Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2015 | Page 69

EQUESTRIAN

Stay alert
to avoid

horse crime
this season
W
ith many horse riders contemplating
the purchase of new and expensive tack
ahead of the competition season, NFU
Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, is urging
riders to keep an eye out for potential thieves.
Riders will typically attend a competition with
thousands of pounds worth of equipment. With all
eyes on you as you enter the ring, remember some
people might be more interested in your tack than
your performance.
John Heather, Senior Agent at NFU Mutual on the
Isle of Wight, said: “Tack theft is a constant worry for
horse owners and the theft of these essential items
is a blow to the rider’s pockets, particularly if the
items are uninsured or underinsured.
“It is important that riders review their insurance
policies to make sure that they have the right level
of cover in place for their tack. The cost of the
individual components such as stirrup leathers and
irons can quickly mount up. To help avoid theft,
horse owners are reminded to keep their horsebox
or car and trailer locked at all times when attending
a show and to consider security marking their tack.”
Rural theft cost the UK an estimated £44.5 million
during 2013. According to NFU Mutual’s claims
data, the cost of equine related thefts has risen
by an astonishing 45 per cent, now totalling over
£1.9m and the number of thefts has also increased
by 16 per cent. Horse tack and equipment thefts
accounted for 19 per cent of all equine theft claims
and horseboxes and trailer 69 per cent.

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