The Horse That Came Home: Celebrating 28 Years

On September 26, 2025, Stolen Horse International will mark the 28th anniversary of a moment that changed the lives of founders Harold and Debi Metcalfe forever. After 51 long weeks of searching, their beloved horse, Idaho, finally returned home. Her theft in 1997 ignited a relentless quest for justice that led to the creation of an organization that has since helped thousands of horse owners find their own missing or stolen animals.

The fateful day and the tireless search

For Harold and Debi Metcalfe, the nightmare began on September 17, 1997, when their mare, Idaho, was stolen from their pasture. Like most horse owners at the time, they had no clear path to follow for a missing horse. Police provided limited assistance, so the Metcalfes knew they would have to lead the charge themselves. They worked tirelessly, plastering flyers across state lines and contacting countless horse dealers, auction houses, and law enforcement agencies.

The search was a grueling ordeal, made more difficult by the lack of technology to aid them. However, a family friend set up an account on the new "Internet," which Debi used to create flyers and send them to horse professionals across the country. After 51 weeks, they received the break they needed: a tip from someone who recognized Idaho from one of their flyers. She was recovered in Tennessee, bringing the Metcalfe's year-long ordeal to a close.

The birth of Stolen Horse International

The day Idaho came home, September 26, 1998, was not only the end of a personal journey but the beginning of a powerful mission. During their investigation, the Metcalfes discovered that horse theft was far more prevalent than they had ever imagined, with tens of thousands of horses stolen every year.

Realizing there was no existing support system for victims, the Metcalfes founded Stolen Horse International, later branded as NetPosse by the media. The organization was built on a simple premise: use the power of the internet and a growing network of volunteers to create a digital "Amber Alert" for stolen horses. This was a pioneering effort at the time, establishing the first-ever online alert system for missing and stolen horses.

A legacy of hope and help

In the 28 years since its founding, Stolen Horse International has grown into a vital non-profit, operating with an all-volunteer team and surviving on donations. The organization's two core programs are:

• Educational Outreach Program: Educates horse owners on theft prevention, security measures, and the importance of permanent equine identification, including microchipping.
• Victims' Services Program: Offers tools, counseling, and a powerful alert network to support victims in locating and recovering their stolen or missing animals.

The organization's mission has expanded to include lost animals in disaster zones, as well as stolen tack and trailers.

Reduced operational capacity

As a volunteer-run organization, Stolen Horse International has always maximized the impact of every donation. A lack of donations directly impacts its operational capacity, jeopardizing its core activities. 

• Website maintenance: The website, NetPosse.com, is the central hub for the alert system, educational resources, and ID registry. Keeping it running and up-to-date with current technology requires funding.
• Case management: The Victims' Services Program, which provides guidance to overwhelmed owners, becomes less responsive. Volunteers spend time on administrative tasks, like seeking funding, instead of directly assisting victims.
• Outreach materials: A lack of funds limits the creation and distribution of educational materials, such as flyers and awareness campaigns, which are crucial for theft prevention

Help continue the mission

Stolen Horse International's invaluable services are made possible by dedicated volunteers and the generosity of donors. As the organization looks to the future, it faces the same challenge as many non-profits: a shortage of funds. Without continued financial support, the organization will have to make drastic changes to its operations, or worse, be forced to limit the assistance it can offer to desperate horse owners.

The Metcalfes created Stolen Horse International so that no other horse owner would have to go through what they did. Supporting the organization with donations is not just about keeping a nonprofit afloat; it's about protecting the collective hope and safety of the entire horse community.

Your donation, no matter the size, directly supports the continuation of Idaho's legacy and ensures that thousands of horse owners will continue to have a lifeline when they need it most. Please consider donating today to help Stolen Horse International continue its crucial work of protecting horses and reuniting families.