The Miracles of the NetPosse Network

NetPosse has participated in the recovery of thousands of stolen and missing horses and other animals over the years. The organization's website and social media channels feature many success stories and testimonials from grateful owners. These stories often highlight the power of the NetPosse Alert system and the community of volunteers who aid in the searches. 

The Founding Success: Idaho's Story

The very origin of Stolen Horse International, also known as NetPosse, is rooted in the successful recovery of a stolen horse named Idaho. Her story serves as the foundational success that inspired the creation of the organization.

The theft: In September 1997, the Metcalfe family of Shelby, North Carolina, discovered their mare, Idaho, had been stolen from their pasture. A cut fence and tire tracks confirmed that she hadn't just escaped.

The search: With little support available at the time, Debi Metcalfe took matters into her own hands. She taught herself to use the internet and began emailing anyone she could find in the equine community, essentially creating the first-ever "NetPosse" alert by hand.

The recovery: After 51 long weeks, a tipster in Tennessee recognized Idaho from a circulated flyer. In September 1998, with the help of law enforcement, Idaho was finally reunited with the Metcalfes. The emotional reunion demonstrated the strength of the bond between horse and owner, as Idaho clearly remembered her family.

The legacy: The successful recovery of Idaho and the network of help created during the search became the inspiration for Debi and Harold Metcalfe to establish Stolen Horse International. The organization was founded on the principle of "people helping people" and continues to aid thousands of horse owners today. The Metcalfes proved that with perseverance, hope, and community support, successful outcomes are possible even in the most difficult situations.

Odie's story

A gray Appaloosa gelding named Odie was stolen from his pasture in Texas. His case is a powerful testament to how a microchip, combined with a quick NetPosse alert, can lead to a swift recovery.

• The theft: In 2014, a horse owner named Sarah discovered her beloved horse, Odie, was missing from his pasture. Heartbroken and in disbelief, she immediately contacted NetPosse.
• The alert: NetPosse, known for its NetPosse Alert system, quickly published a notice for Odie. The alert was rapidly distributed across its network of volunteers and online platforms.
• The technology: Critically, Odie was microchipped. NetPosse emphasized the importance of this form of identification as part of the alert.
• The recovery: The microchip proved to be the key to his recovery. Thanks to the alert and the permanent identification, Odie was found and safely returned to Sarah. The microchip served as irrefutable proof of ownership.
• The impact: Odie's story is a compelling example that highlights the power of modern technology and a supportive community in recovering stolen animals. It reinforces Stolen Horse International's focus on proactive identification and the use of the NetPosse Alert system to bring horses home.

Candy's Story

While the exact content of every tip received during Candy's 63-week disappearance is not publicly detailed, the information that directly led to her recovery came from a woman who had unknowingly purchased the stolen mare. 

Here is a breakdown of how the tips and the NetPosse network came together to recover Candy:

The critical tip: After seeing a NetPosse flyer, the woman who had bought Candy for her first horse realized that the animal she owned was the stolen mare. She made the difficult but honest decision to call the phone number on the flyer, connecting with Candy's owner, Cheryl Snyder. This demonstrates the "Power of One" principle often cited by Stolen Horse International.

Widespread awareness: Before the final tip came in, the NetPosse Alert system had already spread awareness of Candy's disappearance across the country. Through email campaigns, online postings, and volunteer networks, information about the stolen mare was widely disseminated throughout the equine community.

Community engagement: The NetPosse network generated hundreds of phone calls and emails with tips and encouragement for the owner. Many of these came from other victims of equine theft or compassionate horse lovers. While not every tip was directly successful, this community engagement kept the case active and visible for over a year.

Police investigation: The honest tip from the unsuspecting new owner allowed the original owner to get law enforcement involved with clear, actionable information. The recovery involved cooperation between the Fort Bend County and Harris County police departments in Texas.

Public education: The resolution of Candy's case also served as an educational opportunity. It highlighted that new, innocent buyers can also become victims of horse theft, as they often have no way of knowing a horse is stolen. It further underlined the importance of flyers and persistent public awareness campaigns.

Here are some other examples of successful NetPosse recoveries:

• Dixie (recovered after 8 years): In 2021, after eight years of searching, a woman was reunited with her "heart horse," Dixie, thanks to a NetPosse report. Someone recommended NetPosse, and within just two weeks of filing the report, Dixie was found.
• Max (recovered after 58 weeks): A paint gelding named Max was stolen from his home in Illinois. After a notice was posted on NetPosse, horse enthusiasts across the country joined the search. Max was eventually located in Missouri and reunited with his 14-year-old owner.
• Arabella (returned with tack): In 2016, a mare named Arabella was stolen, along with her tack. After NetPosse worked with the owner to distribute flyers, Arabella was found tied to the gate of her barn with all of her tack still on.
• Porter (found after 3 months): In 2021, a horse named Porter was missing for 3 months and 15 days in the Colorado wilderness after running off on a trail. A person at a campsite recognized Porter from a NetPosse flyer and reported him. The horse was safely reunited with his owner.
• Opie (recovered after 10 years): A horse named Opie was stolen in 2002. Nearly a decade later, in 2012, a tipster who checked NetPosse.com spotted Opie for sale on Craigslist. The tip led to Opie being reunited with his family.
  Seven horses in North Carolina: In 2013, Charlotte resident Amanda Bechtel had seven horses stolen. Thanks to tips from people who saw her NetPosse alert, all seven horses were located in Walkertown, NC, and returned to her safely. 
• Ridgeway Five in SC: In late 2014, five horses stolen from Ridgeway, South Carolina, were found for sale at a stockyard. NetPosse and friends, especially one named Nancy Diaz, facilitated the horses' safe recovery by personally covering the purchase costs at the stockyard until a fundraiser allowed the owner to reimburse them.

These stories demonstrate the effectiveness of NetPosse's alert system and the dedication of its volunteers, proving that with community effort and perseverance, missing and stolen animals can often be found.