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NetPosse.com Article - Tack Theft – Are You Prepared?
Tack Theft Tips for Thought
by Debi Metcalfe
Prefaced by Angela Kirby's (Pictured right)
I am Not Special …
Repeat after me … I am not special …
Three days after returning to town at the end of July 2006, it occurred to me that I needed to check on my tack in the barn. I had meant to move the saddles and bridles to the safety of the house before leaving, but it just never happened. The fact that the barn sat isolated just off the seldom-traveled dirt road, with the house out of sight and a quarter-mile uphill behind it, left the structure an open target for any thieves. In fact, a lawnmower had already disappeared.
When I peered through the stall slats into the back of the barn, I can’t say I was surprised to see something amiss. Upon entering the area where my saddles usually sat on wooden racks, I discovered that, sure enough, my two western saddles were not there. My English saddle and saddle pads were all that was left behind.
Disgusted, I immediately backed out of the barn, noticing on the way out that a storage container that had several halters, leads, and bridles, was also gone. I was careful not to disturb the ground or touch anything. However, there were no distinct footprints due to recent rains, and fingerprints would be impossible to lift on the dusty, rusty gates.
Operating on logic and not allowing emotions to set in, I retrieved my cell phone from my car and dialed 911. Not being an emergency and in the middle of a shift change, it was an hour before a deputy showed up.
In the meantime, the horses had seen my car at the barn and had come to investigate, hoping it was feeding time. Counting heads, I couldn’t help but give thanks that at least it wasn’t any of them. I was angry and upset about the tack, but I would have been devastated if it had been the horses.
My next call was to Debi Metcalfe of Stolen Horse International (SHI), the Internet’s No. 1 resource for assistance in stolen horses, tack and trailers. Not only is Debi the founder and president of SHI, but she also has become a trusted friend since I began administrative work for the organization a few years ago.
As the volunteer Executive Coordinator for SHI, I network with and for victims, handle a lot of email  correspondence, write press releases, design products and ads, and whatever else needs to be done. However, one of my most important contributions to SHI is the processing of the stolen and missing reports received through SHI’s website, NetPosse.com, for horses, tack and trailers.
So I couldn’t help but feel stupid when I had to fill out my own theft report and create my own flyer. By the time the deputy arrived I was able to hand him a few color flyers and my listing was already on the NetPosse site.
Later, when I had a moment to think, I couldn’t help but ask … How did this happen to me? Don’t I know better?
The answers are simple: Equine-related theft can happen to anyone, and, yes, I knew better. I didn’t have my tack uniquely identified, and I hadn’t even posted the NetPosse security signs I had, or taken any of the other preventive measures that Debi recommends, except for one.
The one thing I had recently done was to take numerous pictures of the saddles, including close-ups of markings and flaws. These pictures will be invaluable in locating and identifying this tack. Without them, even I probably couldn’t positively identify my saddles if recovered.
And while I certainly wasn’t one to say that “it won't happen to me,” it doesn’t take away the feelings of being violated. Someone took something that was mine that they had no right to. The saddles held no significant monetary value, but I cannot replace the sentiments.
 This situation is full of ironies, and one goes back twenty years. The two western saddles that were stolen had actually replaced some stolen when I was a child. Even when I didn’t have horses, I drug those saddles from place to place.
Of course, twenty years ago, NetPosse didn’t exist. Now there is the power of the Internet, and through the hard work of Debi and the NetPosse volunteers, that power has been harnessed so that it is not impossible to recover tack. Not only do volunteers forward the victim’s individual webpage and flyer, they watch for the tack at local shops and online auctions. These people also offer invaluable emotional support and encouragement. There are tips on searching for stolen property on the website, as well.
The day after I discovered my saddles stolen, I canvassed the surrounding areas by posting flyers at convenience stores, feed and tack stores, and local auctions. Through NetPosse.com’s Idaho Alert system (the horse community’s Amber Alert), the information was saturating Cyberspace within hours that same night. I also called the investigation unit with the state department of agriculture, and made sure they had the information about my tack.
A year later, I am still upset that I have not recovered my tack, but I have not given up hope. I will continue to forward the information or post the flyer.
While I hope the rest of this story has yet to be written, and that would be the successful recovery of my tack, one of the greatest ironies I found myself in was that my tack was stolen while I was with Debi at SHI headquarters in North Carolina. Doesn’t that just put a bee in your bonnet?
I am living proof that it doesn’t always happen to someone else. We don’t need to be complacent and think that we can’t be a victim.
Debi Metcalfe is a renowned expert on equine-related theft. She travels the country every year speaking to horse owners about theft prevention, and she has dedicated her life to helping the victims. To her credit, Debi has had articles in most major horse publications, and has been on television and radio in an effort to continue her work through SHI and for victims.
This information and advice Debi offers is your opportunity to be proactive. If you are reading this article, you can’t say you weren’t warned. I was. You can’t say it won’t happen to me. It can. Once you read the article, you will see the errors of my ways, and perhaps your own.
