There are several things equine owners can do to improve barn security at the stable where they keep their horses. There are bad apples in every industry, and it is naïve to assume that all horse lovers are automatically honest, trustworthy individuals. Rather than waiting for a thief to strike, it is far more efficient to take precautionary measures against theft.
Padlock Equipment
Barn security starts with where clients store their equipment. From saddles to grooming brushes to chaps and boots, equipment should be stored in a locked container to which only the owner has a key. This might be a locker in the tack room or a tack trunk in front of the stall. If anyone has access, the equipment is a candidate for theft.
Alternatively, stable owners can increase barn security by locking the tack room and giving each customer a key. Although this doesn't protect customers against theft from one another, it does ensure that just anyone cannot walk in off the street and take whatever he finds.
Install Access Gates
The primary goal of barn security is to identify points of vulnerability and eliminate them. The front entrance to a stable's property is usually the most vulnerable because this is where unauthorized individuals gain entry.
The easiest way to improve barn security in this area is to install access gates that require a code for entry. This way, horses and equipment are safe from thieves who want to drive in with a truck or van. This doesn't stop someone from hopping the fence, of course, but it will serve as a deterrent.
When new customers move into the barn, they should be given the code to the access gate and told not to share the code with anyone else. For barn owners who are particularly concerned about security, some gates can be programmed with individual access codes for each individual, and will keep a log of everyone who enters or exits through that gate.
Establish 24-Hour Security
One of the best ways to improve barn security is to have someone living on the property full-time. This could be a stable manager, a security officer, the owners of the barn or even a stable hand. Theft will become less of an issue because thieves will not take the chance that they might be caught. Just make sure that everyone knows you have 24-hour security.
Consider Surveillance
If 24-hour security isn't feasible, the next best thing for barn security is to install some form of surveillance. Security cameras work well for this purpose, and are far less expensive than they were just a few years ago. They can be hooked up in entrances to the barn, and will show the identities of individuals who enter the property.
If you are worried about protecting horses and equipment from thieves, the best way to combat the threat is to beef up barn security. Once you implement these security measures, both barn owners and clients can sleep more soundly knowing their property is safe.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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