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Timely Advice from Horse Watch - Helen Evans

Without labouring the crime prevention point, which has been aired many occasions, but it seems the right time to once again highlight certain areas of self-protection for you and your property. Believe it or believe it not there are dishonest people who are  only too happy to steal your property and take your money!

Below are listed, in no particular order, things you should do, be aware of. In reality all the information, suggestions below have been mentioned before in numerous articles in the equine media. Sadly the advice is not always taken up.

Do’s, Don'ts and Be Aware of:-

Don’t loan your horse unless there is a written agreement in place and witnessed by others. If you are thinking of loaning out your horse take advice. There are numerous equine web sites with draft loan agreements you can use as a template. Even consider using a solicitor to draw up the agreement.

Currently I am aware of a person who loaned their horse and all its tack to another without any written agreement. The horse has been sold on. The loaner may not get their horse back without going through civil redress which may cost hundreds of pounds.

Do be very wary of who you buy a horse or property from. There are unscrupulous people out there who will lie and cheat in order to sell you a horse or any other piece of property. The unscrupulous person’s actions and behaviour may be criminal but it has to be proved beyond all reasonable doubt and getting  evidence  may not be as easy as it seems. At the end of the day you may end up with a horse or an item that is not fit for purpose and end up out of pocket. You will have to find an organisation to fight and support your cause. That is not always an easy or straight forward process. Otherwise it will be grin and bear it! You may lose each and everyway.

 

Do remember that a horse passport is not proof of ownership. These documents can be altered and changed in appearance quite easily.

 

Do get any horse you are thinking of buying checked for micro chips. Vets, RSPCA, Welfare organisations have micro chip readers has part of their day to day equipment. Horses are coming into the UK from abroad. They will invariably be chipped. Horses are stolen on the continent and will find their way into this country which means they have to be sold to people like you.

 

Do check web sites that carry information about stolen horses.

 

Do your research. If you are going to invest money in buying any property, a horse, trailer, tack then invest time in researching, what you are buying,  who you are buying from. Internet searches can be revealing. Get second opinions especially from people who are in the know, have experience.

 

Do back away from a deal, purchase, arrangements if you have doubts.

 

Don’t give credit. Are you a livery owner, tack shop, farrier, vet, feed merchant to name but a few? Be aware of people who don’t pay up when requested. If you are prepared to give credit be prepared to lose money.

 

Do think before taking a course of action. There is no such thing as a “free lunch”. For example if an internet deal seems too good to be true then that’s because it is!! Never ever give your money away to someone you can’t see or talk to……………..but even if you do see and talk to them be cautious.

 

Do Post Code all your property. Don’t wait until it gets stolen………by which time it is too late!

 

Do protect your property. On the market there are some good crime prevention devices to protect your property, deter thieves, assist in recovering your property. All you have to do is invest a few extra pounds in buying that security. If you don’t then presumably you can afford to lose it and not want to get it back.

 

Do contact Crime Prevention Officers in your  Police Force area. They can advise you on crime prevention and the Internet is awash with products to suit every ones budget.

 

Do report your suspicions. In the same way that adverts are in the newspapers asking communities to report suspicious activity with a view to prevent terrorism the same principle applies to crime in general. If you have concerns, suspicions report it your local police. Get to know your local police telephone number and the officers who patrol your area. Remember you can give your information anonymously by phoning Crime Stoppers the country on a regular basis concerning crime. The bulletin will provide information, which you can act upon, for example look out for vehicles, which the police have an interested in.

 

Information can always be supplied anonymously by using the Crime Stoppers phone line 0800 555 111