one.
Consider using an old mobile together with a company that provides mobile tracking, so your vehicle can be recovered if taken, or there are tracking devices.
There are also other types of marking that you can use like the microdots, tiny chips that you can scatter all over the vehicle. Mark the vehicle on the outside to let would be thieves know if you do this!
Dont forget your yard trailer and equipment as well if you need it for hay etc paint on the postcode!
You can also use locking parking type barriers to block a trailer being moved or chain the axle of the trailer to a well secured post.
Take pictures of the vehicle
Make a note of all serial numbers and keep it to hand.
TACK and RUGS
Postcode it!
Yes even the posh new rugs, they are going to get muddy anyway! You can pay out for kits or slap a bit of paint on there.
Get together with friends and you local police/horsewatch and organise a tack marking session. (When you sell the tack on give the buyer a receipt)
Saddles Postcode and or microchip them take pictures as well it paints 1000 words!!!
Try not to keep valuables on a poorly protected yard and in tack rooms that are easy to break into, your insurance may not be valid if you do check the small print.
Check and see if car insurance covers your tack.
HORSES
Microchip its about £20 odd get a group together and negotiate a callout free vet visit!
Freeze brand get a group session (you can paint this on your rugs its a unique number)
Hoof Brand though this grows out
Place warning signs on the yard gate that horses are marked/chipped
Take pictures of your horse in summer and winter coat just in case
Make sure the yard gate has a good quality chain and padlock on it.
Put up CCTV warnings and dummy or real cameras, systems are much cheaper these days.
Be vigilant join horsewatch and if you see anything suspicious in your area make a note, any strange callers etc, write down vehicle numbers then description of the vehicle, also unusual facial features, people can change clothes, get pictures if you can without putting yourself in danger! Report any sightings to the police/horsewatch look out for your neighbours property and get them to look out for yours.
Clean off shiny surfaces now and again so if someone does try and steal the trailer fingerprints can be lifted if someone does have a go!
But the message really is mark it and you stand a better chance of it not getting stolen, or getting it back and the police stand a better chance of prosecuting. Spend a few minutes this weekend with some paint!!
If you are unlucky enough to become a victim, contact the police, dont touch anything until the police arrive and decide if they need forensics, especially footprints dont trample over them. Make a list of things you think are missing with any ID numbers and pictures. Get your crime reference and circulate to all the forums H&H etc.
National Horsewatch
www.ukhorsewatch.org.uk/
Hampshire site with tips
www.nfed.co.uk/horsewatch.htm