Horses presumed stolen from Norfolk

[MJC]

Thanks for reading, on behalf of Emma Hitchcox-


Can you help? Horses presumed stolen – welfare issue


Two horses from Norfolk that cannot be ridden may have been stolen by a loanee, and sold on elsewhere in the UK, it is feared.

Owner Emma Hitchcox is worried about the whereabouts of the mares, as one is elderly and retired, and the other has the back condition, kissing spines. “I fear they may have been sold on as riding horses, and am desperately worried for their welfare,” Emma explains.

Emma put the two mares on loan as companions in mid-October 2008, having posted advertisements in the equestrian press asking for a good loan home for the two horses.

The loanee, supposedly ‘Clare Carter’, requested to take the mares to her home in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, as companions for the cobs she bred, and signed a BHS-designed loan agreement with Emma. However, Emma has since heard nothing from the loanee, whose phone is not taking calls, and upon visiting the address supplied, found no such address existed.

The woman collected Emma’s horses in a large 4x4 pick-up vehicle and a green Ifor Williams Trailer. She had a young (pre-school age) son with her.

When Emma searched online for Clare’s phone number, it appeared in old ‘HorseHunter’ and ‘Gumtree’ adverts for horses for sale, leading Emma to worry this lady was in fact a dealer, and had illegally sold her horses on.

Horses’ details:

Lady (Cameo Performance)
15-20 year old, 16hh, bright chestnut mare, with stripe. Has overshot knees, flat feet and mild arthritis, and dislikes walking on stones or hard surfaces. Freezemark 4D1F. Has a grumpy temperament when not wearing a head-collar.

Gwendolyn
Bright bay, 16.1hh, unregistered French trotter with French passport, 10 years old, with kissing spines, and some arthritis. Poor conformation and large, unrefined head with a blaze. Two distinct white spots on her back from a hornet sting. Lovely nature – not freeze-marked. Can be tricky to catch.

If anyone has any information on the horses, they should contact Emma on 07796 322065 / e.hitchcox@btinternet.com

 

[T_K]

Do you know if the loanee took the passports with the horses?

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

Have copied this and put it up on the Monty Roberts/Kelly Marks website.

 

[oscar08]

Hello
The lady took my passports as it was going to be a long term loan. But she has repassported them illegally through The Horse Passport Agency. The chesnut has been named Saffron with Lara as the ownder. It was issued about October 13th, Gwen will have been too, but until the police get copies i cannot tell what she has been called...
<font color="red"> </font> If anyone is willing to print out my poster and pin up in tack shops etc, or forward my email on to anyone they know, i have a copy of my poster i can email anyone. Just PM me your email address....
Thanks very much for reading!
Emma

 

[Gonetofrance]

Just to try and help further, here are photos of the stolen horses.

The first two pics are Lady.

These following are pics of Gwendolyn, the French trotter mare that I know more about. In her previous incarnation, she made a pilgrimage across France and Italy. A link to her details, which may help her be recognised, is Gwendolyn .

If you think you may have seen either of these girls, please contact Emma at the above contact details, or pm me if you prefer.

 

[welshcobnewbie]

An update on this from another forum

the two mares went through Melton mowbray sales soon after leaving emma, both mares then went onto the abattoir.

there is also details of another elderly mare taken as a companion and since disappeared. the women involved is supposedly awaiting a court date for similar offences

the lady that took them is from the kings Lyn area.

poor emma is understandable devastated.

 

[Doris68]

I am so sorry to hear this story and, if it is true that they have been sent to an abbatoir (without the owner's knowledge), then I feel that it would always be better to have their much loved animals pts at home.

I hope this doesn't offend, but I really feel that, if you are not (really) sure where they are going, or how the end of their life will be......then, best to be sure and do the kindest (although not the easiest) thing.

 

[dozzie]

Poor Emma. I am not surprised she is devastated. I know I would be too.

 

[Cuffey]

So sorry Emma that this has had a bad ending
Big questions need to be asked in 'high' places as to why a horse complete with Freezemark and distinguishing 'scar' could so easily be re-passported AND go through abattoir with NEW passport with no questions asked
Very worried!

 

[Crystalbank_stud]

How awful for Emma.

And Cuffey I agree fully - why was gaining a new passport so easy!

 

[slingo1uk]

OMG!!! Thats awful, I`m so sorry for Emma.
As for the woman that took them, I hope she gets whats coming and more , the evil wicked bitch.
Yes something needs to be done about this passport lark too its a farce.

 

[Crystalbank_stud]

Not sure if it's true, but there has been a post mentioning a name of the lady who took the horses on loan and that the Police are still looking for her.

I Googled her name and found an add on Horsemart - the advert has been removed, but the contact details are still there. I've kept the info, but it only shows her mobile number and that she lives in Norfolk. Suspect I'm a bit slow on this, but if it's needed then shout.

 

[xxxbettyboopxxx]

[ QUOTE ]
Not sure if it's true, but there has been a post mentioning a name of the lady who took the horses on loan and that the Police are still looking for her.

I Googled her name and found an add on Horsemart - the advert has been removed, but the contact details are still there. I've kept the info, but it only shows her mobile number and that she lives in Norfolk. Suspect I'm a bit slow on this, but if it's needed then shout.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it is true? Why the hell would anyone post it if it was not true. Both Gwen and Lady ended up at Turners in Chesire. This is why I dont bother with h&amp;h forum, it is stuck up and people dont give a [****] tbh. It is unfriendly and not an ounce as good as hm. Sorry but there you have it

 

[crazyponys]

quote:

If it is true? Why the hell would anyone post it if it was not true. Both Gwen and Lady ended up at Turners in Chesire. This is why I dont bother with h&amp;h forum, it is stuck up and people dont give a [****] tbh. It is unfriendly and not an ounce as good as hm. Sorry but there you have it

well betty boop think you just attacked crystal bank stud for no reason.
yes good idea think you should stick to hm

 

[paulineh]

There has been a new website set up i

 

[paulineh]

There has been a new website set up in memory of these 2 horses


www.missinghorsesonloan.webs.com

 

[hellspells]

Poor Emma - I'm so sorry.

BettyBoop - maybe you should think more carefully before pressing 'continue' to post. That was an extremely unnecessary reply.

 

[DebbieCG]

Just wanted to say how sickened I am to hear about these 2 poor mares - I am so sorry for the owner's distress and devastation. It beggars belief how some people can do this to innocent animals and owners - obviously people who can do this are soulless.

Is it not time for government intervention and abbotoirs to take some responsibility for what is fundamentally a crime?

My horse was stolen in the early 1980s - we were never able to find him and do not know what his 'fate' was - I can vouch for the lifetime of heartache on a personal and psychological level that it has caused.

Somthing has to be done on a higher level to help prevent this type of thing happening and for awareness about it. Also, for the sake of some sort of justice, would it not be an idea for the woman who took these horses on loan to be shown on Crimewatch to try and find her and help prevent her doing it again?

 

[Crystalbank_stud]

Bettyboop I think you need to calm down as I think you've read it wrong. The wording is it true is because I had been told that there was a post on another forum saying that the Police were looking for this lady on another incident - I was saying if it's true and not if Emma's story is true.

For goodness sake read things properly before engaging!