SECURITY GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION
Information supplied by South Yorkshire Police Horsewatch.

• Report unusual incidents or suspicious behaviour to the police. If what you have seen requires immediate attention then telephone 999. Pass on as much detail as possible, eg registration numbers, make / model of vehicles, description of people.
  DO NOT try to tackle suspicious people - phone the Police.
• If you are away for any length of time, make sure someone you trust knows.
• Make sure that where you store your tack is secure. If the door opens outwards, fit hinge bolts. Locks should be fitted with a British Standard 5-lever lock. Quality window locks should secure Windows. Intruder alarms are highly recommended and act as a good deterrent. Display signs that advertise the fact the property has been security marked.
  Ask for a visit from your local Crime Prevention Officer for advice.
• Immobilise your trailer eg use a good quality hitchlock and / or wheel clamp. Consider chaining it to a permanent fixture. Use wheel clamps and car alarm / immobiliser on your horse box. Postcode your horse box / trailer in several areas, including the roof. Keep details of the chassis numbers and photograph the property if possible. Park them where you can see them if possible, preferably in an area which is lit at night or has intruder security lighting.
• Make sure you have an accurate record of your animals and property (Freezemark numbers, destinguishing features, colours, registration marks, chassis numbers etc).
  To the unknowing eye a horse is a horse and a saddle is a saddle, without proper means of identifying your property you may never get it back, even if it is recovered, as the Police will have no way of telling that it is yours. This is also important evidence for charging and prosecuting the offenders.
  Postcoding is the best way to mark your tack, as all Police Forces have access to a database that will give them the street and area the postcode belongs to, thus enabling them to contact the correct Force and so find the rightful owner. Many Forces have the equipment to postcode, contact your local Crime Prevention Officer for details.
• Photograph horses / ponies from various angles and in different seasons, including when clipped. Keep several copies of the photographs, so they can be circulated quickly and above all keep them up to date. Take close up photos of any destinguishing features (eg visible scars from old injuries, whorls in unusual places, white markings such as socks, stars, saddle marks, etc). Print off and complete a Passport for your horse before he goes missing (Horse Passport) ready to forward to the Police.
  This advice also applies to your vehicles and items of tack.
• Try not to leave a head collar on a horse / pony, either in the field, paddock or stable.
• Visit your horse / pony frequently and make irregular spot checks so that you do not have a set pattern that someone can take advantage of.
• Check gate security - make sure it cannot be lifted off its hinges, use a good quality close shackled padlock and use a padbar rather than a chain, as it can not be cut easily.
• Fit signs onto gates / fences / doors stating that property is security marked and / or protected by Horsewatch.
• Keep hedges and fences in a good state of repair and check them regularly.

ROAD SAFETY ADVICE

• If you ride or take your horse / pony onto the road, make sure you are highly visible to other road users.
• Always wear a hard hat and gloves.
• If leading your horse walk on the roadside, not the pavement side and carry a crop in your hand - if the horse steps into the traffic you then have the means to encourage him to step back.
• When riding, always leave a copy of your route at the stables or with a friend and keep to it. Leave a copy of your time of departure and approximate time of return.
• Keep a note inside the lining of your hat with your details and those of another contact in case of emergency.
• Have a name tag with contact details fitted to your horses tack, incase you are separated.
• Do not ride after dusk, unless absolutely necessary - if you do, wear flourescent clothing and riding lights - BE SEEN