“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

 By Ellen Wright, NetPosse.com, Dec. 2011

            Remember the Dr. Seuss book for Christmas? Yea, that one-the story about the Grinch who stole Christmas from the children of Whoville. It seems that  there are a number of people in the world “channeling” that character right about now-and we’re out to try to have the same kind of ending!

            Tack theft of all sorts is on the rise-and for good reason.

            Let’s face facts:

1. It’s expensive.
2. We all need it.
3. It is portable-and easy to hide.
4. Very few people take the time to mark it or photograph it.
5. Even fewer people will bother to question that “good deal” they’re getting on it.

And therein lies the rub.

            Now add into this equation a tiny face and big blue eyes that are so disappointed that she can’t ride because somebody took the saddle from the tack room. It isn’t just happening in your neighborhood-it is happening around the world. Just as an example, we give you Lilly Baldwin and mom Sarah, of Tenbury, UK.[1] Lilly is only three, but she loves to ride. She can’t now. Somebody stole all the tack from the tack room. Everything was locked up-but, like most tack rooms, no one is around for a good bit of the time. The thieves had plenty of time to get the lock open, load up, and make good their escape.

            How can you prevent thieves from getting your tack? Well, we have several suggestions. Some you may not like.

1. Those tack trunks? Do NOT use them on an everyday basis. Those locks are easy to break into and all you are doing is giving a thief an easy way to cart your stuff away. Use those things for what they are meant to be used for-to go to shows ONLY.
2. Microchip your saddle-and register the number somewhere. (We’ll do it at NetPosse.com! See our shop!)
3. Use an engraver and mark your tack.
4. Take photographs. Store on a CD or on your back-up drive separate from your hard drive.
5. Don’t forget to mark bits, spurs, and other items. Those can be costly to replace as well.
6.  Keep records of bills of sale. If stolen, you will need to prove value.
7. Keep NetPosse.com and the phone number handy! We don’t want you to need us, but we do want you to have us if you do.

            Remember as you shop for your Christmas giving this year-if that item has a price tag that just sounds too good to be true, you might want to call the authorities to check it out. It just might belong to somebody other than the person trying to sell it to you!