How to stop my horses being stolen?? Best preventative measures?

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After a break of a few years off horses - I've decided to jump back in and got a beautiful gypsy cob and a lovely children's pony. Previously I was always able to keep my horses where I live, and now we own our own land but it is 5mins from our house. I'm concerned about these mares being stolen and wonder what further preventative steps I can take. We've 10 acres of land and fenced off an area not immediately visible from the road. We have hedges, then stock fencing and then electric fencing keeping them in; we have very heavy duty padlocks on the gates; we also have lovely neighbours at the field and have purposefully placed the horse paddock alongside their house for extra security. What else can I do? Am I over worrying? It is not an area known for horse theft or crime! Both horses passported, micro-chipped and one of them freeze marked.
 
I think you are worrying too much. Most "stolen" horses are actually lost/dead in a ditch and not yet found or taken on loan/marital breakdown situations rather than nicked out a field.
 
Random horse theft is incredibly rare because horses just don't hold any value without a traceable history.
Therefore, assuming you dont have deep ditches/ inadequate fencing/ a feud with an ex-partner/ are planning on putting the horse on loan to someone who will then sell it on, your horses will be very safe.
I wouldn't keep any stuff there though and I've known rugs be stolen off horse's backs
 
You have made me feel instantly better :-) - no ditches, no inadequate fencing, no ex-partner feuds and no plans to loan them. All stuff will be always be taken home, and they're checked twice a day.
 
Signal said:
After a break of a few years off horses - I've decided to jump back in and got a beautiful gypsy cob and a lovely children's pony. Previously I was always able to keep my horses where I live, and now we own our own land but it is 5mins from our house. I'm concerned about these mares being stolen and wonder what further preventative steps I can take. We've 10 acres of land and fenced off an area not immediately visible from the road. We have hedges, then stock fencing and then electric fencing keeping them in; we have very heavy duty padlocks on the gates; we also have lovely neighbours at the field and have purposefully placed the horse paddock alongside their house for extra security. What else can I do? Am I over worrying? It is not an area known for horse theft or crime! Both horses passported, micro-chipped and one of them freeze marked.
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Padlock both sides of the gates so it makes it difficult to be lifted off on the hinged side.Or have the hinges attached so the gate can't be lifted.
 
I do think its quite rare for them to go missing but missing they do go. All you can do is make sure you have up to date pictures from all angles showing all markings, and the chip/freeze details up to date. Another thing to consider is to move things regularly....like set something outside the gate and move it everyday so people "watching" know someone comes up regularly. Ill admit im overly paranoid type too, and i tend to bring my horses in at random times, or if i have had anyone at the house i dont like the look of. I did have a head collar stolen once, which i was raging about because my chestnut tb gelding looked amazing in his pink diamante fly fringe. I highly suspect my very traditional hunt master neighbour thought it abhorrent and wanted to teach me a lesson.
 
Lets put it this way, the fences/gates were trashed near us when I was in wilts and not a single horse was taken... much easier to flog on the kit and a quad...
 
Horse theft is very very rare .
However coloured horses are at more risk .
Make sure they are chipped and freeze branded .
But a sign on the gate saying that .
 
Castrating and freeze marking are your best bets. Mares are always going to be a bit more of a target especially if they fall into one of the desirable types (thick and hairy or high stepping). Fortunately the risk is still much lower than that for dogs/poultry/other livestock.
 
Motion sensor cameras are about £100. You could always rig a ne up securely near the gate to give you an idea of who's coming and going and if anyone's 'casing the joint'.
 
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