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Yesterday, I couldnt find my grandfather's horse's new halter. I asked my grandfather and he said that our agistment owner's relative's steal our things. He said they take our leadropes and they ride our horses.

I recently got this grey Standardbred filly since the loss of my riding mare. Anyway yesterday, the guy's grandson said " I was going to ride that grey filly yesterday but there wasnt a saddle around"

I was so mad that he could think he could ride my horse without my permission. I cant even do anything about it because my grandfather will tell me off if I say something.

I told him that she wasnt broken then he started talking about breaking her in. I wish he rode her, knowning her she would of been bucking and kicking him if he tried to get on evil


I was planning to grab a silver permantent marker and write the horse's name on their halter to try and stop the halter theiving.

Have any of you experinced this crap?

eek
Whoa, I thought the place where I board was bad but thats just sad of someone to do that. Besides all those things you have mentioned, your horse could of picked up a bad habit from those riders like my old gelding did.

Least you got out of that place before anything bad happened

i would put a small post-it note on the stall saying "if this isn't your horse, don't ride it"

there was a few boys who randomly hopped up on the farm's horses while they were tethered to a fence, waiting for a trail ride. I went up to them yelling "WHat the ******** do you think you're doing?!" and they went "duuhhh. we're allowed to! We saw OTHER kids sitting on them earlier!"
I said "uhhh, I dont think so, buddy, I work here. The people you saw sitting on them were probably the workers."
and he gave me lip and said I couldnt do anything about it. Then I told his mom that he wasnt allowed to come on the ride, and she made him sit in their car while we went on the ride. Good ole justice.

there was also a time when I went to go ride Cheye and there was a large teenage boy holding to her by a lead shank, and he had a stick in his hand. Another teenage boy (VERY tall; about 6'5") was on her back. And he was very bulky, and Cheye is only 14.3hh. The one was making her run in circles and whipping her haunches. I RAN up to them, the one her back swore and leapt off, and ran, but the other guy didn't turn until I was halfway into the punch. I broke his nose and put several bruises on him before he was able to up and run away. Then I picked the stick up and ran after him as far as the fence, whipping his a**.

Nobody messes with my horse and comes away unscathed.

I've been lucky enough to not have any of my things 'borrowed' or stolen, but then again I do not make myself a target.
I put my name on everything - even my grooming brushes. If possible, I try to purchase things in bright colors or patterns, or something unlike anything else seen at the barn. At my stable, I'm the only one with an English cross-country silk helmet cover (with stripes and a ribbon bow in the front), and everyone knows it's my helmet. One time, when I had left it at the hitching rail, and forgot it, one lady I didn't even know found me and returned my helmet. Having items that are unique in some way can help deter theives.

If you have a sewing machine with embroidery options, you can try embroidering your name or initals onto your saddlepads, polo wraps, clothes, blankets etc.

Plus, don't make yourself a target for theift or horse 'borrowing'. In past barns I've noticed that the horses and equipment that were often 'borrowed' belonged to younger children and teens who often acted immaturely and were quite loud, or people at the opposite end of the spectrum - those who were meek, uber quiet, and seemed that they would not protest (not saying any members of this thread act as such). Be respectful at your barn, but don't be a doormat either.

And, um...I don't think violence is the way to go either. Whipping, punching, swearing and general f**k-uppage of the accused is not civil. It instantly reveals your character and poise (or lack thereof), as well as the possiblity of getting you in major trouble. If I heard of anyone violently assaulting my friends or family, even if they were riding a horse that wasn't theirs, I would simply sue their arses. And in court, I believe being assulated is slightly more serious than a ride on someone else's horse.

Just calling the police should do the job. wink

That's the reason I switched barns. And I am so glad I did.

If someone abused your horse (and I mean really abused, not just sat on and rode him badly) by all means take pictures and go to the authorities.

But - life is not one of those numerous police/crime shows you see on TV. You just can't walk up and punch someone. That's called 'assault', and it generally is taken more seriously than animal mistreatment. If you are not a minor, you can go to jail for assault. And believe me, you WILL care when you are sitting in a jail cell.

Even in argicultural/horsie areas where animals 'rule', there is still no exuse for excessive violence.
This world is already so full of violence and hate - not just in our daily lives, but in the media (which misleads so many people into thinking violence is 'justified') Think about it. The jews were holding most of the money in Germany; okay, let's get rid of them. We are 'justified'. The Hutus are not like the Tutsis. Okay, let's chop them and their families to death. We're justifed. That man is gay. Let's bash his a**. That woman doesn't share my beliefs, let's discriminate. That man is sitting on my pony and hitting her rump. Let me bash his face in.

I know we all love horses. I love horses with a passion that I have had ever since I first laid eyes on them. But in America, horses are not sacred. They are livestock/beasts of burden/pets/ even food. Humans rule. You can not assault humans. The only time that violence is 'justifed' is when that other human is at your neck with a knife, about to maim, rape, or kill you.