Tack-theft prevention highlighted as saddles stolen at major show

Trackers, chips and postcode stamps all have pros and cons for those trying to protect their tack

- BECKY MURRAY

THE pros and cons of different theft deterrents have been discussed following the thefts of a number of saddles from horseboxes at a high-profile show.

On the weekend of the Keysoe Winter Classic (4–7 November) thieves broke into multiple lorry tack lockers during the night and stole saddles, some of which had trackers fitted. An investigation by Bedfordshire Police is ongoing.

Ellen Lutener, whose son and daughter were competing at Keysoe, had four Devoucoux saddles, with stirrups attached, stolen from their tack locker while they slept.

“You hear of these things happening but you don’t think it’s going to happen to you. The saddles were personalized and had names stamped into them, which you would think would put people off. We have now bought an alarm for the tack lockers which runs off solar panels,” Ellen told H&H.