Herefordshire beware!

[chancing]

Just to let everyone know that a friend of mine down the road in titley hereford has found a plait in one of her horses manes. As we all know they are a way of marking horses to be stolen to order therefore I thought I would post a warning to you all. Beware and report anything remotely suspicious.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

I hope she reported this to West Mercia Constabulary, they have an active horsewatch scheme in place

 

[*hic*]

Just to let everyone know that a friend of mine down the road in titley hereford has found a plait in one of her horses manes. As we all know they are a way of marking horses to be stolen to order therefore I thought I would post a warning to you all. Beware and report anything remotely suspicious.

*bangs head on wall*

STOP PRESS: I found a plait in Flynn's mane yesterday morning. It was right at the base of his mane by his withers. It definitely wasn't a wind plait.

I'm not actually going to report it to the police because he wears a full neck rug and anyone who chooses to tag a horse for theft such that the person intending on taking the horse has to stick their arm right down all the full neck rugs in the field to feel which one is plaited deserves a medal for idiocy. Looking for the chestnut in the West Ham colours with the white diamond star is so much easier than having to physically check out each horse to find the one with the plait.

 

[fatpiggy]

I wish people who say they've found a plait would PHOTOGRAPH IT. Stick it up here for us to see. There are so many rumours and "stories" flying around I have no doubt that at least troll who reads this forum has put some plaits in just for a joke and then enjoys watching the results here. Why would anyone who is marking a horse to steal, put one under a neck cover? Its completely invisible and therefore pointless. That is obviously just a wind-up.

 

[*hic*]

I wish people who say they've found a plait would PHOTOGRAPH IT. Stick it up here for us to see. There are so many rumours and "stories" flying around I have no doubt that at least troll who reads this forum has put some plaits in just for a joke and then enjoys watching the results here. Why would anyone who is marking a horse to steal, put one under a neck cover? Its completely invisible and therefore pointless. That is obviously just a wind-up.

Oh dear, it seems my sarcasm / irony went amiss. It was my point exactly (perhaps you should re-read my post?) that plaiting Flynn's mane (it looked more like a divided dreadlock really) was completely stupid. As I said - he's the only chestnut in West Ham colours on my yard, which is a far easier way of identifying him than sticking your arm all the way down his full neck rug.

 

[Cedars]

Puzzle has had 5 plaits so far this week.

So far, shes not been stolen!

 

[taratara]

Thanks for this alert - I spoke to the person concerned last night and was able to reassure her that to the knowledge of the UK Horsewatch Alliance, there has never been a horse stolen following the discovery of a plait in its mane (and a lot of "plaits" are actually just rather complex tangles). However, you can never be too careful, and I would urge everyone to have their horses freezemarked, postcode all their tack, and establish good communications with their horsey neighbours, so you can pass around messages concerning anything suspicious. It is also very useful to have good clear photos of your horse, from each side, front and back, with a close-up of any characteristic markings. Here in Herefordshire we have very good relations with West Mercia Constabulary, and if anyone in the county would like to join Horsewatch, please email me on Hfdshorsewatch@aol.com, or phone me on 01544 318038 if you have any concerns. Many thanks.
Good wishes, Tara Heinemann, Co-ordinator, Herefordshire Horsewatch.

 

[OWLIE185]

Make sure your horse is freezemarked on it's shoulder so that it is clearly visible when being ridden out.