NOTE: I just finished writing this introduction, and I checked my email … guess what? There is a stolen tack report just received out of Houston, Texas. Any questions?
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Tack Theft Tips for Thought
by Debi Metcalfe
Saddles and other tack account for a huge portion of equine crime, and tack theft has been a recurring problem in the United States and Canada. People living in rural communities continue to be singled out because of the large amounts of horse tack in their barns and trailers. Significant quantities of tack are stolen from horse trailers at home, shows or at other horse events.
Horse and tack theft is now big business – and getting bigger. Both are disposed of through local auctions, classified ads, dealers, private sales and online auctions. It is easier than ever to “fence” equipment. Recently one person was discovered selling items stolen from the tack rooms of America in one of the largest online auctions. How much easier can it get than sitting in your house while customers come to you?
Even when found the items are almost impossible to trace without proper identification.
“I didn’t know the difference between an English or western saddle until now,” says Heather Conley who works for the Prestonsburg, Kentucky police department. “We have recovered thousands of dollars of saddles and equipment and have no idea where some of it goes.”
Identify your equipment
Tack presents its own particular complexities, as marking can be difficult due to the nature of the  equipment. Thieves are much less likely to steal anything that’s traceable. Permanent tack markings not only act as effective deterrents but also frequently lead to the recovery of stolen equipment and the arrest of the offender.
- Die stamp or emboss leather - It has a rather limited life but it is possible to mark tack leather. Stamp into the area underneath the horn of your saddle, easily seen and difficult to remove.
- Drivers license - Some law enforcement officers encourage owners to stamp their drivers license number onto the saddle making it easier to locate the victims. I agree with them on the purpose but question if this is wise in today’s world of identity theft. You make the choice. (Don’t use social security numbers!)
- Serial numbers - Many new saddles have serial numbers but these are often hard to find. Serial numbers help but are not always visible.
- Microchips - It is possible to inject microchips into saddles but the benefits of this are restricted. Not all law enforcement agencies have access to scanners for reading the chips.
- Branding - Branding has proved to be successful way to mark a saddle. Your farrier should be able to make a small brand for you and mark your saddles.
- Punching a pattern into the under side of your saddle or bridle is a way to mark without expensive equipment. Be sure you trace the outline of your pattern on a piece of paper for your files.
- Take pictures of your tack before you need them. Can you explain every part of each piece of equipment you own? Can you describe a saddle to someone who may not know what you mean when you describe the fender, horn, skirt or stirrup?
Prevention
Take steps to discourage theft. Thieves basically depend on you to make it easy for them. Some buildings are an invitation to theft that is deserted at night and protecting them presents a problem. Consider these tips and take steps to reduce your risk.
- Many barns, sheds, and tack rooms are frequently in need of attention. They may be practical structures, but unacceptable as tack rooms.
- Make certain your tack room is properly secured with the heady duty hinges, locks and doors.
- Get an alarm to deter burglars.
- Have a loud animal nearby such as dog or donkey.
- Identify your tack.
- Display signs stating that your property is identified.
- Take notes on visitors to your farm and write down tag number.
- Install motion lighting around tack room building.
- Make sure a gate is in place across driveways to tack storage area. Lock this gate with heavy-duty chain and padlock.
- Iron bars are harder to get through than windows, which are easily broken.
- Consider keeping tack in your home rather than leaving it in an isolated tack room. Equipment is more secure when kept in your home.
Identify your thief
- Knowing the type of thief that took your equipment may help in your search and chances for recovery.
The local thief steals:
- One or two saddles
- Usually in the daytime
- Usually only one stable is hit at a time.
The professional thieves almost always:
- Strike at night
- Take all of the good saddles and bridles.
- If four or more saddles are taken, or several barns are hit in one night, it’s probably the work of a theft ring.
- They generally steal from barns that are within a five-minute drive of an interstate or major highway.
- No one knows how these thieves decide which stable to hit, so everyone is vulnerable.
If your tack is stolen, report your theft to law enforcement. Watch for saddle and tack ads in newspapers, magazines, and bulletin boards in your county and surrounding counties. Check out online auctions and tack sale list groups. Distribute flyers and tell your friends about your theft. List your tack on websites with stolen tack pages.
If you choose to file a report with NetPosse.com, a personal webpage and flyer will be created for you, and the information quickly distributed to the organization’s vast, established network.
Tack theft is big business! Take steps now so that you don’t become the next victim.
For more information or questions about ID products for Tack, visit www.netposse.com, or email stolenhorse@netposse.com.
Stolen Horse International, Inc. is a 501c3 non profit organization.
Copyright © 2007 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission.
 For more information or questions about ID products for Tack, visit www.netposse.com, or email stolenhorse@netposse.com.
Stolen Horse International, Inc. is a 501c3 non profit organization.
Click HERE to purchase low cost identification products for your horse and tack. All proceeds support educational programs and victims services.
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