Protecting your stable from intruders

Janet B · Yearling

Protecting your stable from intruders

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Hi Janet, one of my favorite facilities has only one way in, and one way out. In order to get to the barns, you need to drive past the house, this allow is a major "fear factor" saver. In addition to this, the driveway has a laser trip that rings a bell in the house and two in the barn, letting you that somebody has entered your land. The owner also said that it has been useful in the event that a few young horses made a great escape from their pasture and were barreling down the road. While it is hard to have each facility under lock down, and each property is different (some having multiple entrances), doing certain things could deter a problem. Such as having motion sensored lighting, locking all field gates that are on the outside perimeter of the property. Keep valuable tack in a safe place, out of the open anyway. Have a hitch lock on your horse trailer (this is a cheap way to keep your trailer from walking, err.. rolling away).

Have identification records for all horses on the property (reg. name, full description of horse, photos, possible branding/s) in the event that something does happen. There is lots more you could consider, and I am sure somebody can add to this!

sedonasilver · Advanced

We have the option to padlock our saddles and bridles to the saddle racks at the end of the day, and there is only one way in and out of the property too (you also have to go past the house to get to the stables)

The property also has motion lights and several dogs which keep an eye on things,

Fortunately horse stealing is a very rare crime in my area, our local thieves have eyes for 4 wheeler bikes however.

Marlene · Advanced

I have a German Shepherd on duty 24/7 who takes her job very seriously. I also have a Golden Retriever who is pretty useless for protection, but he has a very big bark, so I would hear if anything went on.

-- Edited by Marlene on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 05:47:59 PM

prospect · Advanced

at our place you must pass the house - my parents are always watching the barn from their apartment and we have on very very big dog

MagsNMe · Advanced

The facility I board at has a gate. All the boarders have remotes for it, and it's left open for deliveries, or whatever, but that's it. It's also bounded by other properties on all sides, so you'd have go go through lots of fields to get to the place. It's a small private facility, so I don't bother locking up tack or anything.

But, as an aside, I do worry about my horse being stolen, so I've tossed about branding for a couple years and can't bring myself to do it. But, I've also been told that microchips aren't as effective (the brand inspectors at meat facilities only scan horses that resemble one reported stolen). I can't say I really worry about the two of my Mom's, one who won't get on a trailer (she's 23 and finished with trailers), and the other whom most people are scared stiff of. But my show horse will get on any trailer, and I want to protect her and the little one.

cjroyg · Well Schooled

At my barn we have to pass by the house and her house does not have much walls so when I go and do the shores in the morning she hears me taking scoops of sweat feed. There is always someone at the house so in that sense we have a bit of security. We have 6 doors and only four of them have locks, the front ones. But you would have to know the place to figure how to get to the back and get inside. We don't have very expensive horses there and they are all pretty hard to get on a trailer so no one worries. There is locks on all the lockers with the tack but all of the girls that ride all know each others lock combination. :)