The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Hardfeather on April 26, 2010, 10:24:46 am

Title: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Hardfeather on April 26, 2010, 10:24:46 am
I missed it, but there was a report on radio Scotland this morning re the above.

Does anyone have any information?
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: egglady on April 26, 2010, 12:10:33 pm
no but we have horses too, so i'm eager to hear the news.  it is possible to listen to it on the radio equivalent of i-player i wonder?
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Wizard on April 26, 2010, 12:17:20 pm
Have you Googled BBC Radio Scotland News? Oh dear!
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: egglady on April 26, 2010, 12:21:54 pm
i found this if it's of any help:
http://www.fife.police.uk/Default.aspx?page=4415
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Daisy on April 26, 2010, 01:24:58 pm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8644044.stm
the same as AengusOg found

I think a lot of people have been mistaking the wind made twists/plaits for these marking plaits though, but it's still a worry. I get suspicious if I see a car I don't know parked next to the field, esp if it then drives off as I appear.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: CameronS on April 26, 2010, 05:35:53 pm
I had heard that aswell, only from a friend working at Edenside stables.

have a niggeling idea about a black vehicle being used,
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Roxy on April 26, 2010, 06:12:51 pm
We had this story round here, of horses with plaits, to mark the ones they wanted to steal, and suspicious vehicles seen here, there and everywhere........most of my ponies have plaits, and this is caused by them grooming each other.  I am not saying its untrue, but, I have not heard of any of the horses with the plaits actually having been stolen.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: jameslindsay on April 26, 2010, 06:17:26 pm
Our friend the animal welfare officer for Fife confirmed that this is happening and that the manes are being plaited or trimmed as a sign.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Roxy on April 26, 2010, 06:25:18 pm
The thieves will be very confused then if they come in my fields, and look for the one with plaits ......they all have the plait and are all black, and look exactly the same.  Mine are microchipped as a foal, as this is done via the breed society.  It will not deter thieves though, as you cannot see it like a brand mark.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: daniellestocks on April 26, 2010, 07:09:28 pm
I think its been happening alot all over the country, i often read the stolen etc, section of the horse and hound forum, also i think they have just been plaiting and none stolen  ???
danielle
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: littlelisa on April 26, 2010, 08:59:20 pm
we have had this a lot in hampshire. dont think anyone really knows whats going on!!
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Hardfeather on April 26, 2010, 10:34:27 pm
I don't know anything about plaits in the marking of horses to be stolen, but I do know the difference between a plait and windtugs.

It's only a matter of weeks till Appleby fair. There are horses stolen every year at this time, and some of them will be sold at Appleby. Others may be destined for Ireland, perhaps to be sold at Ballinasloe later in the year.

It's coloured cobs I keep, so I am particularly careful about their security. Anyone trying to steal mine would have to pass my house to get to them, and the way the neighbours are fenced would make it extremely difficult to take them out any other way. However, I never say 'never'.

I've had travellers in my field (where I kept horses years ago) taking photos of my youngsters and, when challenged, they just walked away. I don't know what that was all about to this day. Several weeks later the tails were cut from three of my four horses. The police weren't interested. I moved my horses immediately. Within a week there were other horses in the vacated field.

Four are inside at the moment, for the first time in ten years, due to that awful storm of a few weeks ago. That worries me too. Although they are right next to the farm house of my landlord, they are all in one place and could be stolen easier, I think, than if they were out. My young colt is still out during the day and stabled next to the house at night.

It's grass sickness weather at the moment here, and I'm worried about putting them back out because of that too. I've already heard of two GS deaths near here in the past week.

Does anyone want to buy some horses? ::)
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Hardfeather on April 26, 2010, 10:50:55 pm
Thanks for the links, daisy and egglady.

It's laughable that they say that it's not only 'expensive thoroughbreds' which are at risk. Tbs are probably the least likey to be stolen. Many native breeds and cobs are worth much more money than the finer breeds.

