Prevention of Horse Thieves

[Laya]

I've heard about a mini micro chip that's inserted underneath of a horse's skin (I think along the crest line). This thing is conected to a computer and if you're horse is stolen you can most likely track it down with this. Has anyone ever used one of these before? What do they do? Where can I get one? How much does it cost? And how long do they last?

[Maria]

I had my mare micro-chipped last October. The vet injected the chip under the skin on her neck - the needle used is quite large but Carrie didn't object (just looked as if to say "what are you doing") and there was no reaction to the needle afterwards.

The microchip has a unique number on it which can be read by a handheld scanner (vets and a number of auctioneers have scanners). The number is registered with a logging system (Petlog in my case)so that the number can be traced back to the horse's owner.

Microchipping cost me £20 - reduced because the vet was already coming out to do Carrie's annual booster vaccinations.

Freeze-marking is another more visible alternative. Carrie was freezemarked before I bought her but the mark is on her white shoulder and is difficult to see - I think she should have been "bald-marked" given her colour- and being a very hairy cob she looks weird if you clip over the mark. So rather than having her other shoulder freeze-marked I've opted for the microchip.

[Mavi]

In Spain the vet does a card where they mark the colour of the horse, and all the markings that the animal has (hair curls etc..)on a drawing, I think that they go to a register here and this is how you can trace stolen horses as the card is needed for transportation of the horse as also you need to inform the authorities that you are transporting the horse when and where (unless you ride it of course).

If your horse is stolen, you inform the police and show their card as it is as their I.D. and if anybody needs to vaccinate the animal or take it anywhere they would need first to get a vet to do the card and they can trace it.

I think that this is the best way to identificate the animal as their natural markings are like our finger prints.

[bren]

Wow, that sounds like a good idea. Even if you did it just for yourself. I know that we all can tell our horses apart from similar ones but someone else might not be able to. Horses change hands here so much that it would be hard to inforce, wouldnt it? Even across country borders, we recently got two dogs from Hawaii and they didnt ask us any questions when we came over the US/Canada border. I dont know if its different for horses to get taken across the border.

[bren]

Yes our stb is freezebranded on one shoulder and of course has a tatoo. But if they are stolen and sent for slaughter how many auction places and slaughter houses check for i.d.?? Your best bet is to make it nearly impossible for someone to get at your horse unknown. Ive told our neighbours that if they ever see anyone in our yard with a horsetrailer, to call us first, then call the police. They know we dont show our horses etc.Its scary, the statistics on horse theivery is high, and a person could hide a horse on their property very easy, theres tons of people around here with a horse in their backyard, who would notice another one? A really good picture( all 4 views) would help, I would imagine. Any other tips on evading horse theives??

[me2]

Microchips can be given to many animals even birds. The microchip lasts indefinitely - it does not need to have batteries replaced or anything - the chips are read by a small scanner being past over the area of the animal & a number being displayed. The numbers are stored on a computer database on which details of ownership are registered. These details can be changed if there is a change of owner. There have been very rare incidents of the chip moving around the animal shortly after implantation so it is worth asking the vet to rescan him a year or so later just to be sure. The only problem with microchiping is that unlike freeze marking there is no visible deterant to would be thieves.

[Laya]

So, could a microchip cause an infection or something? Could you also do freeze branding too? Because freeze branding is more visible, but it can also be redone or whatever. Can't it? That's what I've heard. That thieves can tamper with a freeze branding mark.

[bren]

Not to be a real downer or anything but...what are the chances of your horse going thru a checkpoint that has the equipment or the manpower to scan the microchip? Are we talking horse theives that steal your horse to keep or to sell for slaughter? If its for to keep, well,I drove by a house today that had 2 new horses in the pasture( I notice those things), horses are bought and sold everyday, by the time you notice your horse is missing, it could be long gone...literally! As for auction, well, probably the same thing,long gone. I think preventative measures are important, such as padlocked gates, security lighting,barn alarms etc. How many of you in deluxe stables have the above? How many at home? And Im not being smug, I dont either( I do have very nosy neighbours though, they came over once when there was a horsetrailer stopped here, we were home, it was a friend).

[Laya]

We realize that you weren't being smug. What you said was true. No matter how many preventions are taken, they're not always going to work. Thanks for pointing that out. I realize that, but taking precautions is better than not taking any at all.