By Debi Metcalfe, founder of Stolen Horse International

We all have patterns in our lives that repeat. You are here when you want to be there, there when you want to be here, traveling for business when you want to be home, home when you need to be traveling. Often the here and there cuts into your favorite activity – saddling up your favorite horse and riding. What happens when we finally find time to ride and open the tackroom door to discover our saddle is not there? 

With all of this disorder and mayhem that many of us experience in our daily lives we forget to take care of, or don’t even think about, protecting ourselves against theft. The recession has spurred cutbacks, layoffs and, now, increased theft. With the economy tanking, law enforcement sees a spike in old-time thievery. And what do people steal in times of recession? Cash, clothes, cigarettes, copper - pretty much everything!

Just look at the headlines in the news: 

1. Gas theft on the rise
2. Auto theft on the rise
3. Identity theft and fraud on the rise
4. Dog theft on the rise
5. Cattle theft on the rise
6. Horse theft on the rise 

Although I did not include it on the list, tack theft is on the rise, too. It is upsetting when bridles, saddles or other horse riding equipment is taken not only because of the expense but also because of the time that it takes to build up a set of tack that perfectly fits both you and your horse. Thieves gladly grab any types of tack, including trophy saddles, which are readily accessible and ripe for the taking, even if someone is on the property at the time.

Ten of the best ways to protect your equipment are listed below.

1. Keep equipment under lock and key when it is not in use.
2. Install sturdy locks on your tack room and make sure that the building is properly secured.
3. Mark all of your tack with your state and driver’s license number with a brand, leather or word engraver underneath in a visible place. This may server as a deterrent and makes found equipment easy to trace right from a law enforcement officer’s car. Do not use your Social Security number.
4. Post signs around your property stating that horses and equipment have permanent identification.
5. Build tack rooms without windows or safeguard existing windows with bars. Even if your tack room is locked, anyone passing the window may see your equipment. It only takes a minute for a thief to break a window, scramble in and take your equipment.
6. If you have tack boxes sitting around, lock them. If your boxes do not have locks on them, put one on them. Place your boxes inside your trailer or camper, if possible. 
7. Install video cameras and signs stating that you have them. Inexpensive cameras can now be purchased at your local alarm, hardware or large variety stores.
8. Install motion lighting around tack room building.
9. Consider keeping tack in your home rather than leaving it in an isolated tack room. Equipment is more secure when kept in your home and more apt to be covered by insurance.

10.  Take notes on visitors to your farm. Write down tag numbers or better yet, take pictures of them and the tag number. If they ask why, tell them you keep records of all visitors, and in case of a theft, the information will be turned over to the authorities.

Because of the “risk vs. reward” nature of tack theft and the potential for greater monetary gain at the end of the day – it is easy for someone to be drawn to stealing when they are down on their luck.

Tack theft is big business! Take steps now so that you don’t become the next victim.

Stolen Horse International, Inc. is a 501c3 non profit organization. Send questions to Debi Metcalfe at stolenhorse@netposse.com.