Charlotte, North Carolina: Horse theft in rural communities is unfortunately an all too common experience. With the current epidemic of stolen horses in the state of Texas alone, horse owners are on high alert and taking actions to secure their horses, pastures and barns. Unfortunately, the typical precautions taken such as padlocks, microchipping and branding are helpful, but we are learning they are not enough.
Even in horse dense communities like Norco, California, Ocala, Florida, Aiken, South Carolina and Lexington, Kentucky as well as Texas’ horse country, horses are stolen from farms and ranches of all sizes. From small acre mini- farms to show barns, and hundred acre pastures, horse theft does not discriminate. It is all too often we hear that someone suspicious was seen near a farm, barn or gate AFTER horses are reported missing.
Our current article addresses just this issue. Bringing to the attention of horse owners how horse communities in states like California and countries like Australia, Ireland and England have had significant impact on horse theft through the formation of horse watch communities like farm watch, rural area watch groups and neighborhood horse watch groups.
This article provides information on steps owners can take regardless of the number of horses on their property, horse housing or their proximity to other farms or neighbors,. Not all horse owners are able to afford camera systems, but getting to know your neighboring horse owners and knowing whom to call if suspicions arise, can prevent horse theft before horses are long gone from the property.
In addition to providing assistance with recovery of Stolen and Missing Horses, Stolen Horse International provides fact based and educational articles of interest to horse owners across the world on our website at www.netposse.com