The importance of permanent ID and pictures ...

Read the court update below ...

JB, stolen from Missouri and recovered on September 7th, 2001 in Kinta, Oklahoma, three weeks after theft..

The original plea for help:

JB NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Horse Stolen From Harrisonville, Mo Area on 8/20/01

A 15-year-old solid sorrel-colored gelding with a diamond-cactus brand on the left hip was stolen from his home Sunday evening, August 20. This gelding is a retired companion that requires medication daily. His owners are frantic to find him. There is a reward for the return of the horse, no questions asked as to how he was acquired. If you think you can be of help, will you please contact me?

Wendi Vines
Membership Chair, Missouri Equine Council
President, Rough Rider Saddle Club of Eldon, Missouri
Work 573/392-2704
Home 573/676-3457

There are many ways to identify your horse, with only a few visible. If you have ever wondered, "Should I brand or shouldn't I brand?" think of this story. What lengths will someone go to conceal a horse?

It was a long afternoon of waiting and hoping, but Stacey's hopes finally came true. The phone rang, and the officer on the other end of the phone said, "I have your horse."

For three weeks, Stacey worked night and day to find her horse. She worked with Stolen Horse International, many volunteers on the Internet, and friends, new and old, to distribute information about her missing horse, JB.

JB was in Kinta, Oklahoma, being ridden in barrel horse races. A flyer that was put into the hands of a lady at a Tulsa event recognized him right away as the horse she had seen someone with earlier. She had wondered how they came to own such a wonderful horse when they had not been able to do so. Now she knew the rest of the story.

The police were called and dispatched to the man's home. A search of the property was completed but did not turn up the horse. As the deputy rolled up his window, he heard a whinny off in another direction from where he had been taken to survey the horses on the property. It seemed there was one place the owner had not taken him. If he had rolled up his window 3 seconds earlier, he would not have heard the horse's cry. He searched the other building and immediately spotted the brand on JB's hindquarters.

Once notified that JB was in protective custody, Stacey and her husband took off into the night to claim their horse. When they arrived a photo of the JB was shown to the deputy and the deputy's face went pale.

"That is not the horse I have." He told Stacy. "The horse I have has a white blaze."

Stacey was shocked but not daunted by this discovery and told the officer it must be her horse since the brand was there. The officer took them to the horse. They were stunned by what they saw.

The once sorrel gelding with only a star on his forehead now had a full white blaze, white spots on his rump, and his mane, tail, and legs had been darkened. There was an unsuccessful attempt to alter the brand with dye and a razor. The cactus was a little hidden, but the diamond was still there.

JB and Stacy are home now and left to sort out the legal issues concerning the alleged thief. Hopefully, Missouri laws will make sure the man will be made to pay for his crime. (Read the story on Penny and how the thief got away thanks to the justice system)

Ultimately, the brand identified JB even though his appearance had changed. Do you have the answer to that question about branding now?

 JB's Day in Court - Posted August 12, 2003

I have just found out that on August 8, 2003, in Stigler, OK, Haskell County, James Bray entered a plea of guilty for the counts of knowing and willingly concealing stolen property and obliteration of a brand (this happened when he colored my entire horse in an attempt to hide my brand).

He also had been charged with the theft of my horse after an investigation produced strong evidence from here in Cass County, MO. Still, those charges were dismissed due to a technicality on the sheriff in Haskell County because he did not receive permission from the Bray's to go in the small shed where he DID find my horse on their property. He was sentenced to 5 years probation, a $250.00 fine, and has to pay court costs.

I want to thank everyone again for all the hard work and concern in helping me get JB back. It makes me feel so good every morning that I can see him standing in my pasture at HIS home!!

Stacy Oney and JB