Typical BBC going off half cocked and getting the basic facts wrong.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: beany on April 27, 2010, 08:42:54 am
Please take this seriously when have you ever known the police to get involved in any thing horsey. I have contacts in the police and most rural based police forces are taking the plaits as serious. As for them being wind plaits I have seen 4 of these plaits that have been cut from horses and they are def man made. They tend to be plaited down for about 3 - 4 inches and then extra hair pulled out and wound round the bottom of the plait to keep them in. Its gypsy spring fair time now so they are all moving around the country picking up things as they go. 3 horses were stolen in lanark last year just before Appleby. They stole a fell mare from Cumbria which has only just been found after 10 months in Kent. As for the arguement that no horses with plaits in have been taken how do you know that once they are gone, they could have been plaited and no one noticed. These people are very good at what they do and the thing to remember is if some one can get access to your horses for whatever reason without being detected then your security is not good enough and you need to do something about it!!!!
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Daisy on April 27, 2010, 09:05:05 am

Beany, thanks for the description of the plaits, it's good to know what to look for  :wave:

I've seen on other forums pics that people think are these "marking plaits" but are obviously wind plaits, that is why I mentioned it.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: doganjo on April 27, 2010, 10:17:46 am
Photos of both on here might be useful if anyone can do them
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Hardfeather on April 27, 2010, 10:25:31 am
I should have started this in the horsey bit. I'll start another thread there cos I'm interested in your views on a few other things.  :)
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Daisy on April 27, 2010, 11:06:33 am
Give it a few days and I'm sure Prince will oblige with a wind plait
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: beany on April 27, 2010, 11:30:39 am
I dont have any pics unfortunatley just what I've been shown by people.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Rosemary on April 27, 2010, 05:20:56 pm
Smokey's branded on his shoulder, so hopefully, they wouldn't take him. Worrying though.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: egglady on April 27, 2010, 07:59:25 pm
i have a coloured show cob, gypsy type so now I'm really worried, and he's really friendly and trusting....... :'(
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: beany on April 29, 2010, 08:59:42 am
Get him freeze marked and then at least you will have piece of mind.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Wizard on April 29, 2010, 09:04:51 am
I have just wrote to you lass's about freeze branding and posted That red message was on my screen again and my post was not on Anyone care to tell me why?I have asked before but no answers
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: beany on April 29, 2010, 09:22:41 am
No idea I have enough trouble just getting the post on the site.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: egglady on April 29, 2010, 09:41:20 am
why does life have to be so complicated sometimes! 
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: doganjo on April 29, 2010, 10:41:49 am
I have just wrote to you lass's about freeze branding and posted That red message was on my screen again and my post was not on Anyone care to tell me why?I have asked before but no answers
George, the red message is just telling you that someone got in before you with a post.  All you have to do is carry on, finish your own message and post if as normal.  If you then go back into that thread you should then see that the post before yours is a new one.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Wizard on April 29, 2010, 01:25:52 pm
Hello Annie No it's different.I type my post and press post My post acts as if it's gone but The red message appears but my post has gone, lost I don't quite understand it at all
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Daisys Mum on April 29, 2010, 03:17:31 pm

In the last few weeks we have had 4 dogs stolen from this area they have just been taken from their gardens.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: beany on April 30, 2010, 08:53:54 am
Were they chipped? unfortunatley I don't think you can freeze mark a dog. I have heard they steal dogs and then hold them for ransom.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: Daisys Mum on April 30, 2010, 11:39:40 am

Don't think they were chipped, but the owner of 2 of the dogs had been aproached by 2 rough looking men a few days before just outside her house. They took the 2 young dogs, 1 a labrador and the other a terrier and left the old dog behind.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: beany on April 30, 2010, 09:20:29 pm
Definetly pykies by the sound of it. If they put up posters saying reward offered they will probably get a phone call saying they have found the dogs and will return them for a fee.
Title: Re: Horse thefts in Fife
Post by: sabrina on May 01, 2010, 09:20:48 am
Just heard from a neighbour yesterday that a horse has been stolen in our area, my lot are still coming in a night due to lack of grass. We have camera's all over the place and have over the years caught a few strange looking people wandering about the road. Getting near our house and stables would be difficult due to my dogs who let us know the second a car is coming up our farm road. Most people are just lost and looking for the local b&b but it does help having the dogs who are outside all day. As for stealing them, well I cannot see anyone being brave enough to tackle 2 German Shepherds and a Jack Russell. The three of them are trained the same as police dogs. ;D