The first step to preventing the theft of a horse is to ensure that fields where horses are kept are secure. Although thieves may gain access to a field easily eg climbing over a fence or gate, they have to be able to remove the horse in order to steal it.
Fields where horses are visible from the roadside with no security or with a gate or fencing that could easily be broken to remove a horse could make the horses easy targets for horse thieves particularly if the road is a quiet, especially at night.
Secure gateposts, gates and fencing all restrict a thief removing a horse from the field. Gateposts set in concrete and welding gate hinge tops over will prevent gates being lifted out or lifted from their posts and a close-shackled padlock with pad bar or heavy duty chain will help to ensure the gate cannot be opened. Wire fencing alone can easily be cut through whilst post and rail fencing or wire fencing with thick hedges make it harder for a thief to make a gateway in the fencing to remove a horse from its field.
Making a horse difficult for a thief to sell on can also act as a deterrant against horse theft. Visible and permanent security markings on the horse such as a freezemark or a hot iron brand can make the horse less attractive to a thief. Displaying signs on stable doors, fields or marking the outside of rugs stating that horses are security marked or microchipped may also help to deter theives.
